About this course

Enrolled nurses are important members of the healthcare team. During the course, you will have the opportunity to learn in a range of different settings including acute hospital wards, mental health and community settings. Every day brings new challenges and rewards. As an enrolled nurse you will work as part of a team of healthcare professionals providing quality person-centred care.

Target audience

The course is open to school leavers, Assistants in Nursing and people who are wishing to change careers. The Diploma of Nursing is one of the many entry points into the nursing workforce.

Support provided to participants

A range of student support networks are in place to ensure students can reach their maximum potential. All students will be provided with support from the program coordinator. Educators can provide students with advice and support on site, or help students access support services.

Participant requirements

Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply. All successful applicants will be required to meet the following requirements:

• be an Australian citizen or permanent resident 
• live in New South Wales
• have completed the NSW Higher School Certificate or equivalent, or a Certificate III (Australian Qualification Framework Level 3) qualification or equivalent
• be prepared to work in the NSW public health system following completion of the Diploma and comply with NSW Health employment policy
• be able to meet the physical demands of the role 
• be willing to undertake a National Criminal Record Check and a Working with Children Check prior to commencement of the course
• not be currently enrolled in the Diploma of Nursing program elsewhere 
• not be a previously qualified enrolled nurse wishing to upgrade their qualification 
• be at least 17 years old at commencement
• comply with immunisation and health screening requirements of the NSW Health policy Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination Against Specified Infectious Diseases (PD2022_030)
• commit to full-time training 
• consent to undertake a Literacy and Numeracy Skills pre-test prior to enrolment 
• before enrolment, be able to meet the English language skill standards to gain registration as an enrolled nurse in Australia as specified by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency by either: 
  • completion of five (5) years (full-time equivalent) continuous education that is a combination of:
    • vocational and secondary education taught and assessed in English, or 
    • tertiary and vocational education taught and assessed in English, or 
    • combined tertiary, secondary and vocational education taught and assessed in English
    • tertiary education taught and assessed in English
    • the last period of education must have been completed no more than five years prior to applying for registration 

(Must be from one of the following countries: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom, or United States of America) 

Or 

• achievement of the minimum scores in one of the below English language tests and met the requirements for test results: 
  • the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) (academic module) with a minimum overall score of 7 and a minimum score of 7 in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing, and speaking)
  • the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) with a minimum overall score of 65 and a minimum score of 65 in each of the four communicative skills (listening, reading, writing, and speaking)
  • the Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based test (TOEFL iBT) with a minimum total score of 94

What you will learn 

The Diploma of Nursing will be delivered over 18 months and will include theory and professional experience in a clinical environment. There are four theory blocks followed by four professional experience placements to allow students to develop and build on nursing skills required for safe and competent practice.

Theory blocks are face-to-face and clinical simulation laboratory sessions three days a week at the Rozelle Campus. Students are expected to undertake approximately 12 hours of self-directed learning per week during theory blocks. 

Professional experience placements follow each theory block to enable the application of theory into clinical practice under supervision of a registered nurse. You will complete your experience in Sydney Local Health District hospitals (Royal Prince Alfred, Balmain, Concord and Canterbury). Students will attend 680 hours of professional experience placement during the 18 months. 

Assessments will be conducted for both the theoretical and professional experience components of the course. Assessment methods include e-learning, case studies, short answer questions, reflective journals, examinations and clinical skill assessments. 

Units of Competency

Key information

Applications close: 15 January 2025
Program commences: 17 February 2025
Target completion date: 28 August 2026

Application process

There is a three-stage application process

1. Complete the expression of interest form and return it to the Program Coordinator
2. Attend a language literacy and numeracy assessment
3. Attend an interview 

Expression of Interest form