Diploma of Nursing
Nursing stands out as one of the most sought-after professions in Australia and globally.
It holds a prominent position as a fulfilling and impactful career path for numerous individuals. If you find joy in providing care for others and seek a meaningful role within the nursing sector, pursuing a Diploma of Nursing offers an excellent foundation to pursue your career goals. This program equips you with essential knowledge in legal standards, health assessments, care planning, communication techniques, and safety protocols essential to nursing practice. It serves as a springboard for launching your career into a profession with highly favorable employment opportunities.
Bachelor of Nursing
The Bachelor of Nursing is essential for aspiring Registered Nurses in Australia, a designation currently featured on the Department of Home Affairs Medium and Long Term Strategic Skills List. This degree typically spans three years, or can be completed in two years following the attainment of a Diploma of Nursing.
Nursing graduates in Australia are proficient in delivering safe and effective care. The Bachelor of Nursing curriculum underscores both practical application and theoretical understanding to prepare students for seamless integration into professional healthcare teams. The program’s objective is to cultivate healthcare professionals equipped with the requisite skills and ethical decision-making abilities to communicate effectively with both patients and medical colleagues.
Throughout the course, students undergo clinical placements across various healthcare sectors, gaining exposure to diverse departments including aged care, acute and sub-acute care, community health, mental health, pediatric care, and high dependency nursing. These placements are instrumental in honing practical skills and providing a comprehensive understanding of the nursing profession.
In Australia, it is imperative for healthcare practitioners, including nurses, to possess robust English language proficiency to ensure safe practice. This entails effective communication with patients and their families, collaboration with fellow healthcare professionals, and maintaining accurate health records.
Compliance with the English language skills registration standard is among the five core standards mandated by National Law. As stipulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, prospective applicants for the Diploma of Nursing must demonstrate English language proficiency, as well as literacy and numeracy skills prior to enrollment.
There are two pathways for meeting this requirement:
1. Primary Language Pathway: Applicants can attest to completing a minimum of six years of primary, secondary, and full-time vocational or tertiary education taught and assessed in English in recognized countries such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom, or the United States of America.
2. English Language Test Pathway: Applicants whose primary language is not English must complete section 2 of the declaration and provide evidence of a formal English language test result. The test must have been completed within the last two years and meet the minimum requirements specified by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.
Various formal English language tests are accepted, including the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Occupational English Test (OET), Pearson’s Test of English (PTE), and Test of English as a Foreign Language / Internet-based test (TOEFL-iBT). Each test has specific minimum score requirements across different components.
In addition to language proficiency, other entry requirements for the Diploma of Nursing include satisfactory completion of Year 12 or its overseas equivalent with passes in all subjects, being at least 18 years old at the time of course commencement, and fulfilling various checks and declarations related to police records, working with children, and health and immunization status prior to clinical placement.
Upon completion of the Diploma of Nursing, students will be registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) by Holmesglen, facilitating their practice as qualified healthcare professionals.
Studying either a Diploma of Nursing or a Bachelor of Nursing in Australia can lead to fulfilling career paths in healthcare. Here’s a brief overview of what each program offers:
Diploma of Nursing:
This program equips students with the necessary knowledge and skills to work as enrolled nurses (EN) under the supervision of registered nurses (RN).
Upon completion, graduates can pursue employment in diverse healthcare settings, including hospitals, aged care facilities, community health centers, and clinics.
Enrolled nurses play a vital role in delivering direct patient care, administering medications, assisting with procedures, and monitoring patient well-being.
Despite working under RN supervision, ENs have avenues for career progression and further education, such as bridging programs to transition to registered nursing roles.
Bachelor of Nursing:
The Bachelor of Nursing prepares students for careers as registered nurses (RNs).
This degree program offers a comprehensive understanding of nursing theory, research, and clinical practice compared to a diploma.
Graduates with a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing can work as RNs in various settings like hospitals, community health centers, clinics, research institutions, and public health organizations.
Registered nurses assume greater autonomy and responsibility in patient care, leading healthcare teams, and making critical treatment decisions.
A Bachelor’s degree in Nursing also paves the way for specialization or advanced practice roles, such as nurse practitioners, nurse educators, nurse researchers, or nurse managers.
In essence, while a Diploma of Nursing offers a quicker route to becoming an enrolled nurse, a Bachelor of Nursing provides a broader education and expanded career opportunities as a registered nurse. The decision between the two depends on your career aspirations, personal circumstances, and desired level of responsibility within the nursing profession.
Course Fee
Starting from
$20,000 – $25,000
Duration
12-24 months
Location & Intake
Adelaide, Brisbane, Bundaberg, Cairns, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Sunshine Coast, Sydney, Toowoomba
February, July