Diploma of Nursing

HLT54121

This page is updated when information changes, but it's always best to talk to your training provider to confirm course details before you enrol.

Overview

Get ready for a nursing career. Study patient care, clinical practice and health support with practical placements.

This qualification reflects the role of an enrolled nurse working under the direct or indirect supervision of a registered nurse.

Enrolled nurses provide nursing care for people across the health care continuum and at all stages of life.

To be eligible to apply for registration as an enrolled nurse and to practice in Australia, individuals must complete a Diploma of Nursing program accredited by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) and approved as ‘an approved program of study’ by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) in accordance with the Enrolled Nurse Accreditation Standards. To confirm the education provider holds the necessary accreditation check the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) at www.ahpra.gov.au.

The scope of practice for enrolled nurses is determined by legislative requirements and the policies and procedures of the employing organisation.

This qualification may contribute to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia's (NMBA) registration requirements to practice as an enrolled nurse.

  • Financial help

  • Cost

    Course costs can vary by provider and location. Ask your training provider for a cost estimate.

    To see how government funding could help to reduce the cost of your course, check your eligibility for funding.

  • On-the-job training

  • Entry requirements

    This course doesn't have any entry requirements. It could be a good starting point for your career.

  • Duration

    You complete this course when you’ve learned the skills, not after a set amount of time. The times shown are estimates.

  • Delivery options

    You may be able to access this training in these ways:

    • Part-time available
    • Partially online
    • Classroom-based

Course content

This course is made up of units.

All courses have core units—these are mandatory for completing the course. Most courses also have elective units, which you can choose from to suit your needs and interests. Not all training providers offer every elective, so check with your provider to find out which electives they can offer you.

For more information about course content, talk to your training provider or visit the National Training Register.

Unit Unit type
Administer and monitor medicines and intravenous therapy Core
Analyse and respond to client health information Core
Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control Core
Apply communication skills in nursing practice Core
Apply legal and ethical parameters to nursing practice Core
Apply nursing practice in the primary health care setting Core
Apply principles of wound management Core
Confirm physical health status Core
Follow safe work practices for direct client care Core
Implement and monitor care for a person with acute health conditions Core
Implement and monitor care for a person with chronic health conditions Core
Implement and monitor care for a person with mental health conditions Core
Implement and monitor care of the older person Core
Implement, monitor and evaluate nursing care Core
Perform clinical assessment and contribute to planning nursing care Core
Practise nursing within the Australian health care system Core
Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety Core
Provide end of life care and a palliative approach in nursing practice Core
Reflect on and improve own professional practice Core
Work with diverse people Core
Apply and use basic oral health products Elective
Apply nursing practice in the paediatric care setting Elective
Communicate and work in health or community services Elective
Contribute to maternal and infant health care Elective
Contribute to the nursing care of a person with diabetes Elective
Develop personal work priorities Elective
Facilitate workplace-based learning Elective
Implement and monitor infection prevention and control standards, policies and procedures Elective
Inform and support patients and groups about oral health Elective
Lead team effectiveness Elective
Maintain work health and safety Elective
Manage personal stressors in the work environment Elective
Provide Advanced First Aid Elective
Provide First Aid Elective
Recognise and respond to oral health issues Elective
Research and apply evidence to practice Elective
Respond to client language, literacy and numeracy needs Elective
Support the provision of basic nutritional advice and education Elective
Visit client residence Elective

Job prospects

The Diploma of Nursing sets you up for roles like these, but the skills you learn could take you even further.

  • Nurse Practitioner

    ANZSCO 254411

    Nurse Practitioners provide advanced and extended nursing care to patients.

    Recommended education level:
    Bachelor degree or higher

  • Registered Nurse (Aged Care)

    ANZSCO 254412

    Registered Nurses (Aged Care) provide nursing care to the elderly in community settings, residential aged care facilities, retirement villages and health care facilities.

    Recommended education level:
    Bachelor degree or higher

  • Registered Nurse (Child and Family Health)

    ANZSCO 254413

    Registered Nurses (Child and Family Health) provide nursing care to children and their families, with an emphasis on the prevention, early detection of, and early intervention in, physical, emotional and social problems affecting children and their families.

    Recommended education level:
    Bachelor degree or higher

  • Registered Nurse (Community Health)

    ANZSCO 254414

    Registered Nurses (Community Health) provide nursing care, health counselling, screening and education to individuals, families and groups in the wider community with a focus on patient independence and health promotion.

    Recommended education level:
    Bachelor degree or higher

  • Enrolled Nurse

    ANZSCO 411411

    Provide nursing care to patients under the supervision of registered nurses.

    Recommended education level:
    Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree

  • Mothercraft Nurse

    ANZSCO 411412

    Mothercraft Nurses provide care to newborn infants, and provide advice and training on infant care to parents of newborn infants.

    Recommended education level:
    Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree

  • Residential Care Officer

    ANZSCO 411715

    Residential Care Officers provide care and supervision for children or disabled persons in group housing or institutional care.

    Recommended education level:
    Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree

  • Aged and Disabled Carer

    ANZSCO 423111

    Provide companionship and practical support to aged and disabled persons in their own homes

    Recommended education level:
    Certificate II or III

  • Nursing Support Worker

    ANZSCO 423312

    Nursing Support Workers provide limited patient care under the direction of nursing staff.

    Recommended education level:
    Certificate II or III

  • Personal Care Assistant

    ANZSCO 423313

    Personal Care Assistants provide routine personal care services to people in a range of health care facilities or in a person's home.

    Recommended education level:
    Certificate II or III

Training providers delivering Diploma of Nursing

It's a good idea to research multiple training providers to make sure you're getting the right training for you.

Showing: 8 providers

How to enrol in this course

To enrol, choose a training provider that offers this course. You can see provider details on this page.

When you find one that you think suits you, visit their website or contact them directly to confirm details like start dates, fees, funding, delivery locations and delivery options.

The provider will guide you through the enrolment process.

Delivery locations can change as students enrol. If you're doing any workplace-based training, like an apprenticeship, this will take place in a different location from your classroom training. Contact your training provider to confirm delivery locations.
Government funding may be available. Contact your training provider to confirm.