Nursing Courses in Australia

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NURSING COURSES IN AUSTRALIA

Find and compare nursing courses and qualifications from around Australia

 

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Study Nursing

Are you interested in starting a career in nursing? Or perhaps you’re searching for a nursing course that will extend your existing skills and experience?

With so many different options to choose from, finding the best nursing course for you can be a challenging experience. That’s where we can help! NursingCourses.net.au is Australia’s only website dedicated to providing a comprehensive collection of nursing courses to help you make a more informed decision about what you can study.

Becoming a nurse is a highly rewarding career. Not only will you impact the lives of others, you will be exposed to a challenging, secure, and progressive career, with countless pathways and advancement opportunities to explore. And with 11 of Australia’s universities falling into the world’s top 50 for nursing, you can be sure you’ll be learning from the best.

Nursing Qualifications

Bachelor of Nursing Degrees

A Bachelor of Nursing is a 3-year degree preparing you to become a Registered Nurse in the Australian healthcare environment. It involves a mix of theoretical and practical learning from both universities and healthcare facilities.

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Master of Nursing Degrees

A Master of Nursing is a qualification aimed at Registered Nurses wishing to extend their knowledge and skills within a particualr area of nursing, such as leadership or a clinical specialisation. You will learn advanced theory and practical skills that will better position you as a future leader or specialist.

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Diploma of Nursing

The Diploma of Nursing is an 18-month course that prepares you for being an Enrolled Nurse. The diploma course will teach you the practical skills needed to provide patient care underneath the supervision of a Registered Nurse.

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How to become a nurse

In Australia, you can choose to become either an Enrolled Nurse or a Registered Nurse. Enrolled nurses are responsible for providing patient care under the supervision of a Registered Nurse, while Registered Nurses have more advanced knoweledge and responsibilities. Both require the completion of a nationally accredited qualification that teaches a blend of theory and practical learning. At the end of which, you may then register as a nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) to start practicing.

Enrolled nurse

Qualification: Diploma of Nursing

Duration: ~18-months full-time

Cost: Free – $35,000

To become an Enrolled Nurse you must complete a Diploma of Nursing at TAFE or and RTO. Through this course, you will learn how to provide nursing care in a variety of settings under the supervision of a Registered Nurse. The nursing diploma is shorter than a bachelor’s degree and usually takes 18 months if you study full-time.

Registered nurse

Qualification: Bachelor of Nursing

Duration: ~3 years full-time

Cost: $12,000 – $20,000 CSP

To become a Registered Nurse you must complete a Bachelor of Nursing degree. This tertiary-level qualification gives you the skills needed to care for patients with more complex needs and opens up the possibility for advanced or specialised nursing positions. The degree typically takes three years to complete when studied full-time.

Types of Nurses

Nursing is a diverse profession that provides you with the opportunity to specialise in areas that align with your interests and strengths. The various specialisations cater to the unique needs of patients, ensuring that they receive the best possible care and support. These specialisations include critical care, emergency, mental health, pediatrics, and more.

Specialising in a particular area of nursing allows you to deepen your knowledge and skills in a specific area, leading to further education, advancement, and growth in their careers. The wide range of specialisations available provides a number of pathways for you to achieve job satisfaction in a challenging and rewarding role.

Nursing Industry

Nursing in Australia is a growing sector, experiencing increased demand due to the ageing population and the impact of COVID-19. According to the Australian Government Department of Health, there were over 300,000 nurses in Australia in 2021, and the number is expected to increase in the future to meet the growing demand.

Nursing offers various career pathways, including specialisations in areas such as critical care, emergency, and mental health, with opportunities for further education and advancement. The average nurse earns a salary of $85,000 per annum and receives various benefits such as flexible working hours and paid leave. The nursing industry provides a valuable service to the community, and job satisfaction is high among nurses who are making a significant impact on people’s lives.

Average salary

EN
Enrolled ($63,000)
RN
Registered ($80,000)
NP
Practitioner ($130,000)

Events

At 10:30 am
The National Nursing Forum 2023

The National Nursing Forum (NNF) is the Australian College of Nursing’s signature annual event bringing together nurses from around the country and across the globe.

Frequently Asked Questions

You can become an Enrolled Nurse by completing a 18-month Diploma of Nursing with an approved education provider. Alternatively you can become a Registered Nurse by completing a Bachelor of Nursing.
The average registered nurse will earn about $81,000 per annum, with graduate positions beginning from around $60,000. Nursing salaries will vary from state to state, with QLD nurses typically earning the highest compensation. Salaries will also depend on whether you are in management or specialised in a focal area.
There are many types of nursing courses, but the most prominent are the Diploma and Bachelors of Nursing. You must have one of these qualification to practice as a nurse in the Australian healthcare system. Beyond that, nurses may choose to specialise in a given area by studying a Graduate Certificate. This is not always a requirement but highly desired by employers looking for a specific type of nurse. This can range from aged-care, theatre, intensive-care, paediatric, midwifery, and mental health to name a few.
Depending on what level of nurse you want to become, your studies will be at least 18-months to be an Enrolled Nurse. If you decided to study a Bachelor Nursing, this will take you 3 years to complete.