Bachelor of Nursing Science | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

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Bachelor of Nursing Science

Care for people, become a nurse

Pursue your passion for health care and helping people through nursing while developing your scientific knowledge of anatomy and physiology, drug therapy, comprehensive health assessment and evidence-based practice.

Study locations
  • Sunshine Coast
  • Moreton Bay
  • Fraser Coast
  • Gympie
  • Caboolture
Refer to the program footnotes
CRICOS code
078086M
Commence
Semester 1 or Semester 2
Program length (full-time)
Semester 1 commencement: 3 years. Semester 2 commencement: 3.3 years (3 years plus an 8 week Nursing Internship)
Annual tuition fee 2021
A$29,000
Estimated total tuition fee *
A$87,000
Footnotes
  • 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 2023 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.
  • Applicants from a non-English speaking background must refer to English language requirements.
Study locations QTAC code
  • Sunshine Coast 013401
  • Moreton Bay 014021
  • Caboolture 018601
  • Fraser Coast 019101
  • Gympie 013501
Minimum selection threshold
  • Sunshine Coast ATAR - 81.00 / OP - - / Rank - 81
  • Fraser Coast ATAR - 70.00 / OP - - / Rank - 70
  • Caboolture ATAR - 70.00 / OP - - / Rank - 70
  • Gympie ATAR - 70.00 / OP - - / Rank - 70
  • Moreton Bay ATAR - 70.00 / OP - - / Rank - 70
UniSC program code
SC391
Commence
Semester 1 or Semester 2
Duration
Semester 1 commencement: 3 years full time or equivalent part time. Semester 2 commencement: 3.3 years full time or equivalent part time ( 3 years full time plus an 8 week Nursing Internship)
Applications close
Applications for Semester 1, 2021 at USC Sunshine Coast and USC Moreton Bay are now closed. Applications for all other campuses are open.
Study mode
Blended Learning
Recommended prior study
English; General Mathematics, Mathematical Methods or Specialist Mathematics; at least one science subject
Other requirements
All applicants must either be able to declare that English is their primary language (ie they have attended and satisfactorily completed at least six years of primary and secondary education taught and assessed solely in English. At least two years of this education must have been between grades 7 and 12. This education must have been completed in one of the following countries:  Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom, or United States of America.); or they must attain an Academic IELTS score of at least 7.0 with a minimum of 7.0 in each subtest (obtained within two years prior to the commencement of the program). For more information visit English language requirements.
Fee type 2021
  • Commonwealth supported places
Total courses
25
Total units
288

Pursue your passion for health care and helping people through nursing while developing your scientific knowledge of anatomy and physiology, drug therapy, comprehensive health assessment and evidence-based practice.

You’ll receive plenty of hands-on experience, preparing you for work in the healthcare industry when you graduate.

After completing our program, you may apply for registration as a nurse with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

On completion of your nursing program you will be required to meet the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) registration standards including English Language Skills and Criminal History. Please review these standards on the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia website: NMBA registration standards.

In this program you will:

  • Gain practical skills through 800 hours of nursing placement experience in clinical settings
  • Learn about anatomy and physiology
  • Understand the different health requirements for people of all ages and backgrounds
  • Appreciate cultural differences in delivering health care
  • Work with registered nurses, who will teach you latest techniques for health care

USC will pass on your details directly to the Nursing and Midwifery Board National Board for Student Registration. The National Board will register you for the duration of your program of study or clinical training in nursing or midwifery, or until you are no longer enrolled in your approved program of study or clinical training program.

For further information about your student registration with the National Board please visit their website.

Students who wish to apply for credit from a Diploma of Nursing must have completed the qualification through a Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) approved education provider, and students hold current Enrolled Nurse registration with AHPRA.

Post-admission requirements

Before undertaking a clinical placement, students must comply with the Pre-Clinical Mandatory Checks including:

  • Hold a valid Blue Card (Working with Children Check) from QLD Government Blue Card Services throughout the duration of your program. You should allow 12 weeks for Blue Card Services to issue the card.
  • Obtain a National Criminal History check through the Australian Federal Police
  • Comply with QLD Health vaccination requirements
  • A current First Aid and CPR certificate is required from an organisation recognised by the Australian Resuscitation Council, and a Mental Health First Aid online learning certificate, before commencing clinical practice
  • Complete the QLD Health student orientation requirements

Refer to the Pre-Clinical Mandatory Checks for further information.

Program special requirements

Students who meet the following criteria are required to take the Clinical Connections module before they can enrol in a clinical placement course in any given year of study:

  • Those who have passed a preparation for practice course but subsequently failed the clinical placement course.
  • Those who have transferred from another university with credit for a preparation for practice course but not the clinical placement course.
  • Those who have taken a break from their study for two or more consecutive semesters (including students transferring from another university with credit).

Completion of the Clinical Connections module formalises reintroduction to theory and supported practice, and ensures that students can proceed to clinical placement and meet NMBA professional standards relevant to practice at their level of study.

Career opportunities

Nurse in acute care, community, regional and remote, mental health, Indigenous health or aged care.

Graduates are eligible to become members of:
  • Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA)
  • Australian College of Nursing

Program structure

Introductory courses (9) 102 units

HLT100 Quantitative Research Methods
HLT103 Indigenous Wellbeing Foundations
LFS103 Epidemiology and Biostatistics
NUR104 Health Research Project A
NUR111 Health Promotion Project
NUR116 Health Research Project B
NUR117 Advanced Health Assessment(6 units)
NUR121 Simulation in Practice Education
NUR131 Responding in the Emergency Context

Developing and Graduate courses (14) 162 units

HLT301 Coordinating Complex Emergency Situations
NUR212 Global Emergency Issues
NUR222 Independent Study
NUR226 Assessment in Mental Health
NUR227 Cell Biology(6 units)
NUR231 Introduction to Behavioural Health
NUR241 Chemistry
NUR286 Science Research Methods(6 units)
NUR287 Human Physiology(6 units)
NUR300 Food in SocietyΔ (24 units)
NUR311 Public Health Foundations
NUR331 Communication and Thought
NUR332 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship
NUR302 Environment, Technology and Sustainability

Elective course (2) 24 units

Select 2 courses (24 units) from:

NUR272 Systemic Physiology IΔ
NUR312 BiochemistryΔ
NUR322 Food StudiesΔ

OR another course with the approval of the Program Leader.

Δ refer to Program notes

Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.

Total units: 288

Program requirements and notes

Program requirements

In order to graduate you must:

  • Successfully complete 288 units as outlined in the Program Structure

In order to commence clinical placement you must comply with the Pre-Clinical Mandatory Checks including:

  • Hold a valid Blue Card (Working with Children Check) from QLD Government Blue Card Services throughout the duration of your program. You should allow 12 weeks for Blue Card Services to issue the card.
  • Obtain a National Criminal History check through the Australian Federal Police
  • Comply with QLD Health vaccination requirements
  • A current First Aid and CPR certificate is required from an organisation recognised by the Australian Resuscitation Council before commencing clinical practice
  • Complete the QLD Health student orientation requirements
  • Travel to attend clinical placements
  • Have a level of computer literacy, including word processing and email

Students who do not comply with these requirements will be unable to complete the clinical practice component of their program and will be unable to meet graduation requirements

Note: Students are required to commence action of the above requirements immediately after enrolling. Hepatitis B immunity can take up to six months to determine and the processing of your USC Blue Card Application Form can take up to 12 weeks. Visit Nursing and Midwifery - Clinical Placement for more information about these requirements before you apply.

Program notes
  • Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses) and following the recommended study sequence
  • The unit value of all courses is 12 units unless otherwise specified
  • It is each students responsibility to enrol correctly according to your course requisites, program rules and requirements and be aware of the academic calendar dates
  • For Sippy Downs students some courses in this program will be taught at the Sunshine Coast Health Institute
    • Preparing for study at SCHI
  • Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods which may include essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations
  • Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa
  • International students on a Student visa please note:
    • Currently NUR272 , NUR312 , and NUR322 are ONLY offered via online mode. You may enrol in a maximum of 6 online courses during your program and must be enrolled in at least 1 on-campus course each study period
  • NUR300 Session 4 offering is only available to specific student cohorts
  • Usual teaching periods include Semester 1, Semester 2, Session 8 and Session 4
  • Refer to the Managing your progression page for help in understanding your program structure, reviewing your progress and planning remaining courses.