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

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Bachelor of Nursing Science

Qualify to practise as a registered nurse in Australia.

Combine an understanding of bioscience, anatomy and physiology and human pathophysiology with healthcare and community engagement. Courses include acute health, palliative care, drug therapy and health alteration. There is an option to complete a mental health major. A nursing internship and four clinical placements are supervised by experienced clinicians in a variety of hospitals, aged care facilities, health agencies and community settings. Graduates achieve the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council Standards for Registered Nurses.

CRICOS code
078086M
Commence
Semester 1 or Semester 2 **
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 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, 2013 due to the requirement to complete a final eight-week internship. 
  •  
Study locations QTAC code
  • Sunshine Coast 013401
  • Gympie 013501
Minimum selection threshold
OP - 15 Rank - 68
UniSC program code
SC391
Commence
Semester 1 or Semester 2 **
Duration
3 years full time or equivalent part time
Other requirements
Applicants from a non-English speaking background must attain an IELTS score of at least 7.0 including at least 6.5 in each subtest. Refer to English language requirements.
Fee type 2013
  • Commonwealth supported places
  • Fee paying places
  • International fee-paying places
Total units
288
Footnotes
  • * Only first-year courses are offered at Gympie.
  • ** The minimum three-year duration of the program will be extended for students commencing in Semester 2, 2013 due to the requirement to complete a final eight-week internship. 
  •  

Combine an understanding of bioscience, anatomy and physiology and human pathophysiology with healthcare and community engagement. Courses include acute health, palliative care, drug therapy and health alteration. There is an option to complete a mental health major. A nursing internship and four clinical placements are supervised by experienced clinicians in a variety of hospitals, aged care facilities, health agencies and community settings. Graduates achieve the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council 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 Suitability Card (Blue Card CCYPCG). 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

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 Advanced Research Methods and Statistics
HLT100 Principles of Economics for Accountants
LFS103 Principles of Commercial Law
NUR103 Communication and Thought
NUR111 Anatomy and Physiology
NUR121 Introductory Bioscience
NUR131 Nursing Practicum 1
NUR142 Practice Foundations

Advanced courses (14)

HLT221 Health, Culture and Society
HLT301 Research Foundations
NUR202 Holistic Health Assessment
NUR211 Human Pathophysiology
NUR212 Challenges to Mental Health
NUR222 Nursing Practicum 3
NUR231 Nursing Practicum 2
NUR241 Caring for Child, Youth and Family
NUR272 Health Law and Ethics
NUR300 Drug Therapy
NUR311 Health Alteration
NUR331 Palliative, Rehabilitation and Continuing Care
NUR332 Nursing Internship
NUR341 Nursing Practicum 4

Elective course (1)

Select 1 course from:

NUR312 Acute Health Alteration
NUR322 Cultural Diversity in Nursing and Midwifery

OR another course with the approval of the Program Leader.

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Total units: 288