How to become a Nurse Researcher
Designs, conducts and evaluates nursing and interdisciplinary research projects, and promotes the implementation of research findings into clinical nursing practice.
Main tasks
- Designs and conducts research projects in nursing and related disciplines
- Evaluates the effectiveness and impact of nursing research projects
- Develops research protocols and methodologies for nursing research studies
- Collects and analyses data from research studies
- Disseminates nursing research findings through publications and presentations
- Promotes the integration of research findings into clinical nursing practice
- Provides guidance and support to nurses in implementing evidence-based practice
Ways in
- University: Nursing & Midwifery degrees, Offered by 34 universities in Australia
- Licence or registration: Registration or licensing is required.
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Typical full-time pay: $142,064 a year
- About 8,800 people work in this job group now, and about 10,900 are projected by 2035. (+23.2%)
- AI is likely to change parts of this job. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as medium.
Related jobs
- Nurse Educator
- Midwife
- Nursing / Midwifery Unit Manager
- Nurse Practitioner
- Registered Nurse (Acute Care)
- Registered Nurse (Aged Care)
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Questions people ask
How do I become a Nurse Researcher?
Ways in include: Nursing & Midwifery degrees.
How much does a Nurse Researcher earn in Australia?
Median full-time pay is $142,064 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Is a Nurse Researcher a growing career in Australia?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 23% by 2035, from about 8,800 to about 10,900 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Do you need a degree to become a Nurse Researcher?
Usually. 91% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Will AI change the work of a Nurse Researcher?
AI is likely to change parts of this job. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as medium.
Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04
Updated 2026-10-04