How to become a nurse

Provide compassionate care and support across diverse healthcare settings, making a meaningful impact on patients' lives.

Nurses are the backbone of the healthcare system, providing essential support, compassion, and expertise to patients and their families. In Australia, the demand for skilled nurses is ever-growing, offering a rewarding career path that combines clinical knowledge with the human touch. Whether you're interested in working in hospitals, community health, or specialised fields, becoming a nurse allows you to make a real difference every day.

Becoming a nurse

In Australia there are two main types of nurses: a Registered Nurse (RN) and an Enrolled Nurse (EN).

To become a Registered Nurse in Australia, you must successfully complete a Bachelor of Nursing degree accredited by the Australia Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC).

To become an Enrolled Nurse in Australia, you must successfully complete a Diploma of Nursing.

Before you begin your course you must show evidence of a completed adult vaccination program and receive a Working With Children Check and a National Police Check. These checks will need to be current throughout your entire course.

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Two RMIT nursing students in a hospital room setting

Diploma of Nursing

Through on-campus simulation laboratories and industry placements, you will build knowledge and skills in a practical learning environment, ensuring you'll graduate ready to help others.

RMIT nursing students gain real-life practical experience

Bachelor of Nursing

Through your study, you will be prepared for diverse and complex healthcare environments in both metropolitan and rural areas. You will spend time in the lab, explore mental health nursing, learn about indigenous health, and have your professional development supported to prepare you for a fulfilling career.

A RMIT mental health nursing student sitting with a patient

Master of Mental Health Nursing

Expand your nursing qualifications and study advanced individual and group counselling, mental health treatment, contemporary nursing issues, global health, physical health assessment, psychopharmacology, leadership, clinical teaching, mentorship, and research.

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Apply for registration

Upon graduation you must then apply for registration with the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) to become an officially Registered or Enrolled Nurse in Australia. When applying for registration, in addition to completing your course, graduates will need to meet all registration standards set by the NMBA. Refer to the NMBA Registration Standards for further information.

What does a nurse do?

A nurse plays a crucial role in the healthcare system by providing patient care, support, and education. Their responsibilities include assessing and monitoring patients' health, administering medications and treatments, and collaborating with doctors and other healthcare professionals to develop and implement care plans. Nurses also offer emotional support to patients and their families, helping them understand medical conditions and treatment options. Whether working in hospitals, clinics, or community settings, nurses are dedicated to promoting health, preventing illness, and ensuring that patients receive the best possible care.

What is the difference between a Registered Nurse and an Enrolled Nurse?

A Registered Nurse has completed a Bachelor of Nursing, which provides comprehensive training in clinical skills, patient care, and medical knowledge. RNs have a broader scope of practice, allowing them to perform complex procedures, make critical decisions, and take on leadership roles within healthcare teams. They are often responsible for developing and managing patient care plans, administering medications, and supervising other nursing staff, including Enrolled Nurses.

An Enrolled Nurse, on the other hand, has completed a Diploma of Nursing, which takes less time than a bachelor's degree. ENs work under the supervision of RNs and other healthcare professionals. Their duties include providing basic patient care, such as monitoring vital signs, assisting with daily activities, and administering medications as directed by an RN. While they have a more limited scope of practice compared to RNs, Enrolled Nurses play an essential role in delivering hands-on care and supporting the overall healthcare team.

Both RNs and ENs are vital to the healthcare system, each bringing their unique skills and expertise to ensure patients receive quality care.

Common tasks, duties, and responsibilities

Nurses perform a wide range of tasks, duties, and responsibilities to ensure the well-being of their patients such as:

Assess and monitor patient health
Administer medication and treatment
Develop and implement patient care plans
Provide emotional support and education
Maintain detailed patient records
Advocate for patients
Promote health and prevent illness.

Where do nurses work?

Nursing is an essential profession with a high number of employees in Australia and around the world. As a nursing graduate, you have excellent employment prospects in a diverse range of metropolitan, rural, remote, and overseas healthcare settings, including:

Public and private hospitals
Community and public health
Acute care nursing
Mental health nursing
Aged-care nursing
Specialty support services
Industry and school health nursing
Healthcare organisations in other countries.

How much do nurses earn?

The median full-time weekly earnings for a registered nurse in Australia is $2,156* and $1,618* per week for an enrolled nurse.

*Source: www.jobsandskills.gov.au 2023

Learn more about your nursing study options

Whether you're a Year 12 student weighing up your options or thinking about switching careers, RMIT's nursing courses provide a comprehensive and industry-focused education that can help you succeed as a nurse in Australia.

Explore RMIT's nursing courses

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

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