174910 v.6 Bachelor of Science (Nursing) General

Introduction

This course provides an integrated comprehensive curriculum from the physical, biological, psychological and social sciences. It is designed for school leavers and others intending to practice as a registered nurse. It is also available to registered mental health nurses intending to become eligible for registration as a Comprehensive Nurse.

Course Entry Requirements/Prerequisites

None. Human Biology and Physical Science desirable.

Specific Requirements

A first aid qualification (Senior First Aid Certificate or equivalent) is required prior to completion of first year of the course. Nursing students are required to complete a health screening series. Applicants for this course should refer to the Communicable Diseases and Criminal Record Screening/Clearance Section of this publication. STAT elements considered are E and V. Students who have not successfully completed non-clinical units must do so within a period of two semesters in order to complete the course requirements. A break of more than two semesters will incur additional clinical practice before recommendation for registration is provided.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Applications for recognition of prior learning are assessed on an individual basis. Those with an Enrolled Nurse qualification may be awarded recognition of prior learning.

Duration and Availability

The course is three and a half years full-time study. The first two years are available on a full-time basis, at the Kalgoorlie Campus and Great Southern Regional College (Albany). Students must thereafter complete the remainder of the course on the Bentley campus. Bentley campus offers two intakes a year, in February and July. The complete course is offered at the Central West College of TAFE (Geraldton) through a mid year intake.

Course Organisation

All students receive field and clinical experience in a wide range of community and clinical settings. These are coordinated with the study units and range from observation visits to more prolonged periods in selected health agencies where students are given increasing involvement and responsibility in nursing activities. Students are assigned individual patients, appropriate to their level of academic preparation and experience, for supervised clinical practice. Staff members provide individual assistance and supervision of patient care. Students commence clinical experience in first semester with it gradually increasing throughout the course. It is expected that students will complete rural placements during the course of study.

Professional Recognition

This course has been designed to meet the regulations of the Nurses Board of Western Australia. Students who successfully complete all of the course requirements are eligible for recommendation by the Head of School to the Nurses Board of Western Australia for registration to practice as a Comprehensive Nurse.

Career Opportunities

The graduate nurse is expected to function as an effective practitioner of nursing, assessing, providing, and evaluating care for individuals, families and the community, and working with other members of the health team in hospitals - providing bedside care for children, adults, disabled people, the elderly, the mentally ill, community health agencies - child health centres, school health service, domiciliary nursing service, community health centres, public health field work and health education in city, rural and isolated areas, medical practice - with general and specialist medical practitioners, industrial settings - occupational health and safety, defence services - army, navy, air force, overseas service - World Health Organisation, Save the Children Fund, Australian Volunteers Abroad and medical missions.

Additional Course Expenses

Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks, readers and other vital study materials. In addition, students may also need to contribute some of the cost of consumables, which varies depending on the area of study.

Availability

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.