- Program summary
- Program overview
- Career opportunities
- Advanced standing, recognition of prior learning, credit and articulation
- Program structure
- Program requirements and notes
- Enquiries
- Recommended enrolment patterns
Program summary
QTAC code: 555808
Duration: 3.5 years full-time or equivalent part-time
Total units: 288 units (normally 24 courses) being 192 (normally 16 courses) completed at the University of the Sunshine Coast and 96 units advanced standing (equal to 8 courses) upon completion of the Diploma at the Southbank Institute of Technology (SBIT)
Fee type: Commonwealth supported places, domestic fee-paying places, international fee-paying places
Recommended prior study: English, maths, and at least one of the sciences.
Commence: Semester 1
CRICOS code: 056696M/058567D
Program overview
This is an articulated dual award between Southbank Institute of Technology (SBIT) and the University of the Sunshine Coast. You may complete the Diploma of Nursing Care (Enrolled/Division 2 Nursing) and the Bachelor of Nursing Science in 3.5 years.
On successful completion of your diploma, you may enrol in the Bachelor of Nursing Science with 8 courses of advanced standing.
The Diploma of Nursing Care is designed by the nursing profession to prepare individuals for employment as Enrolled Nurses, and to achieve personal and professional development for those already employed in the industry. Enrolled Nurses are first-level nurses who practice in all areas of clinical nursing under the supervision of Registered Nurses. This program includes medication endorsement allowing you then to administer medications.
The Bachelor of Nursing Science prepares you to be eligible to apply for registration as a nurse in Queensland. The program has a philosophical foundation based on caring and community engagement, a strong foundation in science, and emphasises the integral nature of clinical experience to the development of competence in nursing.
This program prepares nurses who are lifelong learners, critical and creative thinkers, and are able to care and contribute to the health of the population and the profession of nursing. On graduating, you will demonstrate achievement of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council Standards for Registered Nurses and be eligible to apply for registration as a nurse in Queensland.
Professional memberships
Following registration, graduates will be able to develop a career as a professional nurse in Queensland, interstate and some overseas countries in acute care (public or private hospitals in metropolitan, regional, interstate and overseas), in the community (domiciliary nursing, community health), in rural areas (hospitals, community nursing, flight nursing), and in industry (mining, service, manufacturing, correctional services).
As a lifelong learner, this foundation degree can lead you to further study to develop careers in midwifery, nursing specialties (mental health, intensive care, emergency, perioperative nursing), research, management or education.
Career opportunities
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 eligible to apply for membership to the Royal College of Nursing Australia (affiliated with the International Council of Nurses).
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
Program structure
Diploma of Nursing Care (Enrolled/Division 2 Nursing)
SBIT Modules required for the Diploma of Nursing Care are undertaken at the SBIT campus. For information on the specific modules for this program refer to the student information provided by SBIT.
Bachelor of Nursing Science
16 courses (192 units of credit) to be completed at USC:
LFS112(A) Human Physiology
NUR131 Research Foundations for Health Practice
NUR142 Holistic Health Assessment
NUR202 Caring Practice: Nursing Practicum 3
NUR212 Caring Practice: Child, Youth and Family
NUR221 Human Pathophysiology
NUR222 Caring Communities: Professional Studies 2
NUR231 Drug Therapy and Disease Transmission
NUR241 Caring Practice: Health Alteration
NUR272 Continuing, Rehabilitative and Palliative Care
NUR300 Caring Practice: Nursing Internship (24 units)
NUR301 Caring Practice: Challenges to Mental Health
NUR311 Caring Practice: Nursing Practicum 4
NUR331 Caring Practice: Acute Health Alteration
NUR341 Caring Practice: the Older Adult
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
- A current first aid certificate from an organisation recognised by the Australian Resuscitation Council by the end of Semester 1 is required.
- Evidence of Hepatitis B vaccination is required before commencing clinical practice in Semester 2.
- A level of computer literacy is required including word processing and email.
- Refer to the Academic Rules.
- Refer to explanation of terms.
- Refer to the recommended enrolment patterns.
- You must have sufficient command of the English language to ensure the safety and wellbeing of patients, (s54 Nursing Act 1992)
- 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.
How to apply
Apply for an undergraduate program.
Enquiries
Southbank Institute of Technology (SBIT)
Tel: +61 7 3244 5000
Email: southbank.tafe@det.qld.gov.au
Refer to the www.southbank.edu.au
University of the Sunshine Coast (USC)
Faculty of Science, Health and Education
Tel: +61 7 5430 2869
Email: sheinfo@usc.edu.au