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Nursing resources

Find your nursing course structures, textbook and uniform links, library guides and placement information (including mandatory documents and inherent requirements) in one convenient spot.

Semester dates

First years follow the standard Federation academic calendar, but second and third years start four weeks earlier. This makes it easier to break each semester into dedicated teaching, assessment and placement blocks. Placements are scheduled after the six-week coursework block and assessments are finished.
 
2026 semester dates for first years:
 
Semester 1 starts 2 March
Semester 2 starts 20 July
 
2026 semester dates for second and third years:
 
Semester 1 starts 27 January
Semester 2 starts 22 June
 
If you're jumping straight into second year as an enrolled nurse, you'll have a special Orientation day the week before classes start.

Find your course structure

Your timetable

After you're enrolled, you'll use mySchedule to submit your timetable preferences and make adjustments. The platform will open early for all Nursing students – make sure you note the key dates so you don't miss out.

Before classes start

It's compulsory to wear the official Federation uniform when you're at labs on campus and on placement. You'll need your uniform from week one. Drop by if you're on campus or order online.
 
Keep your receipt, all uniform items are tax deductable.
An icon of a person in a square.
Name tag (first name only)
Order a name tag
An icon of a person and a magnifying glass with a heart beat graph on it.
Nurses kit
Order your nurses kit
An icon of a hospital or first aid sign.
Federation scrubs
Order a midnight scrub top and pants
An icon of a person with a tick on them.
Enclosed black leather non-slip shoes
Buy these from your preferred shoe store.
You'll also need to do some important admin before you get started
Order your textbooks
Ordering items through School Locker is quick and easy. Select ‘Subjects’, choose your semester, search by unit code, add items to your cart and complete the checkout process.
Visit School Locker
Submit your placement documents
Before you go on placement, you’ll need to upload a set of mandatory documents to InPlace. Some of these can take 6–12 weeks to organise, so best start early.
Download the list (PDF 271 KB)
Read about the requirements
There are some attributes, skills and abilities that you must have in order to complete your degree, such as cognition, communication, strength and mobility.
View details (PDF 367 KB)

Attendance

There’s a 100% attendance requirement for on-campus labs (uniforms must be worn) and an 80% attendance requirement for online classes and tutorials. If you’ve chosen blended delivery, most of your training will be online but you’ll have to attend some on-campus study blocks.

Placement

Placement means working in a clinical setting. It gives you the chance to apply your knowledge in real situations – great preparation for being in the workforce. You must complete at least 800 hours throughout your degree (and some travel might be necessary).

You’ll use the InPlace platform to upload essential documents, submit your placement preferences and find out where you’ve been placed. Log in with your student ID and password.

Find out more about organising your placement via InPlace.

Your teaching and placement calendar is based on your year level, study mode (on campus or blended) and campus. Find your cohort on the left of each calendar then scroll across to find your placement blocks.

Download the 2025 calendar for Year 1 (PDF 119KB), Year 2 (PDF 116KB) or Year 3 (PDF 107KB). If you're planning ahead, download the 2026 calendar for Year 1 (PDF 118KB), Year 2 (PDF 107KB) or Year 3 (PDF 111KB) instead.

We're not involved in clinical placement rosters, instead, you'll receive your roster directly from the health agency you're placed with. Some health agencies won’t give you a roster before placement starts, but you’ll get one on your first day. If rosters are available early, you’ll receive a copy via your student email. You’re expected to attend all rostered shifts, including mornings, afternoons, nights, weekends, and public holidays. A clinical week runs from Monday to Sunday for all year levels.

The Clinical Guidelines (created by the placement and academic team at Federation University) will help you understand academic and inherent requirements for undertaking placement, the placement allocation process, your responsibilities before and during placement, how you'll be assessed, and how to raise any problems.

The Standardised Student Protocol (set by the Department of Health and Human Services) will help you understand your role and the responsibilities of both the placement provider and Federation University.

To make life easier for students with mandatory placements, the Australian Government has introduced the Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP). If you're a domestic student, you might be eligible to receive $331.65 per week while you’re on placement.

Explore Shift Happens

'Shift Happens: Navigating Your Nursing Studies' is your new go‑to space on Moodle. It provides guidance for common assessment types (such as case studies, presentations and pamphlets), insights from fellow students, plus examples and templates to help you get started.

You’ll also find a bridging module designed to help first‑years feel confident and prepared for Anatomy and Physiology units.

Explore now

Library subject guides

Our librarians have made researching easier by grouping all of your discipline resources together (including ebooks, textbooks, websites and free image libraries). You'll also find handy search and referencing tips.
 
Nursing subject guide
There's a wide range of people. But it's awesome. It’s like a family now. It's a really good environment. You want to work with so many different people. They've got so much experience."
— Campbell Palmer, Diploma of Nursing