Bachelor of Nursing

Course description

The Bachelor of Nursing program provides students with extensive clinical practice and assists them in engaging with contemporary nursing theory, research and evidence for practice. The curriculum is based on identified needs and competencies defined by industry, the University and the nursing profession and students progressively build on knowledge and skills integral to developing the range of Graduate Qualities and professional skills required for competent unsupervised contemporary nursing practice.

The program is designed to prepare nurses to meet healthcare delivery requirements for the 21st century and respond to Australian and international healthcare priorities and trends. Four integrating themes (safety and quality; population health; cultural competency; evidence based practice) are intertwined throughout the curriculum and represent core approaches that inform contemporary nursing practice.

Courses (subjects) provide students with an understanding of the bio-psychosocial determinants of health and illness and integrate the concept of client centred care. Students will develop an understanding of client centred care as applied to the Registered Nurse role while undertaking courses in the areas of child, adult and health of older adults. In addition to the inclusion of a range of theory content, students undertake experiential learning activities within the University and health care delivery settings. These experiential learning activities are designed to assist students to progressively develop the requisite nursing skills for professional practice and include a range of work integrated placements in metropolitan, rural and potentially international settings.

All courses are supported by a range of experiential learning activities engaging students in problem solving and project activities, including professional placements. The professional placements in this program are designed to enhance students' work integrated learning practices and prepare them for both the immediate and long term demands of Registered Nurse practice.

Career Outcomes

Nurses make vital contributions to society through a variety of ways including health promotion, education, administration and research.

Nurses work in a variety of healthcare settings, including community support centres, hospitals, aged and rehabilitative care facilities, industrial sites, schools and the homes of individuals. Nurses may also find employment in drug and alcohol treatment centres, prisons and community health and welfare organisations such as Asthma SA and the Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS).

Currently there is employment demand for Registered Nurses in Australia. This is happening against a backdrop of Australia`s changing demography and health profile: the ageing population and increased burden of chronic illness creates an even greater need for nurses. These changes in the environment explain the number and variety of opportunities available to graduates. A future in nursing opens the door to many career paths and the possibility to work all over the world.

The Bachelor of Nursing also contains pathways for Registered and Enrolled Nurses who have completed pre-registration/enrolment nursing qualifications at the certificate and diploma levels and wish to upgrade to a Bachelors degree. Similarly, a pathway for Bachelor of Midwifery graduates is also included.

Professional Recognition

Graduates satisfy the academic requirements for registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). The requirements for registration are determined by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.

Eligibility

To be eligible for selection, applicants are required to have: Completed the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE); and

• completed 200 credits of subjects;
• achieved a grade of C* or better in the Personal Learning Plan, 20 credits of literacy, 10 credits of numeracy and the Research Project at Stage 2;
• achieved a grade C- or better in an additional 60 credits at Stage 2;
• obtained a competitive ATAR.

* For Stage 2 subjects a grade of C- or better is required.

Alternatively, applicants may qualify for entry if they have ONE of the following:

• completed the equivalent secondary education qualifications as required for university entry under SACE and fulfilled any prerequisite requirements
• completed the International Baccalaureate Diploma, obtaining a minimum score of 24 points and fulfilled any prerequisite requirements
• completed or partly completed a recognised higher education program at a recognised higher education institution and fulfilled any prerequisite requirements
• completed at least four Open Universities Australia (OUA) undergraduate university level units at the appropriate level and fulfilled any prerequisite requirements
• completed an award from TAFE or from another registered training organisation at AQF Diploma or above and fulfilled any prerequisite requirements
• qualified for Special Entry and fulfilled any prerequisite requirements
• completed the Health Science stream University Foundation Studies program
• enrolled nurse with a current practising certificate.

English language entry requirements

In addition, international students who speak English as a foreign language must have obtained one of the following standards within the last two years prior to admission. Possession of one or more of these qualifications, in addition to the academic entry requirements, does not, in itself, guarantee a place at the University of South Australia. Applications are considered on an individual basis and selection is competitive. Where previous study/work experience was conducted in English, the application must be accompanied by certified documentation from the educational institution/employer certifying that the language of instruction/employment was English.

English language test

• IELTS total: - 6.5
• IELTS reading: - 6.0
• IELTS writing: - 6.0
• IELTS speaking: - 6.0
• IELTS listening: - 6.0

How to apply

This course is restricted and has a special application process with one intake class commencing at the beginning of each year.

2012 applications for the Bachelor of Nursing have now closed. Information about the 2013 Application Process will be available on the OUA website in November 2012.

Special Requirements

Student Registration

Student registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia is required in order to study this course. Students who do not meet registration criteria and are refused registration by the Board, or who have their registration rescinded during the course, will be unable to continue in the course. Applicants please note that the registration process will commence following initial enrolment and information will be provided by the University in your offer letter.

Australian National Police Certificate

All students in the Division of Health Sciences who undertake field or clinical placements, or participate in University clinics as part of their program, must have a current Australian National Police Certificate prior to the commencement of any placement or clinic activity.

Senior First Aid Certificate and Annual CPR Update

A Senior First Aid Certificate and an Annual CPR Update are prerequisites for some courses. Students will be expected to have successfully completed a recognised Senior First Aid program before they will be permitted to commence these courses.

Please Note:

• Some courses require the completion of pre- and co-requisites. Students must check the calendar entry/course information for relevant courses.
• Students are required to satisfy the standard of dress, behaviour and fitness for practice as prescribed by institutions in which experiential learning activities/clinical practicum placements are undertaken. This also applies to students undertaking Practice Based Laboratory (PBL) activities.
• Students enrolled externally are required to attend intensive on-campus workshops for some courses. Where possible, compulsory on-campus workshops/seminars for courses scheduled in the same study period will be timetabled to minimise the duration that a student is required to be on campus. Further information is available on the School of Nursing and Midwifery website (http://www.unisa.edu.au/nur/).

Practicum Placements

As well as contemporary theory content, students undertake a range of practical learning experiences. They are involved in simulation-based learning in nursing laboratories on campus as well as placements in metropolitan, rural and potentially international healthcare delivery settings. These activities equip students with the necessary nursing skills for professional practice.

Clinical placements are undertaken as five full-time blocks and require shift work. Experiential Learning Activity – Foundation Practicum 1 is a two-week placement in first year. Experiential Learning Activity – Older Adults Practicum 2 and Experiential Learning Activity Acute Care Practicum 3 are four weeks of placements each and occur in second year. Experiential Learning Activity Extension to Practice Practicum 4 and Experiential Learning Activity Transition to Practice Practicum 5 are eight week placements and occur in third year. Clinical placements must be completed on a full-time basis. In addition to the placement component, all ELA courses require students to participate in a pre clinical and post clinical workshop, some of which will be conducted on campus and others online. The duration of the workshops vary from course to course. For more information please see (http://www.unisa.edu.au/nur/).

Due to limited placement availability and/or a request from a placement venue that a student be assessed directly by a University staff member, interstate and non-metropolitan students may be required to attend a placement in metropolitan Adelaide.

Some clinical placements require a current driver’s licence and special vaccinations. As nursing places physical and psychological demands on the individual, applicants may need to meet the health requirements of the agencies in which they undertake clinical placements.

It is recommended that students meet the vaccination requirements for health professionals prior to commencing the course. Failure to meet vaccination requirements may limit placement opportunities. Students are required to satisfy the standard of dress, behaviour and fitness for practice as prescribed by institutions in which Experiential Learning Activities/field placements are undertaken

Award Requirements

To qualify for the Bachelor of Nursing students must:

• Complete 108 UniSA "units of study; (19 units in the Course Structure below).
• Complete the correct pre/co-requisites for each unit.

The degree can be taken as a full-time (three years) or part-time equivalent.
Students obtaining a credit level average or higher may be accepted into an Honours program and, depending on results, may be eligible to proceed to postgraduate research degree study.

Recognition of prior Learning / Credit

Certificate Enrolled Nurses (or equivalent) will be granted credit for 18 units of study. Diplomate Enrolled Nurses (or equivalent) will be granted credit for 36 units of study. For more information about credit, please see the School of Nursing and Midwifery website: http://www.unisa.edu.au/campuscentral/faq/Admissions/FAQ/admission_faq01.asp

Course structure

To qualify for the Bachelor of Nursing from University of South Australia, students must complete 108 UniSA "units of study" (19 OUA units).