Bachelor of Nursing - Enrolled Nurse to Registered Nurse pathway

2 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Southern Cross University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Nursing at Southern Cross University is designed to prepare students for a rewarding career as a Registered Nurse through a combination of evidence-based theory, hands-on clinical experience, and immersive healthcare training. This program is ideal for students who are passionate about patient care, community wellbeing, and making a meaningful impact in healthcare while developing the confidence and practical skills needed for modern nursing practice.

Curriculum Structure

First Year

In the first year, students build strong foundational knowledge in health sciences, communication, and nursing practice. Units such as Introductory Anatomy and Physiology, Foundations of Clinical Practice, and Fundamentals of Nursing Practice introduce students to human body systems, patient care principles, and essential clinical skills. Students also explore mental health, wellbeing, and interprofessional healthcare through subjects like Understanding Wellbeing and Mental Health and Foundations of Interprofessional Health Practice.

Second Year

The second year focuses on developing clinical reasoning, assessment skills, and specialised nursing knowledge across diverse healthcare settings. Students study units including Foundations of Health Assessment, Mental Health Nursing, and Positive Approaches to Chronic Health and Disability, while gaining deeper understanding of pharmacology, aged care, and community health systems. Practical learning is reinforced through supervised placements and units such as Nursing Practices 1 and Building Healthy Communities through Impactful Partnerships.

Focus Areas:

Clinical nursing practice, patient-centred care, mental health nursing, chronic disease management, leadership in healthcare, paediatric nursing, Indigenous health, evidence-based practice, community healthcare, interprofessional collaboration.

Learning Outcomes:

Students graduate with the ability to deliver safe and evidence-based nursing care, apply clinical reasoning in complex healthcare settings, communicate effectively with patients and healthcare teams, demonstrate cultural responsiveness, and meet professional nursing standards required for modern healthcare environments.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The Bachelor of Nursing is accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) and provides the academic qualification required for eligibility to register as a Registered Nurse with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

Reputation (Employability Rankings):

Southern Cross University’s Nursing discipline is ranked in the global top 151–225 universities for Nursing in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026. According to the Good Universities Guide 2026, 89% of undergraduate nursing graduates secure full-time employment within four months of completing their studies, highlighting the strong industry reputation and employability outcomes of the program.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Southern Cross University, the Bachelor of Nursing is designed to give students extensive real-world healthcare experience alongside strong theoretical foundations. From the beginning of the program, students engage in immersive and interactive learning through simulation training, supervised clinical placements, and collaborative healthcare activities that prepare them for professional nursing practice in diverse healthcare settings.

Students learn in modern health facilities across the Lismore, Gold Coast, and Coffs Harbour campuses, using industry-standard simulation laboratories and specialist healthcare environments. The program strongly focuses on Work Integrated Learning (WIL), allowing students to apply their knowledge in hospitals, aged care centres, mental health services, community clinics, and rural healthcare facilities throughout their degree. These practical experiences help students build clinical confidence, communication skills, and professional readiness for registration as Registered Nurses:

Clinical Placements (840 Hours WIL): Students complete approximately 840 hours of supervised Work Integrated Learning across public and private healthcare settings including critical care, paediatrics, aged care, mental health, GP clinics, community health services, and rural or remote healthcare facilities.
Simulation Laboratories: Students train in state-of-the-art simulation labs equipped with clinical hospital-style environments and simulation technology that replicate real healthcare scenarios, helping them safely develop practical nursing skills before placements.
Interactive Learning Model: Southern Cross University’s “Southern Cross Model” uses immersive six-week teaching blocks focused on active learning, workshops, discussions, practical activities, and reflective practice rather than traditional lecture-only delivery.
Healthcare Technology and Digital Learning: Students engage with online learning platforms, digital study materials, virtual classes, healthcare documentation systems, and technology-enhanced learning tools used in contemporary nursing practice.
Interprofessional and Collaborative Learning: Group-based learning activities and collaborative healthcare exercises help students strengthen teamwork, communication, and interdisciplinary care skills essential for modern healthcare environments.
International Placement Opportunities: Nursing students may have opportunities to participate in international healthcare experiences such as clinical placements and cultural immersion programs in India through partnerships supported by the New Colombo Plan Mobility Grant.
Student-Led Health Clinics: Southern Cross University operates on-campus Health Clinics where students can engage in supervised clinical activities including patient assessment, care planning, and healthcare interventions in real community settings.
Research and Specialist Facilities: Students have access to specialist health facilities, research laboratories, and research opportunities focused on improving healthcare practice, community health outcomes, and evidence-based nursing care.
Libraries and Academic Resources: The university provides extensive access to nursing journals, healthcare databases, digital libraries, study support services, and academic learning spaces designed specifically for health students.
Faculty of Health Support Network: Students benefit from dedicated support through the Faculty of Health, including placement preparation, professional mentoring, academic support services, and industry engagement opportunities.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Nursing at Southern Cross University are highly employable healthcare professionals equipped with strong clinical skills, practical placement experience, and evidence-based nursing knowledge. The program prepares students for rewarding careers across hospitals, aged care, community health, mental health, and regional healthcare services, with graduates commonly working as Registered Nurses, Community Health Nurses, Mental Health Nurses, and Critical Care Nurses. Southern Cross University’s strong focus on Work Integrated Learning and industry engagement ensures students graduate career-ready and confident in professional healthcare environments.

This strong graduate preparation is supported by excellent future opportunities and industry connections:

Outstanding Employment Outcomes: According to the Good Universities Guide 2026, 89% of undergraduate nursing graduates from Southern Cross University secured full-time employment within four months of completing their studies, highlighting the strong demand for SCU nursing graduates.
Competitive Graduate Salaries: Registered nurses in Australia typically earn starting salaries ranging from approximately AUD $70,000–$95,000 per year depending on location, experience, and specialisation, with higher salaries available in critical care, surgical nursing, and remote healthcare settings.
Career and Employability Services: Southern Cross University provides students with career development support through resume workshops, interview preparation, employability programs, placement preparation assistance, networking opportunities, and student support services designed to help graduates transition smoothly into the healthcare workforce.
Industry Partnerships and Clinical Placements: Students complete extensive supervised Work Integrated Learning placements across public and private hospitals, GP clinics, aged care facilities, community health services, rural healthcare centres, paediatrics, critical care, and mental health settings. These industry partnerships provide valuable real-world experience and professional networking opportunities before graduation.
Professional Accreditation Value: The Bachelor of Nursing is accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) and approved through the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC). Graduates are eligible to apply for registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), providing long-term professional recognition across Australia and internationally.
Graduate Readiness and Practical Experience: Students complete at least 600–840 hours of supervised professional placement combined with simulation-based learning and problem-based clinical scenarios, ensuring they graduate with practical skills and confidence in patient care.
Global Reputation and Employability Rankings: Southern Cross University’s Nursing discipline is ranked within the global top 225 universities for Nursing in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, reflecting the university’s growing reputation for healthcare education and graduate employability.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the Bachelor of Nursing, students can continue their studies through postgraduate qualifications such as Graduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas, or Master’s degrees in Nursing, Mental Health, Critical Care, Public Health, Healthcare Leadership, Clinical Education, or Research. Southern Cross University also offers pathways into advanced research programs including Master by Research and PhD studies, leading to opportunities in healthcare leadership, nurse education, specialised clinical practice, and healthcare research.