Every nurse was drawn to nursing because of a desire to care, to serve or to help.
Christina Feist-Heilmeier
How many of you have heard the name 'Lucy Osburn'?
Her name may be familiar if you're considering nursing as a career. Lucy Osburn was one of a handful of women whose nursing careers made them a household name during their time.
Originally from the UK, Lucy Osburn was the leader of a team of nurses who were sent to Australia in 1868 to help found 'Nightingale Nursing'. Osburn played a critical role in the establishment of modern nursing in Australia. In fact, she is seen by many as the founder of nursing in Australia.
At that time, there were no nursing courses. People who wished to become nurses were required to undertake an apprenticeship style of training — essentially, they were thrown into the deep end, into the hospital environment, and expected to learn 'on the job'.
Working as Lady Superintendent of the Sydney Infirmary and Dispensary (later known as Sydney Hospital), Lucy Osburn was known to be ruthless in her demand for discipline, obedience and perfection in the job. She was frequently in conflict with her colleagues, other medical staff and the authorities.
However, it was through her relentless campaigning that education and training for nurses were introduced into Australia.
Reflect on this fact as you peruse all the opportunities you have nowadays when it comes to nursing courses.
Students can choose from different types of study, including:
- Certificate III or IV course to become an Assistant in Nursing
- Diploma of Nursing to become an Enrolled Nurse
- Bachelor of Nursing to become a Registered Nurse.
After attaining the required minimum years of practical and clinical experience, Registered Nurses are also eligible to study for a Master's degree in a related healthcare field if they wish to apply for nursing jobs as a Nurse Practitioner.
Regardless of the level a student elects to study, they can be assured that their chosen course of study is world-class and will provide them with the knowledge and practical experience required to work in a wide variety of healthcare fields.
Find out about the best nursing courses to take in Australia here.
Better still, you can study nursing almost anywhere in Australia.
Study Nursing in Canberra
There are several options for students who want to study nursing in Canberra.
- Canberra Institute of Technology offers a Certificate III in Health Services Assistance and a Diploma of Nursing. Both programs have full and part-time options, and the upper level course can be taken as an Australian School-based Apprenticeship (ASbA).
- University of Canberra Faculty of Health offers a Bachelor of Nursing degree recognised throughout Australia and over 160 international regions. International and domestic students can study for this degree.
- Australian Catholic University (ACU) Canberra campus offers a Bachelor of Nursing degree and boasts over 200 clinical partners where students may undertake their practical experience placements.
- The Australian College of Nursing (ACN) in Canberra offers postgraduate and vocational programs for qualified nurses as well as a 'Transition to Practice' program for newly qualified Registered and Enrolled Nurses.
Nursing Degrees in Sydney
The ACU and ACN both have a campus in Sydney where you can enrol in the same programs as in Canberra. There are many other options to study nursing in Sydney.
- Western Sydney University has a full-time Bachelor of Nursing available, which students can study on campus or online.
- The University of Sydney offers a number of nursing courses, including a Bachelor of Nursing degree, a double degree combining a Bachelor of Arts or Science with a Master of Nursing and a range of postgraduate degree courses.
- The University of Technology Sydney has a Bachelor of Nursing degree for domestic and international students wishing to study either full or part time.
- TAFE NSW can provide a range of courses at Certificate III and IV level, a Diploma of Nursing and a Diploma of Practice Management.
Nursing Courses in Melbourne
If you want to study to become a nurse in Melbourne, the ACU Melbourne campus is a good option. There are, however, many other study programs available.
- Swinburne University of Technology has a huge range of nursing courses at all levels, including Certificate III and IV in different specialisations, Graduate Certificate, Diploma and Graduate Dip. courses, and a Bachelor of Nursing degree.
- University of Melbourne offers a Bachelor of Nursing for student nurses and a Master of Nursing Science for qualified nurses who wish to apply to become Nurse Practitioners.
- RMIT University nurse courses cover every level you may desire — Certificate IV, Diploma, Bachelor, Graduate Diploma, Master's — with courses available both on-campus or online.
- Holmesglen TAFE can provide student nurses with a range of Certificate III and IV options in different specialty areas and a Diploma or Bachelor of Nursing.
Search for some of the best nursing courses in Melbourne here.
Nurse Training in Perth
Student life in Perth is fantastic and there are multiple opportunities for students who wish to study nursing in Perth.
- Edith Cowan University offers a Bachelor of Science (Nursing or Midwifery) as well as a range of Graduate certificates and Master's degrees. A large number of their courses are available online, particularly for international students.
- North Metropolitan TAFE can provide a Certificate IV or Diploma of Nursing. They also have a number of course options for Enrolled Nurses who wish to further their studies and job opportunities.
- Curtin Uni students can enrol in a Bachelor of Science (Nursing) as an undergraduate or, if they are already an Enrolled Nurse or Registered Nurse, they can apply for one of the conversion streams to increase their job opportunities.
- Institute of Health and Nursing Australia has a campus in Perth where students can study for a range of Certificate III and IV modules, or a Diploma of Nursing.
Studying Nursing in Adelaide
If you wish to start a career as a nurse, Adelaide offers a wide range of study opportunities.
- The Uni of Adelaide was awarded Australia's Number 1 Nursing Degree, with its Adelaide Nursing School ranking first in South Australia for graduate employment. They offer a Bachelor of Nursing in two streams — student nurse and Enrolled Nurse.
- Torrens University Adelaide campus offers students a Bachelor of Nursing or Applied Public Health and a selection of postgraduate degree options.
- TAFE SA offers domestic and international students a range of nursing courses, including Certificate III or IV courses in health and pathology and a Diploma of Nursing.
Courses for Nursing in Brisbane
Who wouldn't want to live and study nursing (or any other course) in Brisbane?
- TAFE Queensland prepares students to work as Enrolled Nurses with their Diploma of Nursing. Alternatively, students may want to start with a Certificate III course.
- Queensland University of Technology was the first provider of tertiary level nurse studies in Queensland. They provide a Bachelor of Nursing or double degree opportunities with Behavioural Science or Public Health.
- Griffith Uni has on-campus courses for Bachelor of Nursing and a wide range of online opportunities, including Graduate certificates and Master's degrees for Registered Nurses.
You can get to know more about great nursing courses in Sydney here.
Types of Nursing Jobs
Once you have your qualifications, it will be time to find a job as a nurse or an assistant nurse (depending on the course you completed).
It may be your dream to work in a hospital setting, but if not, it's good to know that not all nursing jobs are in hospitals.
There is a wide variety of nursing careers you can follow once qualified.
If you have qualified as an Assistant, you will most likely find jobs in aged care where you will work under the supervision of a Registered Nurse. An Assistant Nurse may also find a job in a personal patient care role in a hospice or home patient care situation, or in locations such as blood donor services.
A qualified Enrolled Nurse will find jobs in a range of healthcare settings, including hospitals, aged care services, general practitioner services, medical clinics and in the private health sector. Many Enrolled Nurses also find jobs as a nursing tutor or in medical transcription. Enrolled Nurses most often work under the supervision of a Registered Nurse, but can work independently in some settings.
In Australia, Registered Nurses work in a wide range of healthcare settings, including public hospitals and private hospitals, emergency care, private practice clinics, aged care, community health, schools, and remote or rural communities.
Registered Nurses have a lot more responsibility in their jobs than Enrolled or Assistant Nurses do. They are often responsible for mentoring or supervising junior nurses in the hospital or aged care setting and are more involved in the practical side of patient care.
Whatever type of nursing career you decide to follow — whether directly with patients in a hospital or in other healthcare services — know that you will be providing services and care that is highly valued by patients and will leave an indelible and positive effect on their lives.
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