Bachelor of Nursing Science (Graduate Entry) | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

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Bachelor of Nursing Science (Graduate Entry)

Switch to a rewarding career in nursing.

If you’ve completed an undergraduate degree in another area, gain credit for your degree and make the career change to become a Registered Nurse.

Study location
  • Sippy Downs
Refer to the program footnotes
CRICOS code
072637M
Commence
Semester 1 (only part-time option available—3 years minimum) or Semester 2 (full-time available)
Program length (full-time)
2.3 years
Semester tuition fee 2017
A$12,500
Estimated total tuition fee *
A$51,563
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.
  • * Duration note: The February (semester 1) offering is only available on a part-time basis. The full-time program is two years full-time plus an eight-week block nursing internship.
Study location QTAC code
  • Sunshine Coast 013411
Minimum selection threshold

GPA requirement

UniSC program code
SC392
Commence
Semester 1 (only part-time option available—3 years minimum) or Semester 2 (full-time available)
Duration
2.3 years full time (2 years full time plus an 8-week Nursing Internship) or equivalent part time *
Prerequisites
completion of an Australian bachelor degree (unspecified) or equivalent degree from an international university
Recommended prior study
English
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 2017
  • What will I pay?
Total courses
17
Total units
198
Footnotes
  • * Duration note: The February (semester 1) offering is only available on a part-time basis. The full-time program is two years full-time plus an eight-week block nursing internship.

If you’ve completed an undergraduate degree in another area, gain credit for your degree and make the career change to become a Registered Nurse.

Our program is designed to meet the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council Registered Nurse Standards for Practice and you’ll be eligible to apply for registration as a nurse with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

You’ll study courses including anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, assessment and care of people, mental health, and drug therapy. You will complete 800 hours of practical experience in clinical settings. Clinical placements are supervised by experienced clinicians in a variety of hospitals, aged care facilities, health agencies and community settings.

Choose to undertake Honours or further postgraduate study to specialise in midwifery or nursing.

Post-admission requirements

Before undertaking clinical placement, students must obtain and maintain a current first aid and CPR certificate, provide evidence of immunisations, 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 and industry settings.

Membership

Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA); Australian College of Nursing.

Registration

Students in nursing and midwifery programs are required to be registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) as students under the national law. USC arranges registration. Refer to the (AHPRA) website for detailed information.

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

Introductory courses (3)

HLT100 Science Research Methods
NUR104 Human Physiology
NUR141 Human Anatomy

Advanced courses (14)

HLT301 Integrated Physiology
NUR212 Biochemistry
NUR222 Microbiology
NUR226 Medical Genetics
NUR227 Introduction to Pharmacology(6 units)
NUR231 Molecular Biology
NUR241 Immunology
NUR286 Pathophysiology(6 units)
NUR287 Clinical placement I(6 units)
NUR300 Special Research Project(24 units)
NUR311 Workplace Learning I
NUR331 Advanced Professional Skills in Biomedical Science
NUR332 Clinical Embryology
PAR311 Communication for the Creative Professional *

*Note: Not yet available. For more information contact Student Central.

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

Total units: 198

Program requirements and notes

Program requirements

In order to graduate you must:

  • Successfully complete 198 units as outlined in the Program Structure

In order to commence clinical placement you must:

  • Hold a valid Blue Card from the Public Safety Business Agency (PSBA), throughout the duration of your program. You should allow 12 weeks for PSBA 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)
  • Hold a current First Aid and CPR certificate from an organisation recognised by the Australian Resuscitation Council
  • Travel to attend clinical placements
  • Have a level of computer literacy, including word processing and email

Note: You 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 10 weeks. Visit Nursing and Midwifery - Clinical Placement for more information about these requirements before you apply.

Program notes
  • Studying part-time is the only option available to students who commence from Semester 1
  • Most courses are valued at 12 units unless otherwise specified
  • Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods which may include essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations
  • Refer to the Planning your study page to manage your progression