The nurse career structure
The following table outlines the types of duties which may be performed at different levels of nursing classifications.
- Grades 1 - 6
- Grades 7 - 12
Nurse Grade 1 - Assistant In Nursing
An Assistant in Nursing is an employee appointed to that classification which covers work, under the direction and supervision of a Registered Nurse, by an employee who is required to assist in the performance of nursing duties.
Pay Point Level
Nurse Grade 1 – 1 to 6 (Pay point levels relate to years of experience)
Nurse Grade 3 - Enrolled Nurse
An Enrolled Nurse is an employee appointed to that classification which covers work by an employee:
- whose training or education is deemed satisfactory for the purposes of enrolment on a register or roll as a nurse other than a Registered Nurse (as defined); and
- who is subject to the regulations and by-laws of the Queensland Nursing Council and who holds a current annual licence certificate as such.
Pay Point Level
Nurse Grade 3 – 1 to 5 (Pay point levels relate to years of experience)
Nurse Grade 4 - Enrolled Nurse Advanced Practice
An Enrolled Nurse (EN) (Advanced Practice) is an Enrolled Nurse who demonstrates advanced practice within each of the following four domains:
- Care Delivery/Clinical Responsibilities
- Learning and Inquiry
- Leadership Responsibilities
- Networks, Partnerships and Teamwork Responsibilities
Pay Point Level
Nurse Grade 4 – 1 to 2 (Pay point levels relate to years of experience)
Nurse Grade 5 - Registered Nurse/Midwife Only
A Registered Nurse is a nurse licensed to practise nursing without supervision and who assumes accountability and responsibility for own actions and acts to rectify unsafe nursing practice and/or unprofessional conduct. It is essential that the nurse is registered by the Queensland Nursing Council and holds a current practising certificate.
The degree of expertise will increase as the Registered Nurse advances through this level.
The nurse may be a beginning practitioner or a Registered Nurse returning to the field after a period of absence.
A Midwife (Only) is a midwife who has attained a sole undergraduate degree in midwifery and is licensed by the Queensland Nursing Council to practise midwifery without supervision and who assumes accountability and responsibility for own actions and acts to rectify unsafe midwifery practice and/or unprofessional conduct.
The degree of expertise will increase as the Midwife (Only) advances through this level.
Pay Point Level
- Nurse Grade 5 – re-entry to 7 (Pay point levels relate to years of experience)
- Nurse Grade 5 - 1 to 3
Nurse Grade 6 - Clinical Nurse, Clinical Midwife
A Clinical Nurse/Midwife means a Registered Nurse or Midwife who is appointed as such.
The Clinical Nurse/Midwife role requires a broad developing knowledge in professional nursing issues and a sound specific knowledge-base in relation to a field of practice. The Clinical Nurse assumes accountability and responsibility for own actions and acts to rectify unsafe nursing practice and/or unprofessional conduct.
A Clinical Nurse/Midwife is responsible for a specific client population, and is able to function in more complex situations while providing support and direction to a Registered Nurse and other non-registered nursing personnel.
The Clinical Nurse/Midwife identifies, selects, implements and evaluates nursing interventions that have less predictable outcomes.
Pay Point Level
Nurse Grade 6 – 1 to 4 (Pay point levels relate to years of experience)
