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QUALIFICATION

Diploma of Nursing


 National Code: HLT54121
 TAFE SA Code: TP01261


2025 start

Description

Gain the essential knowledge and skills required to provide caring, compassionate and effective nursing care as an Enrolled Nurse working under the supervision of a Registered Nurse. This course focuses on integrating theory with practice, giving you the skills to problem solve and work in a collaborative team environment across a range of health care settings.

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Duration
Example Career Profile
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21 months 

Full Time or Part Time equivalent

Nurse (Enrolled)
Nurse (Enrolled)
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Locations & Applications

Competitive Applications

Campus / Location
Code
Study Mode
Study Load
Scheduled
Adelaide City

801100

Blended Blended – learn in a mixture of classroom and online environments. On campus learning will be scheduled but online learning can provide more flexibility. Lecturer support will be provided for all study. Access to a computer with an internet connection is required.
Full Time Full Time
Day Only
Apply Now
Adelaide City

801101

Blended Blended – learn in a mixture of classroom and online environments. On campus learning will be scheduled but online learning can provide more flexibility. Lecturer support will be provided for all study. Access to a computer with an internet connection is required.
Part Time Part Time
Evening Only
Apply Now
Barossa Valley

844318

Blended Blended – learn in a mixture of classroom and online environments. On campus learning will be scheduled but online learning can provide more flexibility. Lecturer support will be provided for all study. Access to a computer with an internet connection is required.
Full Time Full Time
Day Only
Apply Now
Gilles Plains

840304

Blended Blended – learn in a mixture of classroom and online environments. On campus learning will be scheduled but online learning can provide more flexibility. Lecturer support will be provided for all study. Access to a computer with an internet connection is required.
Full Time Full Time
Day Only
Apply Now
Gilles Plains

840305

Blended Blended – learn in a mixture of classroom and online environments. On campus learning will be scheduled but online learning can provide more flexibility. Lecturer support will be provided for all study. Access to a computer with an internet connection is required.
Part Time Part Time
Evening Only
Apply Now
Mount Barker

809010

Blended Blended – learn in a mixture of classroom and online environments. On campus learning will be scheduled but online learning can provide more flexibility. Lecturer support will be provided for all study. Access to a computer with an internet connection is required.
Full Time Full Time
Day Only
Apply Now
Mount Gambier

855015

Blended Blended – learn in a mixture of classroom and online environments. On campus learning will be scheduled but online learning can provide more flexibility. Lecturer support will be provided for all study. Access to a computer with an internet connection is required.
Part Time Part Time
Day Only
Apply Now
Mount Gambier

855336

Blended Blended – learn in a mixture of classroom and online environments. On campus learning will be scheduled but online learning can provide more flexibility. Lecturer support will be provided for all study. Access to a computer with an internet connection is required.
Full Time Full Time
Day Only
Apply Now
Noarlunga

815201

Blended Blended – learn in a mixture of classroom and online environments. On campus learning will be scheduled but online learning can provide more flexibility. Lecturer support will be provided for all study. Access to a computer with an internet connection is required.
Full Time Full Time
Day Only
Apply Now
Noarlunga

815330

Blended Blended – learn in a mixture of classroom and online environments. On campus learning will be scheduled but online learning can provide more flexibility. Lecturer support will be provided for all study. Access to a computer with an internet connection is required.
Part Time Part Time
Evening Only
Apply Now
Port Pirie

828318

Blended Blended – learn in a mixture of classroom and online environments. On campus learning will be scheduled but online learning can provide more flexibility. Lecturer support will be provided for all study. Access to a computer with an internet connection is required.
Full Time Full Time
Day Only
Apply Now
Port Pirie

828334

Blended Blended – learn in a mixture of classroom and online environments. On campus learning will be scheduled but online learning can provide more flexibility. Lecturer support will be provided for all study. Access to a computer with an internet connection is required.
Part Time Part Time
Day Only
Apply Now
Whyalla

839004

Blended Blended – learn in a mixture of classroom and online environments. On campus learning will be scheduled but online learning can provide more flexibility. Lecturer support will be provided for all study. Access to a computer with an internet connection is required.
Full Time Full Time
Day Only
Apply Now
Whyalla

839314

Blended Blended – learn in a mixture of classroom and online environments. On campus learning will be scheduled but online learning can provide more flexibility. Lecturer support will be provided for all study. Access to a computer with an internet connection is required.
Part Time Part Time
Day Only
Apply Now

Icon Legend

On campus/location

On Campus/Location

On campus/location – learn in a classroom environment that gives you the opportunity to interact with your lecturer and fellow students in person.
Online

Online

Online – learn at your own pace, in your own space. Lecturer support will be provided via email and interaction with fellow students may be available via forums and chat groups. Online courses require access to a computer with an internet connection.
Blended

Blended

Blended – learn in a mixture of classroom and online environments. On campus learning will be scheduled but online learning can provide more flexibility. Lecturer support will be provided for all study. Access to a computer with an internet connection is required.
Virtual Classroom

Virtual Classroom

Virtual Classroom – online classes are delivered by Collaborate. Collaborate is a web-based online classroom collaboration tool that acts as a real-time virtual classroom.
Workplace

Workplace

Workplace – if you are currently employed in the industry but do not have a formal qualification TAFE SA can recognise the skills you already have. The duration of the course will be determined by your individual study plan.
Full Time

Full Time

Full Time classes
Part Time

Part Time

Part Time classes
Day Classes

Day Classes

Day time classes
Evening Classes

Evening Classes

Evening time classes
International

International

A course available to International students

Course Admission Requirements

Find out more about Nursing Entry Requirements.
If there are more applications for this course than places available, applicants will be ranked by date of application to this course.

Please Read Before Applying

Attendance Requirements (subject to change)
Course Orientation sessions are compulsory. The Diploma of Nursing can be studied at 8 different campuses. Study is blended with on-campus and online learning. The balance of each will differ between campuses. Further attendance details are in the Course Brochure.

Industry Conditions and Skills
Being an Enrolled Nurse can be physically and emotionally challenging. We recommend that you carefully read the course brochure. As a nursing student, you will need to be able to manage your career and work life, interact with others, plan and organise, problem solve, show initiative and use technology.

Additional Uniforms, Equipment and Costs
You will need to pay for your National Police check, Working with Children check, Manual Handling for Nursing, CPR and immunisations. You will need to purchase a TAFE SA polo shirt (uniform).

Vocational Placements
You will need to successfully complete a vocational (clinical) placement of a minimum of 400 hours as part of this course. All placements are organised by the TAFE SA Placement unit. Placements are full time and taken as nursing shifts.

Mandatory Requirements
You will need to have a satisfactory criminal history check and required immunisations before starting your vocational placement. Required immunisations are outlined in the Immunisation for Health Care Workers in South Australia Policy Directive (2017). You will need to provide evidence of a tuberculosis screening and of immune status. If you cannot meet these requirements you may not be able to complete your vocational placement and this course.

Fees

Average cost per semester
Total Fees for the 21 month course
Subsidised
$3,277
$11,469
Concession
$2,515
$8,802
You may be eligible for government subsidised training.
Subsidised Training Eligibility
Subsidised training may require applicants to complete a Core Skills Profile Assessment (CSPA).
What is the CSPA?
Full Fee
$9,144
$32,004

Fees vary depending on subjects you enrol into. TAFE SA and their agents reserve the right to make any changes necessary. Fee updates will be available prior to offers being made.

  • Help with Fees

    Upfront Payment

    Each semester, fees can be paid online with VISA or Mastercard or at an Australia Post outlet.

    Read More

    VET Student Loan

    This is an interest-free personal loan from the Australian Government that provides eligible students access to capped funding to help pay for their studies.

    Read More

  • Employment Outcomes & Skills Covered

    Employment Outcomes

    Career opportunities include working as an Enrolled Nurse. Enrolled Nurses work under the direction and supervision of registered nurses and are employed across a variety of health care contexts including hospital, community, residential, mental health, rehabilitation, rural and remote settings.

    To work as a nurse in Australia, you must be registered with the NMBA through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

    Note: Completion of a TAFE SA course does not guarantee an employment outcome. Formal requirements other than educational qualifications (eg licensing, professional registration), may apply to some occupations.

    Qualifications & Skills Covered

    Diploma of Nursing (HLT54121)
    Knowledge and skills will be developed in areas including communication, cultural diversity, law and ethics, anatomy and physiology, research, nursing assessment and care of people with acute and chronic health conditions, including mental health, diabetes and palliative care; wound and medication management. To successfully complete the qualification you are required to complete all 20 core units and 5 elective units, and a minimum of 400 hours of clinical placement in a range of settings (this will be organised by TAFE SA).

    Note: Students who successfully complete only one or more units of competency but not the full qualification are eligible to receive a Statement of Attainment.

  • Course Units

    Below is a list of all units that TAFE SA can offer in this qualification. The selection of elective units you will be enrolled into depends on the campus you attend, and the qualification packaging rules described on www.training.gov.au.

    Not all elective units listed below must necessarily be completed to achieve your qualification.

    Core

    Name Nominal Hours
    Administer and monitor medicines and intravenous therapy 275
    Analyse and respond to client health information 60
    Apply communication skills in nursing practice 50
    Apply legal and ethical parameters to nursing practice 30
    Apply nursing practice in the primary health care setting 80
    Apply principles of wound management 60
    Confirm physical health status 90
    Follow safe work practices for direct client care 25
    Implement and monitor care for a person with acute health conditions 150
    Implement and monitor care for a person with chronic health conditions 60
    Implement and monitor care for a person with mental health conditions 60
    Implement and monitor care of the older person 75
    Implement, monitor and evaluate nursing care 110
    Perform clinical assessment and contribute to planning nursing care 50
    Practise nursing within the Australian health care system 75
    Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety 25
    Provide end of life care and a palliative approach in nursing practice 70
    Reflect on and improve own professional practice 120
    Work with diverse people 40

    Elective

    Name Nominal Hours
    Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control 35
    Contribute to nursing care of a person with diabetes 80
    Interpret and use information about nutrition and diet 50
    Manage personal stressors in the work environment 25
    Provide First Aid 18
    Research and apply evidence to practice 65

  • Credit Transfer

    Studying at TAFE SA is one of the easiest pathways towards a University Degree. Credit Transfer is the formal recognition that parts of a TAFE SA course are equivalent in content and level to parts of some University courses. Below are the Credit Transfer details for this course. View all TAFE SA Credit Transfer Agreements

    University University Course Details
    Bachelor of Nursing

Further Information

Brochure

Course guide

Brochure

Pre-enrolment Brochure

Contact us

Course enquiries and more information

Diploma of Nursing
TP01261
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