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 Special Project: Translating Knowledge into Practice
HLT100 Research Project A
LFS103 Research Project B
NUR103 Research Project C
NUR111 Research Project F
NUR121 Communication and Thought
NUR131 Anatomy and Physiology
NUR142 Introductory Bioscience
Advanced courses (14)
HLT221 Nursing Practicum 1
HLT301 Practice Foundations
NUR202 Health, Culture and Society
NUR211 Research Foundations
NUR212 Holistic Health Assessment
NUR222 Human Pathophysiology
NUR231 Challenges to Mental Health
NUR241 Nursing Practicum 3
NUR272 Nursing Practicum 2
NUR300 Caring for Child, Youth and Family
NUR311 Health Law and Ethics
NUR331 Drug Therapy
NUR332 Health Alteration
NUR341 Palliative, Rehabilitation and Continuing Care
Elective course (1)
Select 1 course from:
NUR312 Nursing Internship
NUR322 Nursing Practicum 4
OR another course with the approval of the Program Leader.