Observing and recording patient healthcare problems and behaviour
Giving medication to patients and operating medical equipment associated with patients' healthcare outcomes.
Preparing patients for examinations, assisting in operations and providing post-operative care.

Read less

RNs also play an important role in health promotion, chronic disease management and prevention of illness by providing care, information and education to individuals and members of the community.

The role of an RN may vary depending on the patients you see and the setting in which you work, but RNs tend to work collaboratively with other skilled professionals such as doctors, surgeons, physiotherapists, speciality nurses and others to provide patient care.

What can I earn as a Registered Nurse?

All

NSW

VIC

QLD

TAS

ACT

The most common annual salary in AUS for a Registered Nurse is between $65k and $75k

Compare salaries by similar roles

Clinical Nurse

Most common salaryAUS

$45k$90k$150k

Explore skills overlap

Endorsed Enrolled Nurse

Most common salaryAUS

$20k$60k$100k

Explore skills overlap

Division One Registered Nurse

Most common salaryAUS

$25k$80k$110k

Explore skills overlap

Personal Care Assistant

Most common salaryAUS

$20k$55k$100k

Explore skills overlap

Assistant In Nursing

Most common salaryAUS

$20k$50k$80k

Explore skills overlap

Close salary comparison

Source: SEEK job ads. Salaries include superannuation.

How to become a Registered Nurse

To become a Registered Nurse in Australia you need to complete a Bachelor of Nursing. These are usually full time courses over three years, for people over 17 years of age or who have completed year 12 with an appropriate Universities Admission Index. The courses provide a blend of theory and clinical nursing experiences.

Complete a bachelor degree in the field of nursing. This could be a Bachelor of Nursing, Bachelor of Science (majoring in Nursing) or Bachelor of Nursing (Advanced Studies). Alternatively, for students with previous tertiary qualifications, complete a two-year Master of Nursing (Graduate Entry) program.
Apply to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) to practice as an RN. Registration must be renewed annually.
RNs with several years' experience can move into more specialised roles (such as aged care, neonatology or neurological care), transfer into the medical administrative sector or become a nurse unit manager.

How do I choose the right course for me?

SEEK Learning can help you find a course to become a Registered Nurse that suits your study preferences, lifestyle and location.

Find the right course

Explore related qualifications

SEEK users who have worked as a Registered Nurse have studied these qualifications.

All

NSW

VIC

QLD

TAS

ACT

Bachelor of Nursing

This degree provides you with the skills and knowledge for a career as a Registered Nurse.

Compare institutions

See 29 institutions that offer this course in Australia and Online.

Bachelor of Science

Develop broad skills in science to prepare for opportunities in a range of industries with this qualification.

Compare institutions

See 34 institutions that offer this course in Australia and Online.

Diploma of Nursing

This qualification prepares you to work as an Enrolled Nurse.

Compare institutions

See 25 institutions that offer this course in Australia and Online.

Skills and experience employers are looking for

Hi there, have any of these? Add your skills directly to your SEEK Profile.

AHPRA Registration

Aged Care

Midwifery

Nursing Practice

Immunisations

Patient Care

CPR Certificate

Ethical Standards

Empathy

Computer Literacy

Skills listed in your SEEK Profile

Based on your skills, here are some roles to explore

Roles where your skills are commonly valued by employers.

Did you find this helpful?

Source: SEEK job ads and SEEK Profile data

Upskill with an online short course

Get instant access to online training for these in-demand Registered Nurse skills

How do Registered Nurses rate their role?

Latest reviews from 14 Registered Nurses surveyed on SEEK

Work-life balance

3.5

Job satisfaction

3.7

Career progression opportunities

3.0

Job security

3.6

Pay / Salary

3.4

Variety of work

3.9

Latest reviews

All

Positive

Negative

May 2020

It's closer to being a nun than a doctor.

Reviewer's Qualification

BA RN

Experience

10+ years

Organisation size

Large (200+ employees)

Specialisation

I.C.U.

The good things

Attending work when there's less traffic. The job requires a high ethical and moral standard for the patient which means your own needs are secondary. Get use to everyone else is right and you are alw...

The challenges

Shift work over long periods of time wreck you mentally and physically. Learn how to be humble, every moment of every day.

Nursing/Midwifery is my career, one I would never change

Reviewer's Qualification

Bachelor of Nursing and Graduate Diploma in Midwifery

Experience

10+ years

Organisation size

Large (200+ employees)

Specialisation

Midwifery

The good things

Assisting people in one of the happiest times of their lives can be a wonderful experience. Just knowing that you have made a positive impact on their journey into parenthood is one of the most reward...

The challenges

Midwifery has daily challenges that are as diverse as the people we assist. Language and culture are just a couple of challenges that are faced daily but you will find the crossings of culture so inte...

Source: SEEK Role Reviews