Diploma of Nursing
Swinburne Online - online delivery only
Take the first step onto the frontline of healthcare with the Diploma of Nursing.
Learn how provide basic nursing care and assess clients’ health, including older clients, acute-care clients and people with mental health conditions. You’ll also analyse health-related information and learn how to administer and monitor medication.
Delivered through a combination of online units, on-campus hospital simulations and 400 hours of supervised clinical placements to give you a solid foundation to launch your career of care.
Swinburne’s Diploma of Nursing is accredited by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC).
Upon completing this diploma, you could seek roles such as mental health nurse, rehabilitation nurse, aged care nurse or palliative care nurse.
View the Informed Choices statement, which provides information about the inherent requirements of nursing, specifically the essential physical and behavioural abilities needed to perform assessment tasks and professional placements in nursing and progress to a career in this field. This information is intended to assist you to choose whether you can successfully participate in and complete a course.
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Duration
2 years - VET Jul Intake [SOL] (25 July 2022)
Study modes
- Online,
- Part-time (evening),
- Part-time (weekend)
VTAC course code
- 3401010534 (fee type determined by provider)
This is a nationally approved vocational course that is recognised throughout Australia.
Course information in detail
- Course detail, course structure and units of study.
Course description
Under the supervision of a registered nurse, the Diploma of Nursing (HLT54121) will teach you the essential skills and knowledge necessary to work in a range of healthcare settings.
You will learn how to implement basic nursing care, assess clients’ health and analyse health-related information through a combination of online units, on-campus hospital simulations and 400 hours of mandatory supervised clinical placements. You will also learn how to administer and monitor medication as well as care for older clients, acute-care clients and people with mental health conditions.
Swinburne’s Diploma of Nursing is accredited by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC), which is responsible for the regulation of nurses and midwives.
This course is currently not available to international students. Interstate applicants are eligible for this course, but will not be eligible for Skills First Funding and must be able to travel to Victoria for practical course elements at their own financial cost. Applicants who currently hold a higher qualification will not be eligible for Skills First Funding.
You will learn how to implement basic nursing care, assess clients’ health and analyse health-related information through a combination of online units, on-campus hospital simulations and 400 hours of mandatory supervised clinical placements. You will also learn how to administer and monitor medication as well as care for older clients, acute-care clients and people with mental health conditions.
Swinburne’s Diploma of Nursing is accredited by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC), which is responsible for the regulation of nurses and midwives.
This course is currently not available to international students. Interstate applicants are eligible for this course, but will not be eligible for Skills First Funding and must be able to travel to Victoria for practical course elements at their own financial cost. Applicants who currently hold a higher qualification will not be eligible for Skills First Funding.
Course structure
The Diploma of Nursing consists of 20 core units and 5 preferred elective units.
Units of study
Core Units
Confirm physical health status/Analyse and respond to client health information (HLTAAP002/HLTAAP003)
Comply with infection prevention and control policies and procedures (HLTINF001)Follow safe work practices for direct client care (HLTWHS002)
Practise nursing within the Australian health care system (HLTENN035)
Perform clinical assessment and plan nursing care (HLTENN037)
Implement, monitor and evaluate nursing care (HLTENN038)
Implement and monitor care of the older person (HLTENN045)
Apply communication skills in nursing practice/Apply legal and ethical parameters to nursing practice (HLTENN036/HLTENN041)
Administer and monitor medicines and intravenous therapy (HLTENN040)
Work with diverse people/Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety (CHCDIV001/CHCDIV002)
Implement and monitor care for a person with mental health conditions (HLTENN042)
Apply nursing practice in the primary health care setting (HLTENN047)
Apply principles of wound management in the clinical environment (HLTENN039)
Implement and monitor care for a person with acute health problems (HLTENN043)
Reflect on and improve own professional practice (CHCPRP003)
Implement and monitor care for a person with chronic health problems (HLTENN044)
Apply a palliative care approach in nursing care (HLTENN068)
Elective Units
Provide first aid (HLTAID011)
Interpret and apply medical terminology appropriately (BSBMED301)
Research and apply evidence to practice (CHCPOL003)
Manage personal stressors in the work environment (HLTWHS006)
Implement and monitor care for a person with diabetes (HLTENN057)
Interpret and apply medical terminology appropriately (BSBMED301)
Research and apply evidence to practice (CHCPOL003)
Manage personal stressors in the work environment (HLTWHS006)
Implement and monitor care for a person with diabetes (HLTENN057)
Careers and graduate outcomes
- Career opportunities and course aims and objectives.
Career opportunities
The practical skills you learn while completing your Diploma of Nursing will give you a solid foundation to suceed in a range of different healthcare positions. These include:
- Acute Care Nurse
- Mental Health Nurse
- Rehabilitation Nurse
- Aged Care Nurse
- Palliative Care Nurse
- Acute Care Nurse
- Mental Health Nurse
- Rehabilitation Nurse
- Aged Care Nurse
- Palliative Care Nurse
Aims and objectives
Teach students the practical skills they need to work in a range of healthcare settings. These include:
- Basic nursing care
- Administration and monitoring of medication
- Nursing communication
- Legal and ethical parameters in nursing
- Basic nursing care
- Administration and monitoring of medication
- Nursing communication
- Legal and ethical parameters in nursing
Pathways and scholarships
- Pathways, credit transfer, recognition of prior learning and scholarships.
Course fees and requirements
- Entry requirements and non-year 12 entry.
Course fees
A VET Student Loan is available for this course – allowing you to defer part of your fees if you're eligible.
The maximum VET Student Loan amount for this course is $16,788. You must start repaying this loan once you earn above the compulsory repayment threshold.
Diploma of NursingEstimated course fees for 2023* |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| For students who are not granted a Skills First government-subsidised place | For students who are granted a Skills First government-subsidised place | Is this a Free TAFE course? | |
| You will need to pay this amount if you do not receive a VET Student Loan | $32,210 | $16,930 | This course is not eligible for Free TAFE |
| You will need to pay this amount if you do receive a VET Student Loan | $15,422 | $142 | This course is not eligible for Free TAFE |
Fees published on this page are estimates only and are subject to change depending on individual circumstances at the time of enrolment. The above fees apply for units studied in 2023 only and may change for units studied in future years. There may be additional costs related to learning material and equipment.
This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding.
Skills First Government-subsidised place
You could be granted a Skills First government-subsidised place when you apply for this course. Check your eligibility now.
You could be granted a Skills First government-subsidised place when you apply for this course. Check your eligibility now.
Concession rates for vocational students
Concession rates for Diploma and Advanced Diploma programs are also available if you self-identify as being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent and qualify for a government-subsidised training place under the Indigenous Completions Initiative.
The eligibility criteria are set by the Victorian Government and assessed by Swinburne in accordance with government directives, which are subject to change at any time.
Find out if you’re eligible for a fee concession here.
Concession rates for Diploma and Advanced Diploma programs are also available if you self-identify as being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent and qualify for a government-subsidised training place under the Indigenous Completions Initiative.
The eligibility criteria are set by the Victorian Government and assessed by Swinburne in accordance with government directives, which are subject to change at any time.
Find out if you’re eligible for a fee concession here.
Full course fee
If you are not granted a government subsidised place, the full course fee will apply. Check your eligibility now.
If you are not granted a government subsidised place, the full course fee will apply. Check your eligibility now.
Indicative nominal course hours: 1,778.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
Entry into this course is based on an applicant’s previous study, demonstrated knowledge and skills, and/or work history. It is recommended that all applicants attend a course information session.
For information on essential physical and behavioral abilities needed to perform assessment tasks and professional placements, please review the Informed Choices statement.
Academic requirements
You are required to complete VCE (within the past seven years), with a minimum score of 20 for English or 25 in EAL. You must also have a satisfactory score for Units 1 and 2 in Maths or ACSF Exit Level 3 (working at Level 4) or above in both Reading and Numeracy as determined by an online literacy and numeracy test issued by Swinburne Online.
English language requirements
The Diploma of Nursing has entry criteria set by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council. All students entering this course must demonstrate the level of English language skills specified by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) prior to commencing the course.
You must demonstrate your English language competency in one of the following ways:
You completed your schooling in Australia or at a school taught and assessed in English.
You have achieved a specified minimum score in an approved English language test, such as IELTS, OET, PTE or TOEFL iBT. (For full English language requirements, please see the Diploma of Nursing Entry Criteria page.)
Additional requirements
- Applicants must be 18 years of age at the time of placement
- NDIS Worker Screening Check – this process includes a National Police Check
Entry into this course is based on an applicant’s previous study, demonstrated knowledge and skills, and/or work history. It is recommended that all applicants attend a course information session.
For information on essential physical and behavioral abilities needed to perform assessment tasks and professional placements, please review the Informed Choices statement.
Academic requirements
You are required to complete VCE (within the past seven years), with a minimum score of 20 for English or 25 in EAL. You must also have a satisfactory score for Units 1 and 2 in Maths or ACSF Exit Level 3 (working at Level 4) or above in both Reading and Numeracy as determined by an online literacy and numeracy test issued by Swinburne Online.
English language requirements
The Diploma of Nursing has entry criteria set by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council. All students entering this course must demonstrate the level of English language skills specified by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) prior to commencing the course.
You must demonstrate your English language competency in one of the following ways:
You completed your schooling in Australia or at a school taught and assessed in English.
You have achieved a specified minimum score in an approved English language test, such as IELTS, OET, PTE or TOEFL iBT. (For full English language requirements, please see the Diploma of Nursing Entry Criteria page.)
Additional requirements
- Applicants must be 18 years of age at the time of placement
- NDIS Worker Screening Check – this process includes a National Police Check
*If a candidate believes there would be a disclosable issue on their National Police Check, a confidential conversation will be required prior to enrolment to determine suitability for work within the healthcare environment.
- Working with Children Check (Volunteer or Employee) for the duration of the program.
Immunisations
This course requires up-to-date evidence of immunisations. If you are not willing to provide up-to-date evidence, you may not be eligible to complete this program.
Immunisation requirements include the following:
- COVID-19 Vaccination – full course required after 15 November 2021
- Measles / Mumps / Rubella
- Diphtheria / Tetanus/ Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
- Varicella (Chickenpox)
- Hepatitis B
- Influenza (Annual requirement)
- Tuberculosis Screening – QuantiFERON Gold test.
For more information about the minimum immunisation requirements please download the Vaccination for healthcare workers information.
Additional immunisations may be required in response to any changes in Government policy or the specific requirements of the organisation you attend for your clinical placement. Further information will be provided at the commencement of the course.
Please review the following additional requirements before submitting your application:
- Applicants must be residing in Victoria, Australia, for the duration of the course.
- You must maintain a current Police Check and Working with Children Check for the duration of the course.
- The first unit of this course, HLTAID011 Provide First Aid, must be completed prior to your first placement. This requirement can be filled by providing evidence of your completion in an Accredited First Aid course. You can complete this through different providers, including St. John Ambulance Australia and Australian Red Cross.
- This course requires up-to-date evidence of immunisations. If you are not able to provide up-to-date evidence, you will not be able to attend the clinical placement component of this course. For more information about the minimum immunisation requirements, please visit the health.vic website. Additional immunisations may be required in response to any changes in Government policy or the specific requirements of the organisation you attend for your clinical placement. Further information will be provided at the commencement of the course.
- Applicants without formal qualifications but with significant relevant work experience are welcome to apply.
Immunisations
This course requires up-to-date evidence of immunisations. If you are not willing to provide up-to-date evidence, you may not be eligible to complete this program.
Immunisation requirements include the following:
- COVID-19 Vaccination – full course required after 15 November 2021
- Measles / Mumps / Rubella
- Diphtheria / Tetanus/ Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
- Varicella (Chickenpox)
- Hepatitis B
- Influenza (Annual requirement)
- Tuberculosis Screening – QuantiFERON Gold test.
For more information about the minimum immunisation requirements please download the Vaccination for healthcare workers information.
Additional immunisations may be required in response to any changes in Government policy or the specific requirements of the organisation you attend for your clinical placement. Further information will be provided at the commencement of the course.
Please review the following additional requirements before submitting your application:
- Applicants must be residing in Victoria, Australia, for the duration of the course.
- You must maintain a current Police Check and Working with Children Check for the duration of the course.
- The first unit of this course, HLTAID011 Provide First Aid, must be completed prior to your first placement. This requirement can be filled by providing evidence of your completion in an Accredited First Aid course. You can complete this through different providers, including St. John Ambulance Australia and Australian Red Cross.
- This course requires up-to-date evidence of immunisations. If you are not able to provide up-to-date evidence, you will not be able to attend the clinical placement component of this course. For more information about the minimum immunisation requirements, please visit the health.vic website. Additional immunisations may be required in response to any changes in Government policy or the specific requirements of the organisation you attend for your clinical placement. Further information will be provided at the commencement of the course.
- Applicants without formal qualifications but with significant relevant work experience are welcome to apply.
International entry
This course is currently not available to international students. Interstate applicants are eligible for this course, but will not be eligible for Skills First Funding and must be able to travel to Victoria for practical course elements at their own financial cost. Applicants who currently hold a higher qualification will not be eligible for Skills First Funding.
This course is currently not available to international students. Interstate applicants are eligible for this course, but will not be eligible for Skills First Funding and must be able to travel to Victoria for practical course elements at their own financial cost. Applicants who currently hold a higher qualification will not be eligible for Skills First Funding.