Nurse Job Kit

CAREERS

withSTEM JOB KIT ™

NURSE

Be rewarded for your compassion in this future-proof career

Caring for others gives more than it takes.

Thinking about a career in nursing? Open doors at ACU to a lifelong, flexible, transportable and varied career, developing the skills and professional connections you need to launch your career in nursing.

You could join a healthcare team that flies into rural and remote communities to deliver essential nursing care. Or become a flight nurse, responsible for patients who are being transported by plane.

DIVERSE AND DYNAMIC CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Maybe you’re craving the challenge of forensic mental health nursing, which involves providing therapeutic care in settings including prisons, secure hospitals, working with the courts or in the community.

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As well as working in a hospital or community setting, there’s a huge variety of career paths available for qualified nurses. For example, there’s telehealth nursing, where you can deliver care online or over the phone to patients who are unable to travel to in-person appointments.

Find out more acu.edu.au/nursing

No matter where your nursing career takes you, you’ll have a positive impact on the lives of your patients.

FOREWORD

Career with heart

pathway to purpose, More than a job, nursing is a y growth and global opportunit

Kate Lowe Lecturer in Nursing School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine (NSW), Australian Catholic University

I

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wanted to work with chose nursing because I s and to be there in children and their familie r. Over the years, I moments that truly matte ients across a range of have cared for young pat dic me al and surgical clinical areas, including , dlers, paediatric recovery wards for infants and tod ir the in ting theatres. Even intensive care and opera d, children bring an nee of most urgent times s d resilience that remind incredible sense of joy an ng. rsi nu of n sio the profes me every day why I love s been diverse and ha y rne jou ng My nursi d as a clinical nurse rewarding. I have worke nager and project officer, specialist, nurse unit ma ion for the leadership, gaining a deep appreciat n that define great teamwork and compassio in healthcare law and the nursing. My interests are l nursing practice. regulation of professiona turer in nursing, I Since joining ACU as a lec g guiding students, helpin have had the privilege of ge led ow kn d an e enc fid them build the skills, con nursing journeys. n ow ir the pe sha ll that wi

Watching our students gro w is one of the most rewarding parts of my rol e.

At ACU, we pride ourse lves on being more than just a university – we are a supportive communit y. Students tel l us they va lue the personal connections the y form here and the sense of belonging that comes from being tru ly known. We also offer exc iting opportunities to study abroad, including at our Rome campus an d through our Short-Term International Study Experience (STISE) progra ms.

Nursing today offers bot h job security and deep career satisfaction. Nurse s are always in demand, and with so many specia lisations and flexible pathways, it is a professio n that grows with you.

Whether you are seekin g work–life balance, leadership opportunities or the chance to travel the world, nursing opens cou ntless doors.

My advice is simple: Tre at people as you would like to be treated in work and in life. At ACU, we will help you become no t just a nurse but a compassionate professio na l ready to ma ke a lasting impact.

Nursing offers both job security and deep career satisfaction. With compassion, professionalism and the right support, you can build a meaningful career that makes a lasting difference.”

Bachelor of Nursing, University of Sydney

Kate Lowe Lecturer in Nursing School of Nursing, Midw ifery and Paramedicine (NSW), Australian Catho lic University

nt), Master of Nursing (Manageme ney University of Technology Syd

Nursing Unit Manager, Paediatr Mount Druitt Hospital

ic Ward,

Clinical Nurse Specialist, Sydney Children’s Hospital

Lecturer in Nursing, Australian Catholic University

Check out CareerswithSTEM.com for more insights, information, inspiration and advice about nursing careers!

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NURSE

DEEP DIVE

ANYTHING IS PULSE-IBLE…

Did you know?

Global ly, an addition al

nine million nurses and m idw ives are needed by 2030.

… when you study a nursing degree! Let’s explore where it could take you.

W Why study at ACU If you want to be equipped with excellent clinical skills and known for your quick thinking and compassion, choosing an ACU nursing degree is the right move. ACU is home to the biggest nursing school in Australia, and also has a long list of hospital and health care partners, meaning you’ll get some awesome opportunities for industry placements and even future employment. Keen to head overseas while you study? You can, as they work with care facilities around the world.

Your degree options include: Bachelor of Nursing

and job? Become ant a future proof, in-dem Department of Health a nurse! According to the currently 54,100 and Aged Care, there are iste ,000 reg red nurses in enrolled nurses and 303 ority more. The 2023 Skills Pri Australia… but we need ry registered nurses in eve List shows a shortage of ry, so there are plenty of rito Australian state and ter h. carve your own career pat opportunities for you to two no – eer car d rewarding Nursing is an amazing an be ’ll you d an e be the sam days on the job will ever lth. e to people’s lives and hea enc fer dif a g actively makin ns combine with other passio It’s also a career you can lth, specialise in mental hea and interests. You could lth, l na , surgical, correctio hea cardiac care, neuroscience s and more. intensive care, paediatric

Pay day

Accord ing to SEEK , the average salary of a

registered nurse is $80,000 to $90,000.

Bachelor of Nursing (Enrolled Nurses) Bachelor of Nursing (Honours)

Enrolled vs registered

Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Business Admin

ce?

What’s the differen can rse nu led rol en An d record monitor patients an and blood lse pu re, atu per tem medicine, ter nis mi pressu re, ad genera l th and help patients wi ey Th s. tie ivi act da ily liv ing tea m and der wi a th wi rk wo n of a under the superv isio reg istered A . rse nu d ere ist reg scope tha n nu rse has a larger They can an en rol led nu rse. ate care cre , nts assess patie rol led nu rses en ise erv sup , ns pla mbers, and me m tea and jun ior sition s. po work in leadersh ip

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Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Paramedicine ACU is also home to the Nursing Research Institute, which runs in partnership with the St Vincent’s Health Network Sydney and St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne. It brings together researchers and clinicians to implement evidence-based care to improve things such as stroke management and patient outcomes.

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Scan here to find out more!

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Nursing + maths = a strong combo maths First things first, don’t drop you’ll if you want to be a nurse – l need: use it every single day! You’l

• Arithmetic for IV and s medication calculation • Metric conversions and decimals when dealing with weight g • Fractions, ratios, rounfodin r and unit conversions ion at dic me ing administer dosages ygen • Percentages for giving ox

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places you could work (besides a hospital) Disability services

1 2 3 4 5 6

Rehabilitation services

Specialist centres Community health

Residential aged care facilities

Hospital emergency departments Local and state government health departments

7 Career paths FYI, nurses work in all kinds of areas and at different levels. Here are some future job titles to consider: • Enrolled nurse • Registered nurse • Aged care nurse • Mental health nurse • Clinical education nurse • Paediatric nurse • Surgical nurse

Soft skills Besides the nursing knowledge you’ll pick up while studying, you’ll need: • Communication • Time management • Teamwork • Problem solving • Professionalism • Adaptability • Empathy • Leadership 5

Not-for-profit organisations

8 9 10

Mental health services Rural health services

Postgrad power

Postg rad study at AC U is a great way to level up your nursing career.

From graduate cer tificates and diplomas to Master’s deg rees, you could gain ex tra qu alifications in clinical nursing, mental health, leadersh ip and mana gement in healthcare, public he alth, and dig ital health. To lea rn more, visit bit.ly/ACU Nursing PostGrad

NURSE

REAL PEOPLE

Giving and growing The opportunity to help communities and learn new things every day makes nursing the perfect career path for Arvin Ramos

M

healthy living and caring otivated by his pas sion for career paths after for others, Arvin switched l courses. He decided era sev g shin studying and fini r and ACU, is now in his third yea on a Bachelor of Nur sing at hasn’t looked back. a father of two teenagers, As a mature-age student and his is flexible and fits in around Arvin likes that his degree the s rate ly high He ily. and fam busy daily schedule of work are tors ruc inst and ff sta e . “Th ACU lecturers and tutors too every need.” ver y willing to assist in my light of the degree. Arvin’s a n Placements have bee high his ility, which he says opened first was at an aged care fac also He for. ed s should be car eyes to how dementia patient with Indigenous patients, king wor nt eme had a rural plac

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There’s a great opportunity to be of improving lives.”part allowing him to better understand their culture and beliefs and how to then give appropriate healthcare. Arvin is now pursuing a career in the disability sector. “The National Disability Insurance Scheme has opportunities for nurses to service their clients in the community,” he explains. “I find that patients get treated for their symptoms and illness at the hospital, but their recovery really happens at home after they get discharged. This is a great opportunity to actually be part of improving their lives.”

Arvin says the passion and fun of learning has been reignited in him by studying a Bachelor of Nursing at ACU. “I also learned that there is no age limit to learning and studying, it is not too late to chase that passion.”

Support Services Officer - Intensive Care Unit, Royal North Shore Hospital Associate Degree in Policing Practice, Charles Sturt University

CAREERSwithSTEM.com

constable, nsw police

arvin ramos nursing student

Physiotherapy Assistant Certificate, Thompson Career College Technology for Healthy Living course, University of Tasmania

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Constable, NSW Police Force

Allied Health Assistant - Physiotherapy Department, Concord Repatriation General Hospital Practice Manager/ Director, Optimised Living Pty Ltd

Bachelor of Nursing, ACU

D E R E T S I G E R … a f A day in the life o E S R U N C I T E H T S ANAE

she gets as a registered nurse Reeya Shakya loves the variety

I

dical nitially considering biome couraged into en s wa engineering, Reeya mbers, one of nursing by her family me whom is also a nurse. first year of Reeya says it was in her ysiology, and learning anatomy and ph t professiona l then experiencing her firs d what an lise placement, when she rea would be. ng rsi engaging profession nu Reeya a, ali str Au After moving to rsing at ACU Nu of lor che embarked on a Ba re super helpfu l, and says her teachers we ts placements including finding studen ns. during pandemic lockdow ng part-time for rki wo ed oy enj o als Reeya t in tan sis ACU as a Technica l As s simulations ty’ rsi ive a role in one of the un

7.30am

I meet my first patient of the day, and approaching them with warmth and empathy conduct pre-operative checks with precision.

Beyond the medical checklist, I take the time to build a connection, offering reassurance and emotional support to alle viate any anxieties surrounding the upc oming surgery.

8am

labs, where students wo rk with high-tech mannequins and prepa re for lab classes in a simulated hospital env ironment.

Now loving nursing and working not one but three jobs by cho ice to explore the possibilities of nursing, Reeya’s early career has seen her try a bunch of different work settings to see which she enjoys the most.

“It’s never a boring job. Yo u always have a pat hway you can take.

So if you don’t want to do bedside nursi ng, you can work in an operating theatre and learn things there. Or if you don’t wa nt to work in a hospital, you can do home care, or aged care, or even teaching,” Reeya says.

Having found she enjoy s all of her current roles, Reeya is no w working towards having her own business working with a team of nurses.

Registered nurse, Nepal Registered Nurse, Twilight Aged Care

Here’s what a day in Reeya’s work life is like: 6.30am I arrive at the hospital, enter the operating theatre, and check the anaesthetic machine to ensure everything is working.

7.00am Safety is paramount so I meticulously scan the theatre for any potential hazards, ensuring a smooth and secure environment for both patients and staff.

I prepare materials needed in case of an emergency, which include an airway trolley containing all the equipment needed to protect the patient’s airway if things go wrong. I also check and ensure an ample supply of medications and equipment for the day’s procedures.

Bachelor of Nursing, ACU

Assistant simulation officer, ACU

Anaesthetic Nurse, Nepean Private Hospital

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As the surgical team prepares to begin, I ensure the doctors have all the necessary information at their fingertips.

I assist the anaesthetist in the delicate process of intubating the patient and ass ist with administering anaesthetic med ication.

I monitor vital signs and ens ure patient comfort, remaining calm ami d the flurry of activity. As the procedures dra w to a close, I help the anaesthetist to extu bate the patient and then conduct a han dover with the recovery nurse, ensuring a sea mless transition of care. I then brin g the next patient in and follow similar steps.

12:30 pm

After handing over to the afte rnoon nurse I head for lunch.

1:20 pm

I give other staff a break and set up equipment for the next day.

2.30pm

I head home with a warm feel ing knowing I’ve helped someone who needed it.

Nursing Assistant, St. Vincents Health

Clinical Care Consultant, Home Instead

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You always have a pathway you can take.”

NURSE

Get the job!

Sold on nursing? Congrats! Now it’s time to prepare.

We’ve got you covered below…

Follow These nurses will give you n insights into the professio : ram tag as you scroll Ins @nurse.blake ’ll For hilarious nurse humour you want to send your mates

@sarah_gaines

For lots of travel nursing insp

o

@nursemariela

For all the career growth tips

Electives checklist ✔ Maths ✔ English ✔ Biolog y ✔ PDHPE ✔ Commun ity and Fa m ily Studies

Read

Watch

Get your nose into these books, future nurse!

• Off the Charts by Georgie Carroll

Settle in on the couch with these shows, all in the name of research for your future nursing career!

Forde-Johnston

• T he Courage to Care: A Call for Compassion by Anna Kent

• E R Nurses: True Stories from the Frontline by James Patterson and Matt Eversmann

t Open Day so Keep an eye out for ACU’s nex more about you can head along to find out f and staf their nursing degrees from pus is cam wn students. Their Blackto s will have litie faci ir the especially good and r uni you of top the at m you popping the ’re you ile Wh y. awa t righ preferences list nursing the out ck che to et forg ’t there, don ds! labs and bed simulation war

Celebrate Each year, International Nur ses Day is celebrated on May 12, the birt hday of Florence Nightingale (the fou nder of modern nursing). It’s a day to appreciate and give a shout out to nurses and how they contrib ute to and help society. If you know a nur se, treat them with a self-care gift or tell them how incredible you think the y are.

Nurses (Apple TV): be a fly on the wall in Australian hospitals to see how nurses (a.k.a. heroes!) face life and death situations every day.

One Born Every Minute Australia (10 Play): find out what it’s like to work at Sydney’s Westmead Hospital Birthing Unit.

Keeping Australia Alive (ABC iview): this doco snapshots the Australian health system with 100 cameras over 24 hours.

24 Hours in A&E (7plus): takes you behind the scenes of some of the UK’s busiest emergency departments.

The Mind, Explained (Netflix): if you’re interested in mental health, this series delves into everything from anxiety to dreaming to see how the brain works.

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This edition was published on 26 March 2024 and last updated 10 November 2025.

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•H ow to Thrive as a Newly Qualified Nurse by Carol

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