Finishing university and TAFE (VET-sector) courses
can be as daunting as it is exhilarating. That’s why Queensland Nursing
Council (QNC) has expanded its support to those entering the nursing or
midwifery profession for the first time, by creating a space just for
students and new graduates.
The Queensland Nursing Council is an independent statutory body that regulates nursing and
midwifery in Queensland. In accordance with the Nursing Act 1992, public protection is its first
priority. To do this, Council sets the standards for nursing and midwifery education, practice,
licensing and conduct in Queensland. There are 13 members of Council, who are appointed
under section 11 of the Nursing Act 1992. Council establishes the objectives and policies for
the regulation of nursing and midwifery in Queensland, in accordance with the Act. Council is
directly accountable to Parliament through the Minister for Health.
For more information about our vision, mission and values, visit ‘about QNC’ on our website.
As regulator of the nursing and midwifery professions, one of QNC’s
functions is to accredit nursing and midwifery courses offered in
Queensland that lead to registration, enrolment or endorsement. You
will only be granted registration or enrolment as a nurse or midwife in
Queensland if you have completed an accredited nursing or midwifery course.
As a student, it is your responsibility to ensure your course is accredited by QNC. For more information, visit our ‘nurse education’ page or contact a nurse adviser on 07 3223 5100.
To
practise in Queensland, all nurses and midwives must be qualified as a
registered or enrolled nurse or midwife and hold a current licence. To
learn more about QNC’s licensing process, click here.
To
become an enrolled nurse, a student must complete an accredited
enrolled nurse course and gain a diploma. You cannot apply to be an
enrolled nurse if you have only completed part of your undergraduate
nursing course.
To gain the required
qualification which will lead to enrollment as a nurse, you must
approach an accredited course provider, such as a TAFE, and request
recognition of prior learning for your university subjects. If you are
granted a diploma, you can apply to Council for enrolment.
The
Sally Goold book bursary is designed to assist Queensland Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander nursing students undertake their first
nursing qualification. Eligible students are encouraged to apply for
the bursaries, worth $1000, which can be spent on nursing textbooks.
QNC
offers scholarships to licensed nurses and midwives. The aim of this
program is to encourage professional development to improve knowledge,
skills and judgement.
Applications open in May each year and are
offered in four categories, including undergraduate and postgraduate
studies, certificate and continuing education studies and
conference/seminar attendance.
Did
you know that QNC provides a free telephone advice service for nurses,
midwives and the public for enquiries about nursing or midwifery
practice standards? Our nurse advisers are available to take calls from
Monday to Friday during office hours on 07 3223 5100 or by emailing us
at
For other QNC numbers and email addresses, click here.
