How to become a qualified nurse -

To become a registered nurse you must complete a bachelor of Nursing at university. The degree takes three years full time. Nursing degrees can be combined with a range of other degrees at some universities, including law, arts and other health sciences. Midwives typically complete a nursing degree before doing a postgraduate course in midwifery.

There are at least 9 universities that offer nursing in New South Wales and the ACT, offering over 3000 nursing places.

A bachelor of nursing from any university in New South Wales or the ACT is recognised Australia-wide and internationally.

Enrolled nurses must have a qualification from TAFE, which takes one year to complete. The qualification is a certificate IV in Nursing. This course is recognised Australia – wide and will allow you to practice in many countries around the world.
The great thing about this certificate is that it is free (paid by the state government) and you are also paid for your 1300 clinical hours as a trainee enrolled nurse. This course can also give you accelerated entry into a Bachelor of Nursing at University, while allowing you to work as an enrolled nurse throughout your degree.

Recently the Nurses’ and midwives’ registration board in NSW allowed enrolled nurses to dispense certain medications if they have a special qualification called ‘endorsement’. The endorsement is now a component of the TAFE enrolled nursing courses, so all new graduates will be endorsed enrolled nurses.

For experienced enrolled nurses, a TAFE course is available to give you the extra endorsement qualification, which also gives you a higher rate of pay.

University entrance requirements -

School leavers: the UAI for secondary school students for a Bachelor of Nursing may differ depending on the university. The UAI may range between 60 and 82.

If you are over the age of 21 you qualify as a mature age entry into university, you still apply through UAC, but universities might ask you to write a submission or go for an interview.

To be accepted into the certificate IV in Nursing course to qualify you as an enrolled nurse, you must be over the age of 17, hold a current senior first aid certificate, and be healthy to practice as a nurse.