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 2008 entry: OP-18 / Rank-62
Award abbreviation: BNursSc
Duration: 3 years full-time or equivalent part-time
Total units: 288 units (normally 24 courses)
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:
LFS112 Human Physiology
LFS122 Human Anatomy
NUR101 Introductory Bioscience
NUR103 Caring Practice: Nursing Practicum 1
NUR111 Caring Communities: Professional Studies 1
NUR121 Health, Culture and Society
NUR131 Research Foundations for Health Practice
NUR142 Holistic Health Assessment

Advanced courses

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

Elective courses

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

Nursing students have the ability to complete a Mental Health Major as part of the program

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 and CPR certificate is required from an organisation recognised by the Australian Resuscitation Council.
2. A current Working with Children Blue Card is required from the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian before commencing clinical practice. This application process can take up to 10 weeks for processing.
3. Evidence of Hepatitis B vaccination is required before commencing clinical practice.
4. A level of computer literacy is required including word processing and email.
5. Refer to the Academic Rules.
6. Refer to explanation of terms.
7. Refer to the recommended enrolment patterns.
8. Students must have sufficient command of the English language to ensure the safety and wellbeing of patients (s54 Nursing Act 1992), and
9. 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.

How to apply

Apply for an undergraduate program.

Enquiries

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

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