Returning to nursing practice: a guide to nursing re-entry programs

If you’ve taken a break from nursing and are wondering how to return to the profession, a re-entry program could be your path back to practice. Nursing re-entry programs are aimed at qualified nurses who have been out of professional practice, whether it’s due to starting a family, travelling, a career switch or pursuing other passions. These courses are an essential step towards returning to the nursing workforce and adhering to the regulatory requirements of the nursing sector in Australia.

This article is a helpful guide to nursing re-entry programs, who they are for, what scholarships are available and tips to help you return to study. You’ll learn about the eligibility criteria for enrolling in a re-entry program so you can get back into the workforce and revive your nursing career.

What is a nursing re-entry program?

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A nursing re-entry program is a specialised course designed for nurses who have been out of practice for five or more years, in which they can update their skills and knowledge to meet current nursing industry standards and return to the profession. These courses have a focus on clinical competency, maintaining professional nursing standards and usually include a combination of theoretical and practical components to help demonstrate readiness to return to nursing practice.

For example, Central Queensland University’s (CQU) Graduate Certificate in Nursing (Re-Entry) is an online course designed for nurses looking to re-enter the nursing workforce. It takes approximately six months to complete full-time and includes three core units: The Nurse Professional, Contemporary Australian Healthcare and Clinical Nursing Practice.

The theoretical units are offered online, for flexible delivery that fits around your work and life commitments. This course also includes a five-day residential school and 160 hours of clinical placement. You’ll be able to demonstrate your advanced clinical skills and knowledge, apply a clinical reasoning process to your practice and use an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health assessment model to determine appropriate nursing care. The Australian College of Nursing’s (ACN) Graduate Certificate in Nursing (Re‑entry) is a face‑to‑face program that takes approximately 12 weeks to complete full-time. It comprises two units focused on professional nursing concepts and clinical practice within the Australian healthcare context.

During the theoretical and practical components of this course, you’ll examine various themes relevant to nursing practice, such as cultural safety, social determinants of health and wellbeing, research and inquiry, comprehensive patient assessment and evaluation of outcomes to inform your practice. Your clinical placement within this course is divided into two blocks, each with a three-week duration in both acute and aged care settings.

Both of the above courses meet the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) requirements for professional nursing practice, which allows you to re‑register as a registered nurse.

Importantly, these courses differ from a general nursing degree, which is a course that delivers foundational nursing skills and prepares students for their initial entry into the nursing profession. Common pathways into nursing are a bachelor’s degree in nursing, which takes approximately three years to complete full-time or a graduate entry Master of Nursing program, which takes around two years of full-time study. The graduate entry option may be ideal if you’ve obtained a prior bachelor’s degree in another field and wish to make a career change into nursing.

Who should study a re-entry nursing program?

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A re-entry nursing program is tailored for previously registered nurses who no longer meet the NMBA’s recency of practice requirements.

Part of this requirement is the demonstration of evidence of recent nursing practice for a period equal to a minimum of 450 hours within the past five years. These hours do not need to be continuous and may be accumulated over the past five-year period.

If you don’t meet this practice requirement and it has been five years or more since you last practised as a nurse, you’ll need to complete either a period of supervised practice or an NMBA-approved re-entry program. To determine your eligibility for either pathway, you need to contact the NMBA, who will advise you based on your individual situation.

If you have been out of practice for 10-15 years, you may be eligible to complete an NMBA-approved re-entry to nursing program with either provisional or general registration, depending on your specific professional circumstance.

If you have been out of practice for 15 years or longer, you are required to complete a Bachelor of Nursing or equivalent qualification in order to gain your nursing registration and return to practice. Each case is individually assessed by the NMBA to determine the specific requirements for returning to nursing practice.

Examples of nursing re-entry program eligibility

If you’re wondering whether you’d be required to complete a re-entry course to return to nursing, here are a couple of examples that may provide some clarity.

Example 1

You completed your nursing degree 20 years ago and have worked in various clinical roles in different settings. You moved away from clinical nursing eight years ago to work in an administrative role, however, you’ve maintained your nursing non-practising registration. While you’ve remained active in the healthcare field, your recent role is considered non-clinical, and as such, you’ve been away from direct patient care. Now you’re ready to return to bedside nursing, however, your hands-on clinical skills and competencies need some refreshing to meet industry standards. Considering it’s been between 5-10 years since you previously worked as a clinical nurse, you would be able to apply for general registration with conditions and would likely need to complete a nursing re-entry program to transition back into nursing and patient care.

Example 2

You have previously been a registered nurse working in aged care. You stepped away from your career to raise children and take on other personal responsibilities. You last worked as a nurse 11 years ago and your registration has since lapsed and now you’re thinking about returning to work. Considering it’s been between 10-15 years since you previously worked in a clinical nursing setting, you would be able to apply for provisional registration with conditions and would likely need to complete a nursing re-entry program to regain full registration and return to the profession.

Contact the NMBA directly for further guidance if you’re unsure whether your particular circumstance requires you to complete a re-entry program in order to return to nursing.

Are scholarships available for nursing re-entry programs?

There are several scholarship opportunities designed to support nurses re-entering the workforce following a break from practice. These are typically offered by state health departments, the Australian Government and professional nursing organisations.

Nursing re-entry and healthcare scholarships

There are a range of scholarships and financial support schemes available across Australia to assist with the costs of re-entering the nursing workforce. While there are no specific scholarships for nursing re-entry programs in Queensland, various other state and territory governments, as well as professional organisations, offer scholarships or financial support to help cover tuition fees and study-related expenses.

The New South Wales and Victorian state governments offer re-entry scholarships up to a value of $15,000 to help cover tuition and placement-related costs. The South Australian and Western Australian state governments also provide support for nursing re-entry with financial assistance to cover course costs.

The ACN offers a range of Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care scholarships for nurses, including scholarships for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students studying healthcare courses.

More broadly, in Tasmania, nurses who have previously held registration may be eligible for scholarship payments towards the cost of completing their studies. The Northern Territory government offers financial support to nurses undertaking further studies, both at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

In many cases, funding for nursing re-entry courses or further nursing study is dependent on secure employment with the relevant state government health departments. Explore the government department specific to your workplace jurisdiction to confirm if you are eligible for the above scholarship opportunities.

GlobalHealth Education’s Healthcare Education Scholarship

This scholarship supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate healthcare degrees, including nursing degrees. The award money can be used to cover the cost of tuition fees, study materials, travel costs and course equipment. To be eligible, prospective students must be either enrolled in or have received an offer for a relevant program by 30th April 2026.

Is there a practical component for nursing re-entry programs?

Some nursing re-entry programs include a supervised practical component, which is a valuable experience to help you refresh your clinical skills and consolidate your learning. You could reskill in a range of nursing settings, such as hospitals, rural healthcare facilities, aged care facilities or in acute care.

Some programs include a short residential school for online students to help develop your confidence and skill set in a simulated environment. This learning experience is in addition to a dedicated, supervised clinical placement component in an approved healthcare facility. Completing a practical component can also be beneficial to ensure your clinical practice skills meet the national practice standards set out by the NMBA in order to re-acquire your nursing registration.

Keep in mind that placements may be limited in some locations, which means you may be required to travel and find accommodation at your own expense. If you need financial support to cover the cost of your placement, you may be eligible for the Australian Government’s Commonwealth Prac Payment. This is a weekly payment designed to alleviate the burden of prac-related costs and loss of income resulting from the requirement to complete placements.

How to prepare for studying a nursing re-entry program

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1. Confirm your eligibility and apply with the NMBA

The first step toward a nursing re-entry program is to confirm your eligibility with Ahpra and the NMBA.

If you have not practised for between five and 15 years, the NMBA will determine whether you need to complete either a period of supervised practice or an approved re-entry program.

Importantly, if you obtained your nursing qualification overseas and no longer meet the recency of practice requirements, you will undergo individual assessment via the NMBA to determine an appropriate return to nursing pathway.

In order for the NMBA to correctly assess your circumstances, you need to provide information that will help them determine your individual requirements for re-entry to nursing. You will need to provide education and supporting evidence, including your:

• Nursing qualification
• Work and registration history (if applicable)
• Continuing professional development history and plan
• Postgraduate study or additional qualifications
• Time away from nursing practice

Once you’ve gathered the relevant information, you can submit your re-entry to nursing application through the NMBA. If your application to return to practice requires the completion of an NMBA-approved re-entry to practice program, you’ll receive confirmation of this outcome and a letter of referral. Prior to commencing your studies, you’ll need to hold either general or provisional registration.

2. Enrol in an NMBA-approved re-entry program

Next, you’ll need to research and choose an approved re-entry nursing program. Take into consideration the delivery mode, course duration, clinical placement locations and your registration requirements before you make a decision on a re-entry course.

As part of this process, you’ll need to submit your NMBA referral letter along with your enrolment application. It’s important to remember that these referral letters have an expiry date, which means you are responsible for ensuring you complete your course, inclusive of placements in the given timeframe stipulated by the NMBA. The NMBA also requires you to provide them with a letter of offer from your education provider, confirming the start date and details of your re-entry to practice course.

3. Support yourself throughout the process

Remember, it’s normal to feel nervous or unsure about the prospect of returning to study and to the nursing profession after taking time off. You may feel like your clinical skills have been long forgotten and worry that you won’t keep up with the study requirements of the course.

Re-entry programs are designed to be flexible and supportive, whether you’ve been out of practice for five years or 15. You’ll be able to receive help from student support services and connect with peers who are also working towards their re-entry to nursing.

Practising self-care, kindness and reminding yourself that you’re capable will help you feel confident as you progress through your studies. You’ll quickly realise you have many skills and embedded knowledge that simply need brushing up on to meet nursing industry standards.

Returning to nursing study: tips for a smooth transition

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Recommencing study after time away can feel daunting. However, with the right mindset and support, it can also be rewarding. Here are some tips to help you navigate the process and to make the most of your return-to-study journey.

1. Get organised from the start
   Once you've been approved by the NMBA to complete a re-entry to practice course, you can enrol in your program and officially make your way back to your nursing career.

   To set yourself up for a successful study experience, it’s important to get organised from the start. This includes making sure you have all the essential study equipment, such as a computer or laptop, reliable internet access and any required study materials.

   Also, take time to familiarise yourself with your education provider’s learning platform, as many re-entry programs are delivered online. For tips on how to effectively study online, read more here. Being confident with the digital tools and learning management systems used in your course will help you stay on track and reduce unnecessary stress as you ease back into study.

2. Establish a realistic study routine
   Establishing a realistic study routine is an important step in managing your return to study. This becomes especially true if you're juggling work, family or other life commitments.

   Perhaps you’re a mature-age student returning to study and balancing multiple responsibilities. Setting a schedule with dedicated time for coursework, online readings and participation in virtual discussions can help you stay on top of your studies and progress through the program.

   Fortunately, these courses are typically shorter than other nursing courses and may only take between two and six months to complete. As mentioned, re-entry programs typically include a mandatory clinical placement, which requires you to be available for a set block of time over several weeks. It’s therefore essential that you understand the time commitment required to complete all components of your course.

3. Understand your financial support options
   Knowing what financial support options are available to you can significantly ease the cost of returning to study.

   You may be eligible for a higher education loan scheme, such as FEE‑HELP, which allows you to defer the cost of a full-fee-paying course. If you enrol in a postgraduate CSP course, the Australian Government subsidises a portion of your tuition fees, which lowers the overall cost of your course. Additionally, re-entry to nursing and healthcare scholarships may further help offset the costs of returning to study.

   Exploring your financial support options early can make a significant difference in how smoothly you transition back into nursing. You’ll be able to plan more effectively by reducing the upfront costs of study. This helps to ease financial pressure and removes a major barrier to re-entering the profession, especially for those returning after a long break or managing family and work responsibilities.

4. Connect with nursing student peers
   Building connections with your fellow nursing students can be a valuable aspect of returning to study and to the profession.

   Whether you’re learning online or on campus, engaging with your peers can help reduce feelings of isolation, provide opportunities to troubleshoot or study together and give you the chance to build your professional network.

   Together, you’ll be able to support each other, share your insights, challenges and experiences, which helps foster a sense of community to help you stay on track with your studies and your greater goal to return to nursing.

5. Make the most of student support
   Most education providers offer comprehensive student support services designed to help you succeed, from the enrolment process and throughout your study journey. You may be able to participate in study skills workshops, take advantage of wellbeing services or receive tech support to ensure everything runs smoothly all the way to graduation.

   Nursing career specialist Michelle Deroubaix emphasises how important it is for students to get the right support while studying. Her advice to nurses who are completing a re-entry course is to “get as much help as possible.” She says if a nurse has been away from practice for a decent length of time, it’s possible that their experience studying the first time will be vastly different to now.

   She says that what many nurses struggle with is writing assignments, so it’s essential to use all the resources that are available, both from the university student support and wherever else may be helpful. “If someone hasn’t been in nursing for a long time, [returning to study] is a lot for them to navigate.” She also says that connecting with a nursing coach or mentor can further help you with a smooth transition back to study and as you re-enter the profession.

   Whatever your needs may be, seeking help from student support can boost your confidence and prevent small issues from becoming bigger problems. There are dedicated staff ready to help you achieve your study goals.

6. Embrace your return to nursing journey
   Remember, you’ve already built a solid foundation and much of what you learned before will come back faster than you think. Your past clinical exposure and understanding of patient care and even experience in non-clinical nursing roles are beneficial to your success in a re-entry program.

   These programs help to refresh your knowledge and bring you up to date with current practices. They’re not the same as doing a full nursing degree from the beginning. It’s also shorter compared to many other nursing postgraduate degrees.

   Nursing coach and educator Madeline Kessler shares her thoughts on how to make the most of your return to nursing. Once you’ve gained your re-entry qualification, she says that reaching out to someone you know in the field can be helpful, especially if you’re feeling anxious and doubtful about your abilities. Reconnecting with your professional network and asking yourself, ‘who do I still know that’s working in the industry?’ can help get your foot back in the door.

   She also suggests that starting back in areas such as community nursing, aged care and seeking roles through an agency may be easier re-entry spaces to work in as you rebuild your confidence, compared to high-acuity work like emergency care. “You’ve got the space to get back on your feet and get your flow going again.”

Frequently asked questions about nursing re-entry programs

1. If I hold dual registration as a nurse and midwife, do I need to complete a re-entry program for both?

If you’ve previously held dual registration as a nurse and a midwife but have not met the recency of practice requirements in one or both professions, you will need to complete a re-entry to practice program relevant to the profession/s to which you are returning. If you’ve been out of midwifery practice for five to 10 years, completing a re-entry to midwifery program provides a pathway to full registration as a midwife.

2. Do I need to complete a re-entry program if I'm returning to a non-clinical nursing role?

Maybe, depending on your specific circumstance. If you are returning to a non-clinical role, it’s possible you may need to complete a re-entry program, however, in some cases, this may not apply. Instead, you may be required to complete a continuing professional development plan and/or complete a period of supervised practice within your scope of practice, demonstrating your competence.

3. If I’ve been out of nursing for 15 years or more, can I still return to practice?

Yes, you can return to practice after an extended absence, even beyond 15 years. In this case, you won’t be eligible for a re-entry program and instead, you’ll likely need to complete a bachelor’s degree in nursing to meet the NMBA’s requirements for practice standards. You may also be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) as credit towards your qualification.

4. What does the term 'practice’ mean?

In the context of nursing, the term ‘practice’ refers to any role in which an individual uses their nursing skills and knowledge, whether paid or not. It is not restricted to providing direct clinical care and may include using professional knowledge and expertise in a non-clinical role. These can include roles in education, administration, management, policy development, research or other roles that impact the safe and effective service delivery in nursing.

5. Who is not eligible for a nursing re-entry to practice program?

You are not eligible for a re-entry to practice program if you have never held registration as a nurse in Australia, if you’re a recent nursing graduate and are applying for your initial registration or if you currently hold student registration. Re-entry programs are specifically designed for previously registered nurses who want to return to the profession after a period of absence.

Make your nursing career comeback today

Getting back into nursing is achievable with some preparation, support and by completing a nursing re-entry program. You’ll be able to obtain full registration, rebuild your skills and return to work with confidence sooner than you think. If you’re ready to return to nursing, choose one of the nursing re-entry courses, select a course and book a call with our Education Consultant today to learn more and get started.

At GlobalHealth Education, we partner with respected universities to offer courses in a range of healthcare fields. We also showcase courses from various respected Australian universities. These include nursing, health leadership and management, counselling, psychology, public health, social work and mental health. Transform your career in healthcare and enquire today.