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Curtin University
Courses Handbook 2014

This handbook contains information for courses and units at Curtin in 2014.
Information for the previous year's courses and units is available at Courses Handbook 2013.

301591 v.4 Bachelor of Science (Nursing) Conversion Program for Registered Nurses

BSc(Curtin)

Course CRICOS Code: 003886K
Registered full-time Duration for International Onshore Students on student visas: 1 Year


Course Overview

Bachelor degrees prepare students to develop broad and coherent knowledge and skills in a discipline for professional work and further learning corresponding to AQF level 7 qualifications.


This course is designed to build on the professional knowledge and experience of registered nurses; through study of research, evidence informed practice and the biological and behavioural sciences underlying nursing. Emphasis is placed upon the maintenance and development of professional nursing competencies and enhancing capabilities as members of an interprofessional team in a changing health care system. The course will establish a basis for future postgraduate study, specialisation and research. Utilisation of the problem solving approach is promoted, with particular focus on the identification and assessment of health problems and nursing needs of individuals and their families.


Professional Recognition

This course has been designed to meet the regulations of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. Completion of this course allows graduates to seek registration as a registered nurse (Division 1) with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia


Additional Course Expenses

Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks and other essential study materials.


Special Note

On completion of this course, you will not be eligible for registration to practice as a Registered Nurse (RN), unless you are able to meet the national registration standards. These include (but are not limited to): Assessment of your initial nursing qualification and registration; Criminal History Screening; English Language Proficiency; Assessment of any health, conduct or performance issues. For more information on the registration process or standards, please refer to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia: www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au



Course Entry and Completion Details

Applicants are required to meet University academic and English language entry standards; details are provided at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au and include flexible entry pathways.


This program is available to: nurses who are currently registered within Australia wanting to upgrade their qualification from a nurse diploma (general) to a degree; nurses whose Australian registration has lapsed due to a lack of currency of practice (must have practiced within the last 10 years); registered general nurses from overseas wishing to gain registration in Australia (must hold qualifications that have been recognised via the Australian Qualifications Framework as equivalent to minimum of a 3 year diploma, meet Curtin nursing english and entry requirements and have a minimum of 12 months recent clinical nursing experience as a Registered General Nurse in a hospital). STAT is not accepted for entry to this course, but may be used to demonstrate English competence requirements.


Credit for Recognised Learning

Applications for credit towards a course are assessed on an individual basis. Credit reduces the amount of learning required to complete the course and may be granted for formal education qualifications, non-formal learning from non-award programs of study and informal learning through work experiences. Further information can be found at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au.


Pathway to Further Study

Graduates may qualify for entry to a bachelor degree with honours and some graduate certificates, graduate diplomas and master degrees. For further details, see the University website http://curtin.edu.au.


Course Entry/Completion Note

To meet the regulations of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia students are expected to complete the course within 2.5 years. Failure to complete the course in the allocated time period may necessitate the completion of additional units to ensure currency of practice. Students undertaking this course for the purpose of Australian registration must meet the national registration standards. These include (but are not limited to): assessment of initial qualification and registration; criminal history screening; English language proficiency and assessment of health, conduct or performance issues.For more information on the registration process or standards, please refer to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia: http://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au



Course Organisation

Bachelor degrees typically contain a series of units which may include compulsory (core), optional or elective units to cater for student preferences. They may contain a range of majors/streams for students to choose from to pursue learning in a specialised area of study.


Course Learning Outcomes

A graduate of this course can:

1. demonstrate accountable, safe, effective and innovative nursing care incorporating research evidence into nursing practice

2. use reflective, evidence based and problem solving approaches to the provision of nursing care

3. access and critically evaluate and utilise health care information

4. communicate effectively with clients, families, communities, within diverse health contexts

5. use technologies that assist the nurse to provide quality patient care within a changing health care environment

6. be an independent, self-directed learner who constructively reflects upon the health, social and educational experiences of self and others

7. incorporate regional, national, and global trends and innovations in health care into nursing practice

8. incorporate social, economic and cultural differences in the provision of culturally appropriate and sensitive nursing care to clients in a variety of settings

9. demonstrate ethical practice in accordance with legislation, nursing practice standards and professional codes of conduct


Duration and Availability

The course is one year full-time study and may be completed within one year full-time or two years' part-time equivalent. Some units are available to be studied in the external mode. Australian citizens and permanent residents may have the choice of full-time or part-time study. International students studying in Australia on a student visa are required to undertake a full-time internal study load. There are two intakes each year, February and July.


Location and delivery Mode


Year Location Period All* Internal Partially Online Internal^ External Fully Online#
2014 Bentley Campus Semester 1 Y        
2014 Bentley Campus Semester 2 Y        
2014 Singapore Campus Trimester 1A   Y      
2014 Singapore Campus Trimester 2A   Y      
2014 Singapore Campus Trimester 3A   Y      

The information displayed above refers to study periods and locations where the course is available for first time entry. Students are normally only offered or admitted to a course once.

* The course itself may not be available either solely internally or externally but individual units may be offered in either or both of those modes. Prospective students should contact the Course Coordinator for further information.

^ Course and associated units are offered in this mode permitting International Onshore student enrolment.

# Course and associated units are offered in this online only mode and DO NOT permit International Onshore student enrolment.




Course Structure Hrs/Wk Credit
313042 v.1 *   Applied Bioscience 366 6.0 25.0
313032 v.1 *   Inquiry for Nursing Practice 263 4.0 25.0
313041 v.2 *   Nursing Practice 365 44.0 25.0
313043 v.1 *   Behavioural Health Science for Nursing and Midwifery 366 4.0 25.0
313044 v.1 *   Inquiry for Nursing Practice 366 4.0 25.0
313395 v.2 *   Health and Health Behaviour 100 3.0 25.0
313038 v.1 *   Applied Bioscience 365 6.0 25.0
313039 v.2 *   Behavioural Health Science for Nursing 365 4.0 25.0
313045 v.2 *   Nursing Practice 366 48.0 25.0
313026 v.1 *   Nursing Practice 161 6.0 25.0
313030 v.1 *   Applied Bioscience 263 5.0 25.0
313031 v.2 *   Behavioural Health Science for Nursing and Paramedicine 263 4.0 25.0
313033 v.4 *   Nursing Practice 263 48.0 25.0
313394 v.3 *   Foundations for Professional Health Practice 100 4.0 25.0
313399 v.3 *   Integrated Systems Anatomy and Physiology 100 4.0 25.0
313047 v.2 *   Nursing Practice 467 44.0 50.0
313391 v.3 *   Human Structure and Function 100 4.0 25.0
313037 v.3 *   Clinical Practice 264 48.0 25.0
313035 v.3 *   Behavioural Health Science for Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine 264 3.0 25.0
  500.0
Year 1
313367 v.1   Non-Registration Nurse Stream (Conversion Program for Registered Nurses) 200.0
  OR  
313366 v.1   Australian Registration Nurse Stream (BSc Conversion Program for Registered Nurses) 200.0
  200.0

*    Units marked with an asterisk reflect Credit for Recognised Learning (CRL) awarded.




Further Information

For more information about the course, please contact the Faculty of Health Sciences on telephone (08) 9266 1000, email futurestudents@health.curtin.edu.au, or visit our website: http://healthsciences.curtin.edu.au


Course Structure Disclaimer

Curtin University reserves the right to alter the internal composition of any course to ensure learning outcomes retain maximum relevance. Any changes to the internal composition of a course will protect the right of students to complete the course within the normal timeframe and will not result in additional cost to students through a requirement to undertake additional units.




Handbook Disclaimer

The online handbook is the repository of Curtin University of Technology (“Curtin”) course information. While Curtin makes all reasonable endeavors to keep its online courses handbook up-to-date, information within this website is subject to change from time to time. Curtin reserves the right to change the contents and/or the method of assessment, to change or alter tuition fees of any unit of study, to withdraw/any unit of study or program which it offers, to impose limitations on enrolment in any unit or program, and/or to vary arrangements for any program without notification via the website.

For course overviews and enrolment information please visit our future students website.