CQUniversity
18 months full-time
The Diploma of Nursing is an 18-month accredited program preparing students to become enrolled nurses. Through a combination of theoretical study, mandatory residential schools, and 400 hours of clinical placement, students develop the skills to provide nursing care under registered nurse supervision across diverse healthcare settings.
Students must be at least 18 years old prior to course completion. English language proficiency is required, demonstrated through primary education in English or standardised test scores (IELTS 7.0 overall minimum, TOEFL iBT 94+, Cambridge 185+, PTE Academic 66+, or OET B minimum). Completion of BKSB (Basic Key Skills Builder) online literacy, numeracy and digital literacy assessment is mandatory unless you have completed an equal or higher-level course. Students must be physically located in Australia throughout the course and meet mandatory immunisation and health check requirements for clinical placements.
The course is structured across three stages, each lasting six months. Stage 1 covers foundational nursing including physical health assessment, infection prevention and control, communication skills, safe work practices, nursing care implementation, clinical assessment, end-of-life care, diversity, older person care, and professional practice reflection. Stage 2 focuses on legal and ethical nursing practice, wound management, chronic health conditions, medicines and intravenous therapy administration, diabetes care, mental health conditions, cultural safety, primary health care, Australian health care systems, and client health information analysis. Stage 3 includes oral health recognition, team leadership, evidence-based practice, acute health conditions, and personal stress management. All stages include mandatory work-integrated learning/clinical placements: Stage 1 (3 weeks older adult care), Stage 2 (2 weeks community), Stage 3 (5 weeks acute care).
CQUniversity is Australia's largest regional university with over 25 years of excellence in education and a pioneering reputation in online learning. The university is internationally recognised for teaching quality and social innovation, with graduates experiencing some of Australia's best employment outcomes. CQUniversity's strong focus on work-integrated learning and industry-aligned courses ensures students gain practical experience alongside theoretical knowledge. The university provides comprehensive student support including orientation, course and career advice, financial assistance, study support, mentoring programs, and disability services across more than 20 metropolitan and regional locations.
Upon completion, graduates are eligible to apply for registration as an enrolled nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Enrolled nurses work under the direct or indirect supervision of registered nurses in diverse healthcare settings including hospitals, aged care facilities, community health services, mental health facilities, and primary health care centres. Career opportunities include positions in acute care, aged care, community nursing, mental health services, and specialised nursing roles. The qualification provides a pathway to further nursing education, including the Bachelor of Nursing (Enrolled Nurse Pathway) offered by CQUniversity.
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