As a registered nurse you can:

• provide care for patients undergoing and recovering from surgical procedures;
• deliver and evaluate preventative medical procedures;
• assist with the provision and assessment of a range of rehabilitative activities and;
• provide community health services.

You need a nursing qualification and a licence from the Queensland Nursing Council (QNC) to practise nursing in Queensland. Once you have completed your nursing degree you will need to apply to the QNC for registration and a current licence to practice. For more information on nursing registration and regulation in Queensland go to the Queensland Nursing Council website.

Educational Prequisites

To become a registered nurse you must complete a degree in nursing. Entry generally requires completion of Year 12 with passes in English and Biology. A first aid certificate may also be required at some universities.

Alternative entry may be available for mature aged students or enrolled nurses allowing the formal prerequisites to be waivered. You may also be able to study externally through distance education. As subjects and entry requirements can vary between institutions, you should contact your chosen university for full details. Click here to go to the university links.

What Will I Study?

Studying to become a registered nurse involves a mix of practical and theoretical training. You will cover areas such as biology, pharmacology, personal and professional issues, community living, nursing the child and nursing the aged. Other subjects may include clinical assessment, acute nursing, wound and pain management, pathophysiology, health law and health promotion.

Where To Study?

The following Queensland universities offer degrees in nursing and midwifery:

• Australian Catholic University - Brisbane
  Bachelor of Nursing, 3 years full time or part-time equivalent
  Bachelor of Midwifery, 3 years full time or part-time equivalent
  O.P/selection rank for 2003 entry - (8 / 86)
• Central Queensland University - Rockhampton, Bundaberg and Mackay campuses
  Bachelor of Health (Nursing), 3 years full time or part-time equivalent
  OP/selection rank for 2003 entry for Bundaberg and Mackay campuses - (14 / 70);
  Rockhampton campus - (15 / 68)
• Griffith University - Gold Coast, Logan and Nathan campuses
  Bachelor of Nursing (Pre-registration), 3 years full time or part-time equivalent
  OP/selection rank for 2003 entry for Gold Coast and Nathan campuses -  (9 / 84);
  Logan campus - (10, 81)
• James Cook University - Cairns, Townsville, Mt Isa campuses
  Bachelor of Nursing Science (Pre-registration), 3 years full time or part-time equivalent
  OP/selection rank for 2003 entry for Cairns  campus - (11 / 79);
  Townsville campus -  (13 / 73); Mt Isa campus - ( - )
• Queensland University of Technology - Brisbane
  Bachelor of Nursing (Pre-registration), 3 years full time or part-time equivalent
  OP/selection rank for 2003 entry - (7 / 89)
• University of Queensland - Ipswich and St Lucia Campuses
  Bachelor of Nursing, 3 years full time
  Bachelor of Midwifery, 3 years full time
• University of Southern Queensland - Toowoomba
  Bachelor of Nursing, 3 years full time or part-time equivalent
  OP/selection rank for 2003 entry Toowoomba campus - (17, 62);
  Wide Bay campus - (14 / 70)