Discover strong job prospects as a registered nurse

As a nurse, you can make a big difference in the lives of others every day, while enjoying excellent job security. That's because the Health Care and Social Assistance industry is Australia’s largest and fastest growing industry, delivering medical and care services, including nursing.

Working in this industry can include community or home-based work and can be in a variety of locations, including hospitals, medical centres and aged care. In fact, our ageing population is driving increasing demand for nurses in the aged care sector.

According to the Skills Priority List, there are registered nurse shortages across Australia, and Jobs Queensland predicts the occupation will grow 14.5 per cent by 2026 - far exceeding the state's average job growth rate (7.6 per cent).

On a national level, last year in 2023 Jobs and Skills Australia reported an annual employment growth of 16,000 new registered nurses alone.

If you want to dive into this rewarding sector, TAFE Queensland offers a diploma-to-degree pathway, allowing eligible students to study a Diploma of Nursing (HLT54121) and gain a year of credit to transition directly into the second year of a Bachelor of Nursing.

The benefit of this approach allows students to gain hands-on skills and put those skills to the test in clinical labs, during vocational placement and in real-life health settings, like hospitals.

Students who complete a Diploma of Nursing (HLT54121) qualify to seek registration as an enrolled nurse - a profession that's forecast to grow 3.9 per cent in Queensland by 2026.

Diploma graduates have the potential to earn while they learn, taking on employment as an enrolled nurse as they study the Bachelor of Nursing, which is the minimum requirement to work as a registered nurse.

Whether you're interested in a career as an enrolled nurse or a pathway to life as a registered nurse, we've got you covered at TAFE Queensland.