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Nursing

Be there when it matters most. Whether you're drawn to caring for others, making a difference in your community, or building a career with strong future demand, nursing offers the opportunity to create meaningful change every day. 

Why choose a career in nursing?

Nursing is one of Australia's most trusted and in-demand professions. Nurses play a vital role in caring for patients, supporting communities, and improving health outcomes across a wide range of healthcare settings.

Whether you're starting your first career or looking for a new direction, nursing offers diverse pathways to grow your skills, explore specialist areas, and shape a career that evolves with you.

Explore nursing courses
Help me choose a pathway

Why study nursing at TAFE Queensland?

At TAFE Queensland, you'll gain the practical skills, clinical knowledge, and confidence to work in real healthcare environments. Our industry-connected training prepares you for the realities of modern nursing so you can graduate ready to make an impact.

Industry-standard facilities

Train in simulated hospital wards and clinical labs designed to reflect modern healthcare settings. Our immersive learning approach combines industry-standard equipment with practical training to help you develop job-ready clinical skills.

Experienced nursing professionals

Learn from teachers who bring industry experience into every class. Drawing on insights from across the sector, they'll help you develop the knowledge, judgement, and professional skills needed to navigate a successful career in nursing.

Hands-on training and placements

Put your skills into practice through vocational placements and work-integrated-learning experiences. Working alongside healthcare professionals, you'll gain valuable industry exposure and graduate ready to transition into the workforce. 

Flexible study pathways

Start with a diploma, progress to a bachelor degree, or begin your journey at school with our Enrolled Nursing Foundation Program (HLT54121). Whatever stage you're at, we'll help you take the next step.

Explore nursing pathways

Career opportunities

Work settings

Nursing careers and industry outlook

Healthcare is one of Australia's fastest-growing industries with ongoing demand for qualified nurses across metropolitan, regional and remote communities. As Australia's population grows and ages, skilled nurses continue to play an essential role in delivering high-quality care. With a projected national shortfall of more than 70,000 nurses by 2035, nursing offers strong employment prospects and opportunities to build a long-lasting and rewarding career.1

From hospitals and aged care facilities to mental health services and community health settings, nursing offers a wide range of career pathways. As your experience grows you can choose to specialise, step into leadership roles, or continue your studies and expand your professional opportunities.

Nursing courses and study pathways

nursing student standing in front of machine

Enrolled Nurse pathway

Become qualified to work as an Enrolled Nurse in as little as 18 months with a Diploma of Nursing (HLT54121). Develop skills in patient care, clinical practice, medication administration, and health assessment while gaining valuable industry experience through vocational placement.

Explore the EN pathway
TAFE Queensland nursing graduate working in hospital

Registered Nurse pathway

Gain the knowledge, clinical capability, and professional skills needed to become a Registered Nurse with our Bachelor of Nursing. Start with the diploma and move straight into the second year of the bachelor, helping you grow your career as you put your skills into practice (conditions apply). 

Explore our EN to RN pathway
 

The facilities at TAFE Queensland are amazing, it's practically identical to a hospital and there is so much equipment for each student to use.

Mckaylah Drake, Diploma of Nursing (HLT54121)
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The teachers that we had were so supportive and you just needed to be open and honest with them and I was. They would sit me down and they would say, 'You've got this Anthea.' And they gave me the confidence that I needed to get through.

Anthea Byers, Diploma of Nursing (HLT54121)
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We're able to transition these students from school leaving or coming back to education after a long period of time into changing careers and then going into the next stage — whether that's going from an AIN level through to a diploma level and then further on to a bachelor level — and it's just really inspiring.

Kayla McCabe, Teacher
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The teaching staff have been absolutely phenomenal. We have teachers at TAFE Queensland who've worked for 40 years in hospitals. We have teachers who've done lots and lots of different jobs in the industry — lots of varied experience and lots of really interesting stories about the career we're looking at.

Jeremy Worringham, Diploma of Nursing (HLT54121)
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I’ve always enjoyed caring for people, and I wanted to work in a career where I could leave people in a better state than I found them.

Holly Nieuwenhuizen, Diploma of Nursing (HLT54121)
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Taylor Kett fast tracked her Nursing Diploma by starting the course while she was still in Year 12. Now she is working as an Enrolled Nurse with Ramsay Health Care while completing her studies to become a Registered Nurse.

Taylor Kett, Diploma of Nursing (HLT54121)

The Nursing program at Greenslopes Private Hospital has provided me with a hands-on approach to studying the Diploma of Nursing. I couldn't speak highly enough of the team of educators who are both knowledgeable and professional, and with their wonderful support have helped me on my path to achieve my goals.

Katherine Air, Diploma of Nursing (HLT54121)
TAFE Queensland nursing student and teacher using HoloLens augmented reality technology. Simulated nursing ward including simulator manikins.

Nursing facilities

Train in simulated nursing wards and clinical labs designed to mirror real healthcare environments.

Using industry-standard equipment including electric beds, vital signs monitors, ECG machines, IV trolleys, and responsive simulator manikins, you'll develop practical skills in realistic settings before transitioning into the workforce.

Under the guidance of experienced nursing professionals, you'll build the confidence to respond to real-world clinical situations and transition smoothly into practice.

Explore nursing facilities

Nursing industry partners

We work closely with healthcare providers across Queensland to help ensure our training reflects industry needs. These partnerships create valuable opportunities to gain practical experience, build professional connections, and prepare for a successful career in nursing.

Explore nursing partnerships

1 Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, Nursing Supply and Demand Study 2023–2035.

Further reading

So, you’re the person everyone goes to when they need painkillers, a bandaid or a shoulder to cry on? A nursing career may be just right for you.

If you're passionate about caring for others and want a rewarding career that's future proof, you might want to consider becoming a registered nurse.

Enrolled nurses are in high demand across the country, from busy emergency settings and operating theatres, to community nursing and rural/remote work. If you’re looking for inspiration, here’s a taste of what's out there.
Latest news and events Read more

Discover how TAFE Queensland can help you take the first step towards a rewarding nursing career at our Diploma of Nursing (HLT54121) information sessions.

Enrolled nurses are in high demand across the country, from busy emergency settings and operating theatres, to community nursing and rural/remote work. If you’re looking for inspiration, here’s a taste of what's out there.

Discover how TAFE Queensland can help you take the first step towards a rewarding career in Health or Nursing at our information sessions.

Imagine walking into class and, instead of opening a textbook, slipping on a VR headset to find yourself face to face with a holographic patient in crisis. That’s not the future. It’s happening now for TAFE Queensland nursing students on the Sunshine Coast, who are swapping theory-heavy learning for immersive, hands on experience inside a virtual hospital.

After two decades working in pharmacy, Clare Stone made a life-changing decision: to step away from her career and pursue a long-held dream.

At TAFE Queensland, we believe anyone can make great happen and we're committed to helping everyone, everywhere define their greatness.

Thursday Island-based student, Bianca Rickert, is building a career in nursing while staying connected to her community – and helping shape the future of healthcare in the Torres Strait.

Growing up surrounded by the beauty industry, 20-year-old Elmira always knew she wanted a career that helped people feel confident.

After surviving stage 3 ovarian cancer, Stacey Robinson knew exactly the kind of nurse she wanted to become – one who shows up with compassion, empathy and fierce advocacy when patients are at their most vulnerable.

Graduating students from across the Sunshine Coast gathered to celebrate the culmination of all their hard work and the exciting next step in their careers, with 15-year-old Phoenix Easton taking out the top honour of the night.

Students graduating from TAFE Queensland’s Bundaberg campus gathered at Bundaberg Multiplex Sport and Convention Centre on Tuesday 2 December to mark the culmination of all their hard work, and the exciting next step in their careers.

For Canadian student Louis Gaiten, studying nursing abroad wasn’t just about earning a qualification. It was about experiencing life in a new country while learning from some of the best in the field.