Bachelor of Nursing

Summary

This degree is the recognised pathway for people who wish to become registered nurses.

It is a degree that specifically and comprehensively prepares students for professional nursing practice in a variety of health-care settings.

Career opportunities

Employment opportunities for graduate nurses are excellent. Graduates may be employed as registered nurses in the public or private sector health-care system, including hospitals, clinics, industry, aged care facilities, community health-care agencies and mental health facilites. Graduates may also follow a career as a commissioned officer in the armed forces.

The range of work areas include general nursing, medical/surgical, psychiatric/mental health, developmental disability, community health, rehabilitation, occupational health and safety, paediatrics, accident and emergency, women's health, operating theatres, aged care, palliative care and many others.

A nursing degree is a is very transportable qualification. NSW registered nurses may apply for registration in many overseas countries.

Entry requirements

Recommended Studies: Biology or Chemistry and Advanced Level English.

A significant component of the program is conducted online via the internet and therefore you need to have computer skills, including word processing, email and web searching. If you do not have these skills you are advised to undertake a course.

If you have not studied HSC Biology or Chemistry you are advised to undertake bridging courses conducted by the English Language and Foundations Studies Centre during January and February.

How to apply

Current Australian Year 12 students

Apply for entry through UAC for admission.
Entry based on UAI or equivalent.

Non school leavers and previous Australian Year 12 students

Apply for entry through UAC for admission.
Entry based on:

• previous Year 12 studies or
• Higher education, tertiary or post-secondary qualifications or
• Overseas qualifications considered equivalent to Australian qualifications.

International Students

This program is only available to international students on the Callaghan and Ourimbah campuses.

International students currently undertaking
- an Australian Year 12 in Australia
- an Australian Year 12 outside Australia
- an International Baccalaureate (IB) in Australia

Apply for entry through UAC for admission.
Entry based on UAI.

All other international students:

Apply direct to International Admissions for admission.
Entry based on overseas qualifications considered equivalent to Australian qualifications, as well as satisfying English language requirements.

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Description

IMPORTANT! You must read the Undergraduate Degree Rules. Click here to view.

The Bachelor of Nursing Program offered by the University of Newcastle is suitable for those who wish to become registered nurses. Nursing studies are supported by biological and behavioural science across the course of the program. Graduates of this program are eligible to apply for registration with the NSW Nurses and Midwives Board.

Hands on experience (clinical experience) is undertaken initially in the laboratories on campus and then in settings off campus. Nursing students go to community centres, aged care areas, mental health settings and major teaching hospitals throughout the Hunter, Central Coast and Mid North Coast. Clinical Placement areas are related to the campus of enrolment. Over the program students will attend around 800 hours in clinical settings.

Students gain clinical experience in a variety of clinical settings which relate to the theoretical base of their practice. Part time students should note that clinical placements will be required to be undertaken on a full time basis.

All students may be allocated to placements within the areas identified below:

• Students enrolled at Ourimbah (Central Coast) will be allocated to placements primarily located from Wahroonga to Newcastle and Taree;
• Students enrolled at Callaghan will be allocated to placements primarily located from Hawkesbury River to Nelson Bay, Singleton and Taree;
• Students enrolled at Port Macquarie will be allocated to placements primarily located from Taree to Kempsey and Wauchope.

All students may be allocated to a placement in the New England area.

The teaching/learning strategies employed in the program are those considered to be most likely to facilitate students' acquisition of practice-related skills in addition to a comprehensive theoretical body of knowledge. There is emphasis in the program on:

• Development of self-directed learning skills;
• Learning through group discussion and by observation of role models including clinical educators and nurses in the practice setting;
• Development of communication skills through a wide range of activities.

In addition to these, other teaching strategies include: lectures, tutorials, experiential workshops, seminars, computer simulation, demonstrations, situation-based learning activities, laboratory work, role play/simulations, individual and group projects and case studies.

Commencing in 2005 the Commonwealth Government has made available specified Aged Care places at Port Macquarie (Mid North Coast) and Ourimbah (Central Coast). Students who enrol at these campuses will complete the standard program. They will also be required to undertake one clinical placement each year in a placement with an aged care perspective.

Commencing in 2007 the Commonwealth Government has made available specified mental health places at Callaghan, Port Macquarie (Mid North Coast) and Ourimbah (Central Coast). Students who accept these places will complete the mental health strand program. They will also be required to undertake one clinical placement each year in a placement with a mental health perspective.

The NSW Department of Health has special requirements applying to students in this degree. All students who undertake clinical experience are required to comply with the NSW Deapartment of Health Immunisation Guidelines. Advice about immunisation is provided to successful applicants prior to the commencement of the program.

Students should note that a Criminal Record Check and a Prohibited Employment Declaration are required prior to clinical placement.

Credit Transfer Agreements

Students holding the following qualifications may be eligible for specified credit on application:

• A TAFE Diploma in Nursing
• A TAFE Diploma in a nursing related field
• Enrolled Nurses holding a TAFE Certificate IV in Nursing (Enrolled Nurse)
• Enrolled Nurses holding the TAFE Advanced Certificate in Enrolled Nursing or TAFE Certificate in Nursing (Enrolled Nurse) who have completed the TAFE/Newcastle University Enrolled Nurse Bridging Program
•  TAFE Certificate IV in Aged Care Work
• List B Registered Nurse with the NSW Nurses Registration Board
• Registration as a professional nurse with an Approved Overseas Nursing Registration Authority.

Program Structure

The Bachelor of Nursing degree offered by The University of Newcastle requires completion of 240 units of approved courses.

The revised curriculum for the Bachelor of Nursing has been implemented progressively from semester 1, 2005. If you commenced study prior to semester 1, 2005, please consult with the Bachelor of Nursing convenor for advice regarding enrolment and transition arrangements.

Bachelor of Nursing Transitional Arrangements for Pre-2005 Students

An individual assessment will be made to determine the most appropriate course/s in the revised structure for students who fall into the following categories:

• students who study on a part time basis
• students who have been on leave
• students who have failed a course
• students who are not able to complete courses within the following proposed schedule for other reasons

This will allow students to complete the Bachelor of Nursing program and be eligible to apply for registration with the Nurses and Midwivies Board. Students must contact the Program Convenor for further information and/or assistance.

Program Location

The program may be undertaken at three locations commencing in each academic year:

• The Callaghan Campus in Newcastle;
• The Port Macquarie Campus (Mid North Coast);
• The Ourimbah Campus (Central Coast).

Please Note: The number of available places at each location is restricted, so students are expected to complete the program at the campus where they first enrol. Internal transfer between locations is only available in exceptional circumstances and where there is a vacancy at the proposed location.  Students who wish to change their campus of study must apply in writing using the Undergraduate Internal Transfer Application form and indicate the reason why the change is requested.

Approved Courses

Not all courses will be offered each semester. To establish offer status, click on the course code for the course and follow the links to timetabling information.

Prescribed Courses

Students are required to complete the following prescribed courses (240 units) including:

• 200 units of prescribed nursing courses
• 20 units of prescribed human bioscience courses
• 20 units of elective courses

Elective Courses

Students are required to choose one 10 unit course from any course offered by the University plus one directed elective from the list. Students may opt to choose 20 units from the list of directed electives.

International Registered Nurse Students

International Registered Nurses who have been educated through an approved institution and apply for admission into the Bachelor of Nursing (10706) may be offered the following academic credit. Note that each application is assessed on an individual basis. Applicants are also required to meet the University of Newcastle English Language Proficiency requirements (For information on the English Language Requirements for the Nurses and Midwives Board please visit http://www.nmb.nsw.gov.au/).

All International Registered Nurses must complete NURS2230 Clinical for International Nurses

This course provides international students who commence the Bachelor of Nursing program in the second or third year with an orientation to the Australian health care context. It also enables these students to develop language skills specific to the health workplace, provides for the application of specific, required clinical skills in Occupational Health and Safety and Infection Control and enhances academic skills for their ongoing study in the program.

1. 100 units of block academic credit. Students will be required to complete 140 units of study at the 2000 and 3000 level full time over 2 years, including NURS2230. This will total 240 units to satisfy the requirements for the Bachelor of Nursing. The program of study is:.

2. Students may apply for up to an additional 60 units of academic credit for specified courses. Students who are offered maximum academic credit of 160 units will be required to complete NURS2230 and 70 units of study at 3000 level over 1 year full time.

Schedule

The relevant program schedule is available within the Degree Rules and Schedules section of the Policy Library.