C10122v10 Bachelor of Nursing

Note(s)

Overview

The Bachelor of Nursing is designed to prepare students for the role of the registered nurse. The course incorporates a range of nursing subjects as well as behavioural science, physical science, ethics and professional subjects relevant to contemporary nursing practice. Graduates of the course are capable of delivering a high standard of confident, safe and therapeutic nursing care in a variety of health care settings. They demonstrate nursing care that is patient-centred, informed and responsible.

Clinical learning is a key element of the course with clinical placements in acute care settings occurring in every semester. Learning technologies such as simulation, which is undertaken within the faculty's advanced nursing laboratories, assist students in preparing for clinical practice. Across the course students develop an e-portfolio to showcase their abilities and facilitate career planning. In the third year of the course students are able to pursue an area of nursing interest by choosing a clinical specialty elective.

Course aims

The course aims to prepare graduates who are independent lifelong learners to be attuned to the needs of patients from diverse backgrounds; are patient-centred and value collaboration with patients and colleagues; seek evidence in the exercise of clinical judgment and safe practice; and act in a professional, compassionate and ethical manner. In addition, graduates are prepared to foster the development of nursing as a practice discipline and demonstrate leadership in health care.

Career options

Career options for registered nurses include working in diverse specialty areas such as community health, critical care, intensive care, aged care, mental health, operating theatres and paediatrics. Career progression opportunities include working as a clinical nurse consultant, clinical nurse specialist, nurse educator, nurse manager, nurse practitioner or rural and remote practice nurse.

Academic requirements

Applicants must have completed an Australian Year 12 qualification, Australian Qualifications Framework Diploma, or equivalent Australian or overseas qualification at the required level.

Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a place.

The requirements specified above apply to the standard, three-year mode of the course. The accelerated program has the following requirements.

• Bachelor of Nursing Accelerated: Graduate Entry: applicants who have successfully completed an Australian (or overseas equivalent) bachelor's degree in health, human bioscience, or social science within eight years prior to entry are eligible to apply. Successful applicants are given advanced standing for their previous studies and are able to complete the course in two calendar years full time, inclusive of pre-semester and summer subjects. Successful completion of the four-week, pre-semester subject in January/February 2011 is required before proceeding to the Bachelor of Nursing: Accelerated Graduate Entry course.
• Bachelor of Nursing Accelerated: Enrolled Nurse Certificate entry (graduates between 2004 to 2008): applicants must have completed the TAFE Certificate IV in Nursing (Enrolled Nurse) and have commenced their studies between 2003 and 2007. Hospital-trained enrolled nurses are not eligible for the accelerated course. Successful applicants are given advanced standing for their previous studies and are able to complete the course in two calendar years full time inclusive of pre-semester and summer subjects.
• Bachelor of Nursing Accelerated: Enrolled Nurse Certificate or Diploma entry (graduates from 2009): applicants must have completed the TAFE Certificate IV in Nursing (Enrolled/Division 2 Nursing) or the TAFE Diploma/Advanced Diploma of Nursing (Enrolled/Division 2 Nursing) and commenced their TAFE studies in or after 2008. Hospital-trained enrolled nurses are not eligible for the accelerated course. Successful applicants are given advanced standing for their previous studies and are able to complete the course in two calendar years full time with no additional pre-semester or summer schools.

As part of its duty of care to patients and clients receiving health care in NSW, anyone who works in a NSW public health facility must first undergo a criminal record check. You must provide UTS with either evidence that a criminal record check has been conducted on you in your country, or a statutory declaration that you have no criminal record in your country of residence or in any country you have resided in. Participation in screening and vaccination against infectious diseases are prerequisites for students undertaking clinical placements in health facilities. Further information is available from:

Local students

The UTS Year 12 Bonus Scheme awards bonus points to Australian high school applicants based on performance in HSC subjects that are relevant to the course applied for. Further details are available at:

International students

Applicants to the standard three-year course who have successfully completed a recognised pathway program in Australia can also apply.

Visa requirement: To obtain a student visa to study in Australia, international students must enrol full time and on campus. Australian student visa regulations also require international students studying on student visas to complete the course within the standard full-time duration. Students can extend their courses only in exceptional circumstances.

Applications

Entry to the B Nursing City campus (606002) is very competitive; applicants are encouraged to also include a preference for the B Nursing Kuring-gai campus (606000).

The TAFE Certificate IV in Nursing (Enrolled Nurse) and work experience do not satisfy the University's English proficiency requirements.

Assumed knowledge

Any two units of English.

Any two units of science and any two units of mathematics are recommended.

Course duration and attendance

The Bachelor of Nursing is offered at Kuring-gai campus on a full-time basis over three years and a part-time basis over six years, and at City campus on a full-time basis over three years.

The Accelerated Program: Graduate Entry is offered at Kuring-gai campus on a full-time basis over two years and a part-time basis over four years including a pre-semester school in February at commencement and Summer session.

The Accelerated Program: Enrolled Nurse is offered at Kuring-gai campus on a full-time basis over two years and a part-time basis over four years including Summer session.

Course structure

The course comprises 144 credit points, made up of nursing theory, science and clinical practice in a range of health facilities. Full-time students study four subjects per semester, and part-time students study two subjects per semester.

Course completion requirements

Honours

Other information

Further information is available from the UTS Student Centre on: