Becoming a Registered Nurse

Registered Nurses are highly sought after within Australia and around the world and can choose from a wide range of career opportunities including Coronary Care, Child & Family Health, Rural and Remote Community Nursing, Midwifery, Emergency Nursing, Mental Health, Intensive Care, Occupational Health, Surgical Nursing or Rehabilitation.

To become a Registered Nurse you will need to complete a Bachelor of Nursing course at university. There are 9 universities in NSW offering Bachelor of Nursing courses (three years full-time or the equivalent part-time).

These courses provide a mixture of theory and nursing clinical experience in a range of settings, including medical and surgical wards, emergency departments, paediatric wards, operating theatres, mental health units, rehabilitation, aged care facilities, intensive care units and Aboriginal and community health.

You may also gain some of your experience in simulation laboratories, practising your clinical skills on 'high tech' manequins, under the guidance of university educators. As a student you will be exposed to a broad range of clinical areas and settings, giving you the chance to discover what area of nursing you like the best. The application process can be viewed at www.uac.edu.au

Entry is not based just on HSC results. Applicants are assessed on their ability to complete the study as well as any past education and work experience.

Most universities offer alternative admission programs for Aboriginal applicants that include one-week residential programs where applicants are brought to the campus to take part in an orientation, assessment and introductory course. These entry programs are all offered free of charge to Aboriginal students.

All universities have an Aboriginal Education Centre that provides a home away from home for students. Most of these education centres have study rooms, access to tutors and a common room where students can socialise with other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and staff. These centres can provide a great deal of support and friendship for Aboriginal students, ensuring that university life is as enjoyable and easy as possible.

As a Registered Nurse you will have the opportunity to move around when it suits you, choose where you work and gain experience working in other healthcare systems. If you want to discover the types of jobs which are currently available for Registered Nurses have a look at the employment section of the NSW Health website at: www.health.nsw.gov.au/jobs

Further information about alternative entry programs for Aboriginal students is available through the Aboriginal Education Centres at each university.