Bachelor of Nursing
at The University of Newcastle, New South Wales.
A three-year nursing degree at Callaghan, Gosford and, from 2026, Tamworth (ranks shown are for Newcastle). It is accredited by ANMAC for students commencing in 2026. Assumed knowledge: any 2 units of English, Mathematics Standard 2, and Biology and/or Chemistry.
Lowest selection rank
The lowest selection rank (LSR) is the lowest ATAR plus adjustment factors (equity, subject and regional bonuses) that received an offer to the UoN Bachelor of Nursing for that intake. Universities publish it in their admissions student profiles. Only intakes with a published figure are listed.
| Intake | Lowest selection rank | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 70.05 | uac.edu.au |
| 2024 | 54.35 | uac.edu.au |
| 2023 | 63.05 | uac.edu.au |
A lowest selection rank describes a past intake, not a guaranteed entry score. Check the current entry requirements on the official course page before you apply through UAC.
Prerequisite Year 12 subjects
No formal Year 12 subject prerequisites; assumed knowledge may still apply.
What you will study
The degree combines health and medical sciences with nursing theory and practice, supported by hands-on training in clinical laboratories and professional experience placements. Placements take place in NSW Health facilities, where students must meet NSW Health policy requirements.
Placement and industry experience
Professional experience placements are completed in a range of NSW Health facilities, and students must comply with NSW Health policies and procedures, including immunisation and check requirements.
Career outcomes
- Graduates work as registered nurses in hospital, community and aged-care settings after registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.
- Common destinations include public hospital graduate transition programmes, mental-health services and rural and remote nursing positions.
- Many alumni progress into specialty practice (intensive care, paediatrics, midwifery), nurse-practitioner study or clinical education roles.
Professional accreditation
- Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC), 2026 commencing students
Typical first jobs
- Registered Nurse in the NSW Health Transition to Professional Practice graduate program
- RN at Catholic and private hospital networks (St Vincent's, Mater, Ramsay Health Care)
- Aged care RN at residential aged care facilities
- Community health nurse
- Mental health RN in inpatient and community settings
- Rural and remote graduate RN with NSW Health regional pathways
Graduate starting salary
$72,000 - $80,000 per year
Source: health.nsw.gov.au. Last reviewed 2026-05-21.
After graduation
For students commencing in 2026 the program is accredited by ANMAC and approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, so graduates are eligible to apply for registration as nurses. Most begin in NSW Health graduate programs.
Is this the right degree for you?
You probably thrive here if
- Students with strong people skills and clinical resilience
- Those willing to work shifts during placements (mornings, evenings, weekends)
- People who can balance theory with the physical and emotional demands of clinical practice
- Students comfortable with pharmacology and physiology study
- Those committed to a regulated profession with strict practice standards
It is probably not for you if
- Students unwilling to do shift work or rural placement blocks
- Those uncomfortable with bodily fluids, distress and high-stakes clinical scenarios
- Anyone hoping to avoid pharmacology and pathophysiology
Related courses at UoN
Sources
Course details are summarised by ExamExplained, not copied from the university. Confirm course content and selection ranks on the University of Newcastle website and on UAC before applying.