Nursing is a popular skilled profession that presents many opportunities to individuals who pursue it. According to research by Health Workforce Australia, Australia will face a shortage of nurses of over 123,000 people by 2030. This demand is further fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Besides that, 2020 studies by ABC show that 88% of nursing graduates were employed within four months of graduation. So if you’re considering a career in nursing, the employment outlook is positive. Here are the different types of nursing degrees and courses available.
Enrolled Nurse vs Registered Nurse
The nursing education pathway depends on the type of nurses you’d like to be. Nurses can mainly be classified as enrolled nurses or registered nurses.
Enrolled Nurse
Enrolled nurses perform duties such as helping patients move, assisting registered nurses and doctors with procedures, and recording patients’ health data such as blood sugar levels and temperature. Enrolled nurses are typically supervised by registered nurses when performing their duties.
To become an enrolled nurse, you must:
- Have a nursing degree – a diploma in nursing as a minimum
- Register with the Australian Health Regulations Agency and renew your practice annually.
As an enrolled nurse, you may also choose to advance and pursue a career as a registered nurse.
Registered Nurse
Registered nurses perform more specialised and complex nursing duties. Their roles also expand into areas such as administration and team leadership. Being a registered nurse is suitable for individuals who prefer more challenging positions in nursing, as they have more autonomy in their jobs. A registered nurse can also choose to further specialise in nursing areas such as Paediatrics, Mental Health, and Aged Care.
To become a registered nurse, you must:
- Have a nursing degree – a bachelor’s degree in nursing as a minimum
- Register with the Australian Health Regulations Agency and renew your practice annually.
Australian universities offer various nursing courses catered for high school graduates, experienced nurses, and individuals who want a career change. Here are some of the popular degrees and courses and the universities that provide them.
Nursing Diploma Courses
Enrolled nurses must have a Diploma of Nursing certificate. Meanwhile, enrolled nurses who wish to specialise can consider an Advanced Diploma in Nursing.
1. Diploma of Nursing
A Diploma of Nursing course is suitable for school leavers pursuing a career as a nurse. It’s also ideal for individuals who wish to undergo a career change without any experience in healthcare. With this diploma, students will learn basic nursing skills such as administering medicine and IV drips, dressing and caring for wounds, and how to perform health checks on patients.
Generally, the diploma takes around 1.5 to 2 years to complete. Upon graduating with a Diploma of Nursing, students can register as enrolled nurses and work in industries such as aged care, medical centres, and training centres. Graduates who decide to pursue a degree in nursing could be accepted straight into Year 2 of their degree.
Among the popular universities in Australia that offer a Diploma of Nursing are The University of Notre Dame Australia, RMIT University, and TAFE NSW.
2. Advanced Diploma in Nursing
Enrolled nurses who want to upskill and specialise in their nursing practice can consider studying for an Advanced Diploma in Nursing. This advanced diploma can help nurses learn more about a particular area in nursing and help them advance their career goals into leadership or managerial positions.
Some of the areas that students can specialise in with this diploma include mental health, acute care, critical care, and rural and remote nursing. The diploma can range from eight to ten months and can be done through blended or online learning. An Advanced Diploma in Nursing is offered by colleges and training providers such as the Australasian Lawerence Aged Care College and the Education Training & Employment Australia Pty Ltd.
Nursing Degree Courses
Individuals who wish to become a registered nurse must complete a Bachelor in Nursing or a degree in Health Science (Nursing) that’s accredited by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council. The ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) needed to enter a nursing course changes each year, and it’s also different for each university. Hence, it’s best to contact individual universities to understand the minimum score needed to study the program.
There are a few degrees and courses that offer pathways to becoming a registered nurse.
3. Bachelor of Nursing (Pre-registration)
Secondary school students or adult learners without any former experience or knowledge in the nursing field can consider studying for a Bachelor of Nursing (Pre-registration). This three-year course provides students with the knowledge and skills of nurse practice, and graduates are allowed to register as a nurse to AHPRA.
Similar degrees in the nursing field is a Bachelor of Science with a major in nursing, a Bachelor of Nursing, and a Bachelor of Nursing (Advanced Studies). Edith Cowan University has a reputable Bachelor of Science (Nursing) degree program, while the University of Technology Sydney offers a solid Bachelor of Nursing program. Besides that, the University of Sydney also offers a Bachelor of Nursing (Advanced Studies), which allows students to major in a particular nursing field.
4. Bachelor of Nursing (Graduate Entry)
This bachelor’s degree program is catered to individuals who have an existing degree in any field. Although the ‘graduate entry’ program works best for graduates in the field of health, it’s also suitable for individuals who want to pursue a career change into nursing. However, students who have a degree in a related field could complete their degree within two years instead of three.
Students looking for this education pathway can consider the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) program.
5. Bachelor of Nursing (Enrolled Nurse Entry)
This bachelor’s degree is perfect for enrolled nurses who want to advance their career as registered nurses. It’s a two-year program that recognises a nurse’s previous qualifications, and it gives them a shorter pathway to becoming a registered nurse.
For example, Southern Cross University has a suitable Bachelor of Nursing course that enrolled nurses can study full-time or part-time.
6. Bachelor of Nursing & Midwifery
This four-year program equips students with a specialised skill in nursing – midwifery. The Bachelor of Nursing & Midwifery requires at least 480 points to graduate, and students will have to undergo clinical placements during their studies.
Graduates in this degree can work as registered midwives and nurses, and a reputable university offering this course is available at Victoria University, Melbourne.
Postgraduate Nursing Courses
Postgraduates nursing courses are suitable for nursing graduates or experienced nurses with a bachelor’s degree. Some of the common postgraduate studies in this field can be divided into masters, graduate certificates, and doctorates.
7. Masters of Nursing
A Masters of Nursing expands the skills and knowledge learned during the bachelor’s degree. While a degree is a standard prerequisite to study a master’s, some universities also require previous experience as a nurse.
Students can also learn specialised areas of nursing in their master’s degree, such as Clinical Nursing, Midwifery, and Advanced Nursing Practice. A standard master’s degree, such as the one offered at the University of Sydney, takes around one to two years to complete.
8. Graduate Certificate in Nursing
The field of nursing studies offers many types of graduate certificates for experienced nurses with a bachelor’s degree. Taking a graduate certificate helps registered nurses upskill into specific areas and advance their careers,
These courses can run from 6 months to a year, and are often offered part-time. For example, the Australian Catholic University has a great selection of graduate certificates in Clinical Nursing, Mental Health, and Healthcare Ethics.
9. Doctorate in Nursing
Graduates who want to enter into a research-focused pathway in nursing and help develop best nursing practices can enrol into a doctorate course in nursing. A PhD in research will allow graduates and experienced nurses to venture into the academic, business and government industry. More importantly, nurses with PhDs can help societies by improving health and clinical policies through research.
A PhD takes around four years to complete. Students who wish to study a PhD, can consider the University of Newcastle Australia, which offers a PhD of Philosophy (Nursing) and a PhD of Philosophy of (Midwifery) for registered nurses and graduates.
Whether you’re a recent graduate, an experienced nurse, or an individual with no prior qualifications in nursing, there are many pathways available to pursue a career in nursing. To get more information about careers and courses in nursing, sign up for our newsletter today for news updates and career placements tips.