This program qualifies students to practice as registered nurses in Australia.
Courses include bioscience, anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, assessment and care of people throughout the lifespan, cultural, legal and ethical requirements, mental health, drug therapy and research. There is an option to complete a mental health major. Clinical placements are supervised by experienced clinicians in a variety of hospitals, aged care facilities, health agencies and community settings. Graduates achieve the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia Standards for Registered Nurses.
- Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
- * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2025 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
- Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
- ** The minimum three-year duration of the program will be extended for students commencing in Semester 2, due to the requirement to complete a final eight-week internship.
- The option to study at Gympie is not available to international students on a student visa.
- ** The minimum three-year duration of the program will be extended for students commencing in Semester 2, due to the requirement to complete a final eight-week internship.
Courses include bioscience, anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, assessment and care of people throughout the lifespan, cultural, legal and ethical requirements, mental health, drug therapy and research. There is an option to complete a mental health major. Clinical placements are supervised by experienced clinicians in a variety of hospitals, aged care facilities, health agencies and community settings. Graduates achieve the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia Standards for Registered Nurses.
Post-admission requirements
Before undertaking a clinical placement, students must obtain and maintain a current first aid and CPR certificate, provide evidence of hepatitis B immunisation, undergo a criminal history check and obtain a Blue Card. Refer to Program requirements and notes.
Career opportunities
Nurse in acute care, armed forces, community, rural, mental health, Indigenous health, aged care or industry settings.
Membership
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA); Australian College of Nursing.
Registration
Graduates are eligible to apply for registration as nurses in Australia with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, which is a Board of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia has a number of registration standards that graduates must demonstrate in order to be eligible for registration. For example, graduates must demonstrate English language skills at IELTS level 7, with 7 in all subtests, or equivalent before being considered for professional registration. For full details of the AHPRA Registration Standards, visit the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia website.
Program structure
For students commencing 2014. All other students please refer to previous handbooks.
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Complete all courses as listed below.
- (Optional) Select a Mental Health Major, after consultation with the Program Leader.
- Register any selected Majors with Student Administration.
In order to commence clinical placement you must:
- Hold a valid Suitability Card (Blue Card), throughout the duration of your program, which is issued by the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian (CCYPCG). You should allow 12 weeks for CCYPCG to issue the card. Note: students who do not possess a valid Blue Card will be unable to complete the clinical practice component of their program and will be unable to meet graduation requirements.
- Have a National Criminal History check (by Queensland Police Service or other state / territory authority).
- Show evidence of complete Hepatitis B vaccination (3 inoculations over a period of six months).
- A current First Aid and CPR certificate is required from an organisation recognised by the Australian Resuscitation Council before commencing clinical practice.
- Travel to attend clinical placements.
- Have a level of computer literacy, including word processing and email.
Program notes
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses).
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations. Not all courses will necessarily include all methods.
- The Global Opportunities (GO) Program is not currently available to nursing students.
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
- When enrolling, please refer to the Study Plan.
Program structure
Introductory courses (8)
COR109 Industry Internship 1: Communication, Creativity and Design
HLT100 Introduction to Design and Concept
LFS103 Introduction to Interaction & UX Design
NUR103 Responsive Website Design
NUR111 Interactivity and Frameworks
NUR121 Simulation in Practice Education
NUR131 Community and Primary Health Care
NUR142 Co-ordinating Care in Community and Primary Care Contexts
Advanced courses (14)
HLT221 Infant Care
HLT301 Leadership in Clinical Practice
NUR202 Responding in the Emergency Context
NUR211 Coordinating Complex Emergency Situations
NUR212 Global Emergency Issues
NUR222 Learning and Teaching in the Practice Environment
NUR231 Professional Internship
NUR241 Independent Study
NUR272 Mental Health Contexts of Care
NUR300 Research in Health Care
NUR311 Assessment in Mental Health
NUR331 Neonatal, Paediatric and Child Health Care
NUR332 Advanced Health Assessment
NUR341 Health Promotion Implementation and Evaluation
Elective course (1)
Select 1 course from:
NUR312 Health Promotion Needs Assessment and Planning
NUR322 Qualitative Research: Approaches and Practice
OR another course with the approval of the Program Leader.