One Profession, Two Ways of Thinking: Challenges in Developing Australia's Nursing Workforce.

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Health Workforce Development
• Curriculum Studies

Background:

• Australia's nursing education landscape is divided between vocational education and training (VET) and higher education.
• This binary system creates distinct curriculum models for Enrolled Nurses (ENs) and Registered Nurses (RNs).
• While intended to facilitate career pathways, the differing curricula present challenges for nurse progression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the impact of competency-based curricula on EN education and career progression.
• To examine the barriers ENs face when transitioning to RN roles.
• To advocate for curriculum harmonization to enhance nursing education and professional coherence.

Main Methods:

• Discursive analysis of the competency-based curriculum model in Australian nursing education.
• Examination of educational and career pathways for Enrolled Nurses.
• Discussion of the implications for the nursing profession in intensified and globalized work environments.

Main Results:

• The competency-based curriculum creates significant barriers for ENs aspiring to become RNs.
• The binary education system undermines the learning trajectories of nurses.
• The current curriculum model threatens the coherence of the nursing profession.

Conclusions:

• Curriculum harmonization is essential to address the challenges in Australian nursing education.
• Addressing these educational disparities will support nurse development and strengthen the profession.
• A unified approach to nursing curriculum is needed to meet contemporary workforce demands.