Bachelor of Nursing Science | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

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Bachelor of Nursing Science

This program qualifies students to practice as registered nurses in Australia.

Courses include bioscience, anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, assessment and care of people throughout the lifespan, cultural, legal and ethical requirements, mental health, drug therapy and research. There is an option to complete a mental health major. Clinical placements are supervised by experienced clinicians in a variety of hospitals, aged care facilities, health agencies and community settings. Graduates achieve the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia Standards for Registered Nurses.

CRICOS code
078086M
Commence
Semester 1 or Semester 2 **
Footnotes
  • Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
  • * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2025 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
  • Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
  • ** The minimum three-year duration of the program will be extended for students commencing in Semester 2, due to the requirement to complete a final eight-week internship.
  •  
Study locations QTAC code
  • Sunshine Coast 013401
  • Gympie 013501
Minimum selection threshold
OP - 16 Rank - 64
UniSC program code
SC391
Commence
Semester 1 or Semester 2 **
Duration
3 years full time or equivalent part time
Recommended prior study
English; Maths A, B or C; at least one science subject
Other requirements
Applicants from a non-English speaking background must attain an IELTS score of at least 7.0 including at least 6.5 in each subtest. Refer to English language requirements.
Fee type 2014
  • Commonwealth supported places
  • Fee paying places
  • International fee-paying places
Total units
288
Footnotes
  • The option to study at Gympie is not available to international students on a student visa.
  • ** The minimum three-year duration of the program will be extended for students commencing in Semester 2, due to the requirement to complete a final eight-week internship.
  •  

Courses include bioscience, anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, assessment and care of people throughout the lifespan, cultural, legal and ethical requirements, mental health, drug therapy and research. There is an option to complete a mental health major. Clinical placements are supervised by experienced clinicians in a variety of hospitals, aged care facilities, health agencies and community settings. Graduates achieve the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia Standards for Registered Nurses.

Post-admission requirements

Before undertaking a clinical placement, students must obtain and maintain a current first aid and CPR certificate, provide evidence of hepatitis B immunisation, undergo a criminal history check and obtain a Blue Card. Refer to Program requirements and notes.

Career opportunities

Nurse in acute care, armed forces, community, rural, mental health, Indigenous health, aged care or industry settings.

Membership

Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA); Australian College of Nursing.

Registration

Graduates are eligible to apply for registration as nurses in Australia with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, which is a Board of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia has a number of registration standards that graduates must demonstrate in order to be eligible for registration. For example, graduates must demonstrate English language skills at IELTS level 7, with 7 in all subtests, or equivalent before being considered for professional registration. For full details of the AHPRA Registration Standards, visit the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia website.

Program structure

For students commencing 2014. All other students please refer to previous handbooks.

Program requirements

In order to graduate you must:

  • Complete all courses as listed below.
  • (Optional) Select a Mental Health Major, after consultation with the Program Leader.
  • Register any selected Majors with your Faculty.

In order to commence clinical placement you must:

  • Hold a valid Suitability Card (Blue Card), throughout the duration of your program, which is issued by the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian (CCYPCG). You should allow 12 weeks for CCYPCG to issue the card. Note: students who do not possess a valid Blue Card will be unable to complete the clinical practice component of their program and will be unable to meet graduation requirements.
  • Have a National Criminal History check (by Queensland Police Service or other state / territory authority).
  • Show evidence of complete Hepatitis B vaccination (3 inoculations over a period of six months).
  • A current First Aid and CPR certificate is required from an organisation recognised by the Australian Resuscitation Council before commencing clinical practice.
  • Travel to attend clinical placements.
  • Have a level of computer literacy, including word processing and email.
Program notes
  • Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses).
  • Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations. Not all courses will necessarily include all methods.
  • The Global Opportunities (GO) Program is not currently available to nursing students.
  • Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
  • When enrolling, please refer to the Study Plan.

Program structure

Introductory courses (8)

COR109 Communication and Thought
HLT100 Anatomy and Physiology
LFS103 Introductory Bioscience
NUR103 Nursing Practicum 1
NUR111 Practice Foundations
NUR121 Health, Culture and Society
NUR131 Research Foundations
NUR142 Holistic Health Assessment

Advanced courses (14)

HLT221 Human Pathophysiology
HLT301 Challenges to Mental Health
NUR202 Nursing Practicum 3
NUR211 Nursing Practicum 2
NUR212 Caring for Child, Youth and Family
NUR222 Health Law and Ethics
NUR231 Drug Therapy
NUR241 Health Alteration
NUR272 Palliative, Rehabilitation and Continuing Care
NUR300 Nursing Internship
NUR311 Nursing Practicum 4
NUR331 Acute Health Alteration
NUR332 Cultural Diversity in Nursing and Midwifery
NUR341 Caring for the Older Client

Elective course (1)

Select 1 course from:

NUR312 Life Crisis - Translating Theory Into Caring Practice
NUR322 The Child Client

OR another course with the approval of the Program Leader.

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Total units: 288