Study Nursing

Southern Cross University Nursing graduates typically move into roles such as Registered Nurse in hospitals, primary care, aged care, mental health, community health and regional health services. Many graduates progress into specialist practice areas or pursue postgraduate study leading to advanced roles such as Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse or Nurse Educator. Nursing remains Australia’s largest health profession, supporting diverse and long‑term career pathways.

Southern Cross University Nursing degrees centre on immersive clinical placements where students apply theory in real healthcare settings. Nursing graduate Jessica McEvoy now Nurse Unit Manager at Robina Private Hospital, reflected on how placement experiences helped her develop confidence, professional judgement and communication skills. She credits this hands‑on learning as foundational to her transition into acute mental health practice and clinical leadership

The 2024 Graduate Outcomes Survey shows more than 90% of Southern Cross University graduates secure employment within four months of graduating, earning above the national median salary. Nursing graduates benefit from sustained demand for healthcare services, with Australian Bureau of Statistics data showing more than 2.2 million Australians work in Health Care and Social Assistance, and healthcare usage continues to grow. Combined with Southern Cross University's strong clinical training focus, this supports graduates to transition quickly into nursing roles.

Southern Cross University is ranked in the global top 300 universities for Nursing in the 2025 Shanghai Global Ranking of Academic Subjects, reflecting the strength of its nursing education and research outcomes. This ranking is underpinned by globally recognised nursing research through initiatives such as the Resilient Ageing in Supportive Environments (RAISE) research theme, which leads nationally funded work in ageing, carer support and emergency nursing care, and mental health and health workforce research that informs clinical practice, policy and nurse education in Australia and internationally.

Southern Cross University Nursing alumni demonstrate strong career progression across hospital, community and aged‑care settings. Nursing graduate Jessica McEvoy progressed from graduate practice into acute mental health nursing and now leads teams as a Nurse Unit Manager, supporting both patient care and workforce development. Similarly, Bachelor of Nursing graduate Owen Lednor has built his career in aged care and is now the General Manager of a facility, describing Southern Cross University's contemporary, practice‑based learning as critical to his leadership approach. Together, these alumni pathways reflect how our strong clinical placements and supportive learning environment prepare graduates to grow into specialist and leadership roles with lasting impact in healthcare.