Undergraduate Nursing

Nursing is a diverse field of study and work, with opportunities to work in care giving, education, management, research and consultancy. Nurses carry out a range of health care functions and usually work in conjunction with doctors and other allied health professionals. Nurses assist in medical procedures, administer medications, provide emotional support to families, monitor patients' progress, assist in their rehabilitation, and care for people with long-term illnesses.

Undergraduate programs are available for beginning, enrolled and registered nurses, from Australia and overseas. Our study options are flexible, allowing studies to be organised around other commitments.

Students who have no nursing qualifications may study courses leading to the pre-registration program, Bachelor of Nursing, which takes place over three years full-time or you may study part-time over six years. You may study at three locations including Newcastle at our Callaghan campus, the Central Coast at the Ourimbah Campus, and at Port Macquarie via flexible delivery with intensive teaching and technology.

The Bachelor of Nursing is the recognised pathway for people who wish to become registered nurses. It is a vocational degree that specifically and comprehensively prepares students for professional nursing practice in a variety of health-care settings. There are variations for nurses with some qualifications such as enrolled nurse, registered nurses who qualified through a hospital-based program or nurses with a diploma.

Career Opportunities

Graduates may be employed as registered nurses in the public or private sector in the health-care system, including:

• Hospitals
• Clinics
• Industry
• Nursing homes
• Community health-care agencies
• Private homes
• Local communities

Graduates may also follow a career as a commissioned officer in the armed forces.

As a registered nurse, you may work in diverse areas of health including:

• General nursing
• Medical/surgical nursing
• Psychiatric/mental health nursing
• Oncology/palliative care
• Developmental disability
• Community health
• Rehabilitation
• Occupational health and safety
• Paediatrics
• Accident and emergency
• Intensive care nursing (ICU), including neonatal intensive care
• High dependency nursing (HDU)
• Women's health
• Operating theatres
• Aged care

Nurses may undertake further studies to specialise in these fields. Clinical nurses may obtain promotion to clinical nurse specialists, clinical nurse consultants or nurse practitioners.

Graduates in nursing enjoy excellent employment opportunities both in Australia and overseas. They are particularly fortunate in that they can choose from a rich variety of health care settings and roles.

Nursing is a profession that is very transportable. Australian registered nurses may apply for registration in many overseas countries - perfect for a working holiday.