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: 013401
OP/Rank for 2007 entry: OP-15 / Rank-68
Award abbreviation: BNursSc
Duration: 3 years full-time or equivalent part-time
Total units: 288
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: 058567D

Program overview

This program of study prepares students 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 will prepare 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. Graduates 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 membership

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).

Career opportunities

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), in industry (mining, service, manufacturing, correctional services).

As a lifelong learner, this foundation degree can lead the graduate to further study to develop careers in midwifery, nursing specialties (mental health, intensive care, emergency, perioperative nursing), research, management or education.

Program structure

Introductory courses

8 required courses:
NUR101 Introductory Bioscience
NUR111 Caring Communities: Professional Studies 1
NUR121 Health, Culture and Society
NUR131 Research Foundation for Nursing Practice
LFS112 Human Physiology
LFS122 Human Anatomy
NUR142 Holistic Health Assessment
NUR103 Caring Practice: Nursing Practicum 1

Advanced courses

14 required courses:
NUR221 Human Pathophysiology
NUR231 Disease Management and Control
NUR241 Caring Practice: Health Alteration
NUR211 Caring Practice: Nursing Practicum 2
NUR301 Caring Practice: Challenges to Mental Health **
NUR331 Caring Practice: Acute Health Alteration **
NUR341 Caring Practice: the Older Adult **
NUR311 Caring Practice: Nursing Practicum 4 **
NUR212 Caring Practice: Child, Youth and Family
NUR272 Continuing, Rehabilitative and Palliative Care
NUR202 Caring Practice: Nursing Practicum 3
NUR222 Caring Communities: Professional Studies 2
NUR332 Caring Communities: Transcultural Health Practices **
NUR300 Caring Practice: Nursing Internship (24 units) **

Elective courses

Select 1 elective from:
NUR312 Caring Practice: Life Crisis  **
NUR322 Caring Practice: The Child Client **

Course substitution: the GO (Global Opportunities) Program

As part of their USC program, students may apply to participate in the GO Program to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider.

Program requirements and notes

1. A current first aid certificate from an organisation recognised by the Australian Resuscitation Council by the end of Semester 1 is required.
2. Evidence of Hepatitis B vaccination is required before commencing clinical practice in Semester 2.
3. A level of computer literacy is required including word processing and email.
4. Refer to the Academic Rules.
5. Refer to explanation of terms.
6. Refer to the recommended enrolment patterns.
7. Students must have sufficient command of the English language to ensure the safety and wellbeing of patients, (s54 Nursing Act 1992) and
8. 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.

Enquiries

Faculty of Science, Health and Education
Tel: +61 7 5430 2869
Email: sheinfo@usc.edu.au

** Not offered in 2007