Bachelor of Nursing

The Bachelor of Nursing at the Institute of Health & Management is a three-year degree that prepares you to register and work as a nurse in Australia. You will study anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, nursing assessment, mental health nursing, aged care, community health and clinical leadership. The course mixes classroom teaching with simulation labs and supervised clinical placements in hospitals, aged care facilities and community health services. You will learn to take observations, administer medications, document care, work in a team and communicate with patients and families from many backgrounds.

How the degree is structured

The degree runs over three years of full-time study, usually across two semesters or trimesters each year. You complete units of study, each worth a set number of credit points, and you need to pass all core units to progress. There are no major electives in most nursing degrees because the curriculum is set by the accreditation standards. In your final year you will usually complete a capstone unit or a professional practice subject that brings together everything you have learned. Many programs also include a transition-to-practice placement where you work under supervision before you graduate.

Work-integrated learning is a big part of this degree. You will complete a minimum number of clinical placement hours, often around 800 hours across the three years. Placements can be in metropolitan or rural hospitals, mental health units, paediatric wards and community nursing services. Some institutions offer placements overseas, but you should check with the university. You must meet health and safety requirements, including immunisations and a police check, before you go on placement.

Skills you gain

Graduates can assess patients, plan and provide care, give medications safely, respond to emergencies, use medical equipment and work within a healthcare team. You also learn to write clinical notes, hand over to other nurses and advocate for patients. The degree teaches you to think critically about evidence and to reflect on your own practice. Communication, cultural safety and teamwork are built into every year.

Who it suits

This degree suits school leavers and mature-age students who want a hands-on career in health. You need to be comfortable with science, shift work and direct patient contact. If you are already an enrolled nurse or an assistant in nursing, the degree can lead to registration as a registered nurse. International students should check the English language requirements carefully. Nursing usually requires a higher IELTS score than other courses, often 7.0 in each band, so confirm the exact score on the official page before you apply.

Australian nursing degrees are accredited by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) and approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA). When you finish, you apply to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) for registration. The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) lets eligible graduates stay and work in Australia after study. While you are studying, your visa allows you to work up to 48 hours per fortnight. Tuition fees are published on the CRICOS register. Always check the official page for current details on fees, intake dates and English requirements.

• Registered Nurse in public and private hospitals, aged care, community health, mental health services and general practice clinics.
• New graduate nurse in hospital transition-to-practice programs across Australia.
• Community health nurse working with not-for-profit organisations and Aboriginal community controlled health services.
• Aged care nurse in residential facilities and home care providers.
• Mental health nurse in inpatient units and community mental health teams.
• Paediatric nurse in children's hospitals and child health services.
• Rural and remote area nurse in regional health services.
• Practice nurse in general practice and primary care settings.

Australian industries that hire nursing graduates include public and private hospitals, aged care providers, community health organisations, government health departments, defence health services and overseas health systems. Registration with AHPRA is required to work as a registered nurse in Australia.