Whether you’re starting your journey in nursing or looking to advance your career, there are various nursing degree level options that may be a suitable fit for you.
If you’re wondering which nursing degree level to pursue, whether it’s a diploma, bachelor’s, graduate certificate, graduate diploma or master’s, take this quiz to discover the course that best aligns with your career goals and interests.
Quiz: Which nursing degree level should you pursue?
Take this quiz to discover which nursing degree level might be the right fit for you.
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How much time can you dedicate to your nursing studies?
A) I’m new to nursing and want to enter the field as quickly as possible
B) I’m new to nursing and am willing to invest the time required to gain comprehensive knowledge and skills
C) I am currently working in nursing and can commit to less than a year part-time for further studies
D) I am currently working in nursing and can commit to less than two years part-time for further studies
E) I am currently working as a nurse and am willing to commit to however long it takes -
What are your current career goals in nursing?
A) To gain the foundational skills and knowledge required to quickly start a career in nursing
B) To gain the comprehensive theoretical and practical knowledge to take on a broader scope of responsibilities when I start my nursing career
C) Build on my current foundation and enhance my skills in specific areas of nursing
D) To develop advanced expertise in nursing or a particular specialisation and advance into nurse leadership roles
E) To advance into leadership, research or academic nursing roles by achieving the highest level of nursing education -
What would you like the focus of your nursing education to be?
A) Acquiring foundational nursing knowledge and skills through on-campus simulation laboratories and industry placements
B) Gaining comprehensive theoretical and practical knowledge through innovative research, clinical practice, simulations and extensive industry placements
C) Upskilling and gaining essential skills and knowledge in a specific area of nursing in the quickest amount of time
D) Building further knowledge and advancing my skills in a specific area of nursing with the goal of becoming well-versed in this chosen specialisation
E) Gaining skills to lead multidisciplinary teams and create transformational change with a focus on leadership, research or high-level clinical practice -
What role do you see yourself in after completing your studies?
A) Providing hands-on, compassionate care for patients in health and community settings under the supervision of doctors and registered nurses
B) Working with doctors and other healthcare professionals to perform a variety of tasks including patient assessment, medication management and performing technical procedures
C) Working in a specific field of nursing such as aged care, acute care or mental health
D) Working in a specialised nursing role or in leadership roles such as nurse unit manager, clinical nurse consultant or nurse educator
E) In a leadership, research or higher education and academia role -
How many years of experience do you have as a nurse?
A) None, I’m new to nursing and looking to start my career as soon as possible
B) None, but I’m ready to take the time required to develop the necessary skills
C) One to two years, I’m currently a nurse and want to enhance my skills in a specific area
D) Two to three years, I’m ready to pursue advanced nursing skills to progress my career
E) Three years or more, I’m experienced and looking to move into leadership or senior nursing roles -
What type of learning experience are you seeking?
A) A hands-on, practical learning experience focused on direct patient care
B) In-depth theoretical coursework which includes an introduction to research methods, evidence-based practices and extensive clinical placements
C) A focused learning experience which allows me to quickly build expertise in a specific area
D) A program that offers advanced theoretical and clinical knowledge and a more in-depth exploration of a specific specialisation
E) A learning experience which combines advanced theoretical coursework, research-based practice and opportunities for specialisations in areas like leadership and education -
How important is career progression to you at this stage?
A) Not my primary focus, I want to start working as soon as possible
B) Not that important but I want a foundation that offers room for growth in the future
C) Important, I do want to progress my career but am looking to gain specialised skills and knowledge first
D) Very important, I would like to advance to leadership roles in nursing or in a particular specialisation
E) Extremely important, I’m looking to work in senior nurse leadership positions such as director of nursing -
What kind of skills are you hoping to gain or enhance?
A) Foundational, hands-on skills to work in practical care settings like aged care or hospitals
B) A wide range of skills from patient assessment to clinical decision-making and evidence-based practice
C) Developing specialised skills in a specific area such as mental health or acute care
D) Advanced clinical and theoretical knowledge to prepare for leadership or advanced practice roles
E) Advanced skills in leadership, research and critical thinking -
What credentials are you looking to gain from your nursing program?
A) A qualification that provides the foundational knowledge and skills to quickly begin my nursing career
B) A degree that provides me with comprehensive knowledge and clinical skills to independently assess, plan and deliver high-quality patient care
C) A specialised certification that showcases my nursing expertise in a specific area
D) A credential that will deepen my clinical expertise and broaden my career opportunities
E) A qualification that will position me as a leader in nursing, equipping me with advanced knowledge in aspects like research and leadership -
What excites you most about pursuing nursing education?
A) Quickly learning the foundational skills to start a rewarding career in patient care
B) Gaining the knowledge and clinical experience to work independently in nursing
C) Developing skills in a specialised field and improving my clinical practice
D) Advancing my knowledge and skills to take on more complex and challenging nursing roles
E) Gaining advanced leadership, research and clinical skills that will enable me to take on roles where I can influence and inspire the next generation of nurses
Results
Mostly A’s: Diploma of Nursing
A Diploma of Nursing is ideal for individuals who want to enter the field quickly. This hands-on, practical program is typically completed in 18 to 24 months and prepares you to become an enrolled nurse where you will work under the supervision of a registered nurse in various healthcare settings like aged care, hospitals and general practices.
During your course, you can expect to study topics such as wound management, basic anatomy and physiology and learn how to administer medication for a wide range of patients.
Mostly B’s: Bachelor of Nursing
A Bachelor of Nursing is ideal for those who want to gain comprehensive knowledge and clinical skills to become a registered nurse. As a registered nurse, you’ll have the autonomy to work in diverse healthcare environments and the opportunity to specialise later in your career.
This undergraduate degree, typically completed in three years full-time, provides theoretical and practical training, preparing you to assess, plan and manage patient care independently.
The Bachelor of Nursing offered by the University of Canberra is an immersive and fully interactive course which incorporates the latest teaching methods while also using technological and medical equipment to simulate real-life scenarios.
With this course, you’ll not only undertake multiple clinical placement opportunities but will also undertake 24 core units which includes units such as Mental Healthcare in Practice, Quality, Safety and Leadership in Healthcare and Integrating Pathophysiology.
Mostly C’s: Graduate Certificate in Nursing
A Graduate Certificate in Nursing is suitable for nurses with at least one year of clinical nursing experience who want to enhance their skills in a specific area without committing to a lengthy program.
Typically completed between six months and one year part-time or full-time, this program focuses on enhancing skills in a specific area such as acute care, mental health or aged care.
It’s an excellent choice for those looking to upskill quickly, gain immediate practical expertise or test the waters before committing to further study. Many graduate certificates also serve as a pathway to a graduate diploma or master’s in nursing.
At GlobalHealth Education, our university partners offer a wide range of online graduate certificate nursing courses for you to choose from.
The Graduate Certificate in Acute Care Nursing by the University of Technology Sydney, for example, is ideal for those looking to further enhance their skills by studying subjects such as Specialty Clinical Practice and Recognising and Responding to Acute Deterioration.
For those interested in specialising in mental health nursing, the Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Nursing by Victoria University focuses on developing your understanding of mental health and your skills in examining common mental illnesses with units such as Recovery Oriented Mental Health and Effective Trauma-Informed Care.
James Cook University also offers a Graduate Certificate of Nursing Majoring in Education for those interested in specialising in healthcare education by studying units such as Clinical Coaching and Teaching in Practice Settings.
The courses below are listed by qualification level, from lowest to highest.
Mostly D’s: Graduate Diploma in Nursing
A Graduate Diploma in Nursing is designed for nurses seeking a more comprehensive understanding of a speciality area while developing advanced clinical and professional skills.
This qualification is ideal for those with a few years of work experience and are looking to advance their practice or take on roles with greater responsibility, while still allowing the flexibility to transition into a Master of Nursing for further academic and professional growth.
The program typically takes between one to two years to complete, either part-time or full-time, and offers a broader curriculum compared to the graduate certificate, often including more in-depth theoretical content.
If you’re looking to gain a more in-depth understanding of mental health nursing and develop the skills to effectively respond to challenges within mental health, the Graduate Diploma of Mental Health Nursing by Southern Cross University, one of the online graduate diploma nursing courses offered by our university partners, could be a suitable fit. During the course, you will study units such as Acute Mental Health, Mental Health Across the Lifespan and Physical Healthcare in Mental Health.
For those looking to lead nursing practice and optimise patient outcomes in a hospital setting, the Graduate Diploma of Nursing Majoring in Advanced Practice at James Cook University offers units such as Advanced Health Assessment and Effective Clinical Governance.
The courses below are listed by qualification level, from lowest to highest.
Mostly E’s: Master of Nursing
A Master of Nursing is the most comprehensive postgraduate qualification for experienced nurses with several years of work experience. Typically completed between one and three years, either part-time or full-time, this program combines core units with advanced specialisation options.
With a focus on critical thinking, research and leadership, a Master of Nursing prepares you to influence healthcare systems, lead multidisciplinary teams or educate the next generation of nurses.
Some examples of Master of Nursing online courses offered by our university partners include the Master of Nursing with a specialisation in chronic disease and ageing delivered by Victoria University. During this course, you will study eight core units and four specialisation units which includes a practical, multi-faceted research project.
James Cook University also offers a Master of Nursing Majoring in Advanced Practice where you will undertake core subjects such as Qualitative Research in Healthcare and Professional Portfolios for Career Advancement as well as specialisation units such as Advanced Health Assessment and Quality Use of Medicines in Practice.
The courses below are listed by qualification level, from lowest to highest.
Why complete an undergraduate nursing degree?
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Jumpstart your career in a growing field
According to Jobs and Skills Australia, jobs for registered nurses are expected to increase by 11.3 per cent by 2029 while jobs for enrolled nurses are projected to grow by 10 per cent.Completing an undergraduate nursing degree is a crucial first step towards starting your nursing career. While a Diploma of Nursing equips you with the foundational knowledge and skills to step into the role of an enrolled nurse, a Bachelor of Nursing has a more comprehensive curriculum that will prepare you for the broader responsibilities of a registered nurse.
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Gain the foundational skills required to excel in your nursing career
Undergraduate nursing programs in Australia combine theoretical learning with clinical placements that may be conducted in hospitals, aged care facilities or community health settings. This hands-on approach ensures you develop the skills and confidence to excel in a variety of healthcare environments. -
Fulfill the requirements needed to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA)
In order to register with the NMBA and practise as a nurse in Australia, you must have completed an undergraduate nursing qualification.Completing a Diploma of Nursing allows you to register as an enrolled nurse, while completing a Bachelor of Nursing allows you to register as a registered nurse.
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Work in a rewarding and fulfilling profession
Completing an undergraduate nursing degree allows you to work in a profession where you will help patients through recovery, advocate for their wellbeing and contribute to positive health outcomes. You will also have the opportunity to work in diverse healthcare settings, collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and grow both personally and professionally in a highly respected and rewarding career.
Why complete a postgraduate nursing degree?
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Develop specialised skills in high-demand areas
Postgraduate nursing programs allow you to build expertise in high-demand specialities such as mental health, acute care or aged care.These programs are designed to help you focus on specific areas of nursing, enhancing your practical and theoretical skills to address complex healthcare needs and deliver the best patient outcomes.
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Advance to leadership roles in nursing
Postgraduate qualifications such as a Master of Nursing typically consist of leadership and research units which may prepare you to step into nurse leadership roles such as nurse unit manager, nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist. - Increased job opportunities and earning potential
Postgraduate credentials open doors to a wider range of nursing roles, including those with higher earning potential. For example, while a registered nurse earns between $85,000 to $95,000, a nurse practitioner earns between $130,000 to $150,000, approximately 40 per cent more. -
Stay competitive in a rapidly changing healthcare industry
The healthcare industry is rapidly evolving with the emergence of new technologies, digital health services and more.Pursuing a postgraduate nursing degree may provide you with the latest evidence-based practices and critical thinking skills to ensure that you remain competitive and adaptable in the changing healthcare landscape.
Explore the online nursing courses offered by our university partners
At GlobalHealth Education, our university partners offer a range of nursing courses to suit your interests and aspirations.
Select a course and enquire to connect with a Student Enrolment Advisor who can answer any queries that you have and guide you through the application process.
In addition to nursing, our university partners also offer courses in other disciplines ranging from counselling to mental health, psychology and social work.
