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The Enrolled Nurse (Advanced Practice) position is a new position that is being introduced into Queensland Health facilities. It was developed after an extensive review of the role of the enrolled nurse in Queensland Health and a need to incorporate the position of enrolled nurse into the nursing career structure. The concept of advanced practice was a prominent theme from the focus groups, submissions, literature review and information obtained on the role of the enrolled nurse in other Australian states/territories, which contributed to the development of the role.
Introduction of the role has involved health facilities reviewing the services provided and the most appropriate nurses to deliver them. The positions have been introduced in almost all Health Service Districts in the State, and in many clinical areas including: outpatient clinics, inpatient wards, operating theatres, mental health units and community health facilities. Over 300 Enrolled Nurse (Advanced Practice) roles have appointed during the implementation phase in 2004. The initial appointments were made using closed merit selection processes which was approved by the Department of Industrial Relations. All future appointments will be made using usual open merit selection practices.
Skills and criteria required for Advanced Practice include leadership qualities, clinical competencies related to the clinical speciality of the unit, and an ability to practise more autonomously - with supervision by the Registered Nurse being more often indirect rather than direct. Some areas will require the EN (Advanced Practice) to have medication endorsement and other areas may not.
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