• Program summary
• Program overview
• Professional recognition
• Career opportunities
• Special features
• Credit transfer recognition of prior learning and articulation
• Entry requirements
• Program structure
• Program requirements and notes
• Enquiries

Program summary

QTAC code: 013411
OP/Rank for 2009 entry: GPA requirement
Award abbreviation: BNursScGE
Duration: 2 years full-time or equivalent part-time
Total units: 192 (normally 16 courses)
Fee type 2010: Commonwealth supported places, visiting non-award domestic places, international fee-paying places
Prerequisites: 

• completion of an Australian undergraduate degree (unspecified) or equivalent degree from an international university; or
• completion of a nursing degree from an international university deemed by the profession to be equivalent to pre-registration standard; or
• completion of a certificate in nursing and a current license to practice as a registered nurse. Applicants in this category must be registered nurses with a current practicing certificate. Registered nurses without a current practicing certificate, should refer to the Bachelor of Nursing Science and may be eligible for advanced standing.

Recommended prior preparation: Criminal History check, Hepatitis B immunisation, First Aid and CPR training (please refer ‘Program requirements’)
Commence: Semester 1
USC program code: SC392
CRICOS code: 058568C

Program overview

This accelerated degree program offers those with existing qualifications the opportunity to start a rewarding career in nursing.

Suitable for students who have already completed an undergraduate degree (in any discipline), or who have undertaken previous studies to apply for registration as a nurse, the Bachelor of Nursing Science (Graduate Entry) can be completed in two years of full-time study.

As a graduate of the program, you will demonstrate achievement of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council Standards for Registered Nurses and will be eligible to apply for initial registration as a nurse in Queensland.

Courses in the program have a philosophical foundation based on caring and community engagement; a strong foundation in science; and emphasise the integral nature of clinical experience to the development of competence in nursing. Studies will allow you to build upon your prior knowledge and skills, while offering quality learning and practice opportunities.

You will also have the opportunity to complete a Mental Health major (eight courses), to broaden your career opportunities in this expanding specialist area.

Professional recognition

Graduates will be eligible to apply for registration as a nurse in Queensland with the Queensland Nursing Council (reciprocal registration eligibility with other Australian states and territories). Students and graduates are also eligible to apply for membership of the Royal College of Nursing Australia, which is affiliated with the International Council of Nurses.

Career opportunities

Nurses may choose employment in a number of healthcare settings, including:

• armed forces
• community settings 
• hospitals 
• Indigenous health environments 
• industrial sites 
• remote and rural area health clinics

Graduates of the Bachelor of Nursing Science (Graduate Entry) may undertake further study to develop careers in:

• midwifery 
• nursing specialities (mental health, intensive care, emergency, perioperative nursing) 
• research 
• management 
• education

Special  features

• accelerated program offers completion in two years of full-time study
• intensive clinical placement program 
• close relationships with regional health services
• opportunity to undertake further study in specialist areas

Entry requirements

Applicants for this program should meet one of the following entry requirements:

• completion of an Australian undergraduate degree (unspecified) or equivalent degree from an international university
• completion of a nursing degree from an international university deemed by the profession to be equivalent to pre-registration standard 
• completion of a certificate in nursing and a current licence to practice as a registered nurse—applicants in this category must be registered nurses with a current practicing certificate; registered nurses without a current practicing certificate should refer to the Bachelor of Nursing Science, where they may be eligible for advanced standing

Program structure

Introductory courses

1 required course:
NUR141 Health Promotion Implementation and Evaluation #

Advanced courses

13 required courses:
NUR211 Nursing, Assessment and Technology
NUR202 Caring Practice: Nursing Practicum 2
NUR212 Caring Practice: Nursing Practicum 3
HLT221 Caring Practice: Child, Youth and Family
NUR222 Human Pathophysiology
NUR231 Caring Communities: Professional Studies 2
NUR241 Drug Therapy
NUR272 Caring Practice: Health Alteration
NUR300 Continuing, Rehabilitative and Palliative Care(24 units)
HLT301 Caring Practice: Nursing Internship
NUR311 Caring Practices: Challenges to Mental Health
NUR331 Caring Practice: Nursing Practicum 4
NUR332 Caring Practice: Acute Health Alteration

Electives

Plus select 1 elective course from:
NUR312 Caring Communities: Transcultural Health Practices
NUR322 Caring Practice: Life Crisis

Nursing students have the ability to complete a Mental Health major as part of the program

# This course commences 2 weeks prior to the start of the Semester. International students should make allowances for this when applying for a visa.

Course substitution: the GO (Global Opportunities) Program

As part of your USC program, you may apply to participate in the GO Program to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider.

Program requirements and notes

1. A current Working with Children Blue Card is required from the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian before commencing clinical practice. This application process can take up to 10 weeks for processing. 
2. Criminal History Check is required.
3. Evidence of complete Hepatitis B vaccination is required before commencing clinical practice.
4. A current First Aid and CPR certificate is required from an organisation recognised by the Australian Resuscitation Council.
5. Travel is required to attend clinical placements.
6. A level of computer literacy is required including word processing and email.
7. Refer to the Academic Rules.
8. Refer to explanation of terms.
9. Refer to the recommended enrolment pattern. For previous recommended enrolment patterns refer to the relevant archived Student Handbook.
10. A sufficient command of the English language is required to ensure the safety and wellbeing of patients, (s54 Nursing Act 1992) and
11. The Queensland Nursing Council may require graduates to undertake and pass an examination determined by Council to determine English competence (s57 Nursing Act 1992) before a license to practice is issued.
12. International students need to refer to the University's English language proficiency requirements.
13. Only a full-time study option is available to international students.
14. Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including; namely essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations. Not all courses will necessarily include all methods.

Enquiries  

How to apply

Faculty of Science, Health and Education
Tel: +61 7 5456 5005
Email: nursing@usc.edu.au 

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