174910 v.8 Bachelor of Science (Nursing)

Introduction

The Bachelor of Science (Nursing) is designed for those intending to practice as a registered nurse. The comprehensive stream is available for school leavers and mature age students; the enrolled nurse to registered nurse steam is available for Australian recognised Enrolled Nurses with 1000 hours of related clinical experience. This course provides a comprehensive program of study involving a diverse range of simulated practice and fieldwork, interprofessional learning, contemporary blended learning, advanced clinical skill development and opportunity for an international study experience.

Course Entry Requirements/Prerequisites

Prerequisites: Australian Residents: Applicants must satisfy university entry requirements including competence in English. Selection is based principally on the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) for Western Australian school leavers and on the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) for mature age applicants. Information regarding the STAT is available from TISC and in the Curtin Handbook http://handbook.curtin.edu.au. STAT requirements are Written English and MC Verbal. Desirable: Human Biological Science 3A/3B and Integrated Science 3A/3B. Those applying for the Enrolled Nurse to Registered Nurse stream are required to meet the Curtin University standard entry requirements and be currently enrolled with AHPRA as an Enrolled Nurse (Division 2). Applicants are required to have completed at least 1000 hours of clinical work experience as an Enrolled Nurse. Students should submit their application directly to the Health Sciences Student Services Office, Building 400, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA, 6845. International Students studying in Australia on a student visa can only study full-time and there are also specific entry requirements that must be met. Please refer to http://international.curtin.edu.au/ or phone +61 8 9266 7331 for further information.

Specific Requirements

Applicants are required to successfully complete a Senior First Aid Certificate or equivalent by the completion of the first semester of the course. Students are also required to complete criminal record and health screening. Applicants should see advice for clinical health sciences students and police clearances and working with children checks. 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 one semester will incur additional clinical practice. Manual handling competency is a requirement for the course; training will be necessary in the first year of the course and a refresher course undertaken later in the course.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of prior learning and/or exemptions may be granted to students who have successfully completed additional approved tertiary studies. Applications for recognition of prior learning are assessed on an individual basis. Those with an Australian recognised Enrolled Nurse qualification and 1000 hours of related clinical experience may be eligible for the Enrolled Nursing to Registered Nursing Stream and may receive exemption to the value of 300 credits.

Duration and Availability

The comprehensive stream is taken over three and a half years of full-time study or equivalent part-time and is offered twice a year, in February and July at the Bentley campus, once a year at regional sites (Albany and Geraldton). The maximum duration is eight years to complete the course. The enrolled nurse to registered nurse stream is taken over two years of full-time study or equivalent part-time and is offered once a year in the external study mode, in July at the Bentley campus only and the clinical component for the EN to RN Stream must be completed in Western Australia. 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.

Course Organisation

During the course there is considerable emphasis on developing relevant clinical skills to meet the needs of changing healthcare. A large proportion of the course involves simulated learning and practical experience in a variety of hospital and community settings and includes the care of people of all ages across healthy to acutely unstable states. Simulated practice supports the development of competency prior to fieldwork placements in a safe learning environment. Clinical visits range from observation visits to more prolonged periods in selected health agencies where students are given increasing involvement and responsibility in nursing activities under the supervision of academic and industry staff. Students commence clinical experience in second semester, which may involve a rural placement and shiftwork, including night duty and weekend work. Students may also choose to undertake an overseas placement as part of their study.

Professional Recognition

This course has been designed to meet the regulations of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. Students who successfully complete the course requirements are eligible for recommendation by the Head of School to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia for registration as Division 1 comprehensive registered nurses. Registration is subject to meeting all requirements of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. To meet the registration requirements of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia students are expected to complete the comprehensive stream within 8 years and the enrolled nurse to registered nurse stream within 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 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.

Career Opportunities

Employment is available in diverse healthcare settings including teaching hospitals; public and private hospitals; mental health facilities and allied health services (clinics, alcohol and drug centres); community health agencies; aged care; primary healthcare settings; medical practices with general and specialist practitioners; and defence services.

Additional Course Expenses

For a full list and explanation of fees and charges, please refer to fees.curtin.edu.au. A computer with Internet access is a requirement. Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks, readers 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 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.

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.