How to become a nurse

Key career takeaways

• Salary of A$1,426 (enrolled nurse) – $1,909 (registered nurse) (median rates per week)*

• Very strong future growth. Over the next 5 years, there is expected to be 14,000 job openings for enrolled nurses and 147,000 for registered nurses*

• Due to the high demand for nurses, unemployment is low among enrolled and registered nurses.*

If you are searching for a career that is both personally and professionally rewarding, allows you to help and care for people that are most in need, and provides work opportunities around the world, a career as a registered or enrolled nurse could be exactly what you’re looking for.

*Data sourced from JobOutlook.gov.au.

What it takes to become a registered or enrolled nurse

The first thing you’ll want to consider is whether you want to become a registered nurse or an enrolled nurse?

What is a registered nurse? Most nurses working in Australia are registered nurses. As a registered nurse you’ll assess and manage a patient’s healthcare: administering medication, monitoring their health and caring for them. A registered nurse has a higher level of responsibility and accountability than an enrolled nurse and can manage a unit or team. To become a registered nurse you’ll need a Bachelor of Nursing. 

What is an enrolled nurse? Enrolled nurses play a crucial role in providing healthcare to patients working under the supervision of a registered nurse. As an enrolled nurse you’ll be able to work in most healthcare settings — you’ll assess, plan and implement care for patients. To become an enrolled nurse you’ll need a Diploma of Nursing.

How to become a registered nurse (RN)

1. Apply for a Bachelor of Nursing

To become a registered nurse, you’ll need to successfully complete your Bachelor of Nursing. Start your journey into nursing with our Bachelor of Nursing.

2. Get your vaccinations and a Working with Children and Police Check

Once your application is accepted and before you enrol in classes you’ll need to apply for your  Working With Children Check and National Police Check. These checks will need to be current throughout your entire course. 

You’ll also need to show evidence of a completed adult vaccination program before you can begin clinical placements.

3. Study a Bachelor of Nursing

Now that you’ve applied and enrolled you need to actually study how to be a nurse!  At Swinburne, our Bachelor of Nursing degree combines practical clinical experience and theory to give you the vital skills you need to work in operating theatres, emergency departments, aged care facilities and more. You’ll learn from experienced staff, use state-of-the-art technology and actually complete 800 hours in placements across various clinical settings, so you can get a real taste of what it’s like to be a nurse. 

4. Register with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)

Once you complete your course, you need to apply to the AHPRA to practice as a registered nurse. You’ll need to renew this registration annually.

Then, you’ll be a registered nurse and a career of bringing comfort, care and quality of life to people will begin.