Undergraduate registered nursing students working as assistants in nursing within the acute care environment: Program development and discussion

Abstract Background Most pre-registration nursing students require employment during their studies which may entail undertaking another qualification. This paper describes how one university developed a program whereby undergraduate nursing students complete the national vocational education – HLT33115 Assistant in Nursing qualification through recognition of prior learning, a self-directed education package and completion of an objective structured clinical examination. Objective To discuss the development of an ‘Assistant in Nursing' in the acute care environment program for pre-registration undergraduate nursing degree students using the national vocational education framework. Design This program maps the national ‘Assistant in Nursing- Acute Care' vocational qualification to the pre-registration registered nurse degree. Upon successful completion of this program students can work as Assistants in Nursing within the acute care environment. Conclusions This program enables student nurses to work as Assistants in Nursing within the acute care environment. This provides employment in a health facility and opportunities for students to immerse themselves in the clinical environment whilst continuing their studies. This may assist students to gain a deeper insight into their future role as a nurse, build networks within the nursing community and assimilate into the clinical environment. This program design may prove useful as a template for other nursing faculties wishing to implement a similar program.