Switch to a rewarding career in nursing.
Use credit from another undergraduate degree you’ve completed to make a career change to become a registered nurse.
- 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.
- Duration note: The full-time program is two years full-time plus an eight-week block nursing internship.
- Duration note: The full-time program is two years full-time plus an eight-week block nursing internship.
Use credit from another undergraduate degree you’ve completed to make a career change to become a registered nurse.
In this practical degree, you’ll learn about anatomy and physiology, drug therapy, comprehensive health assessment and care of people. Learn from experienced clinicians in work placements in hospitals, aged-care facilities, health agencies and community settings.
When you graduate from this 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 need 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:
- Complete 800 hours of work placements in clinical settings
- Learn about anatomy and physiology, comprehensive health assessment, and drug therapy
- Assess and care for patients
- Continue learning through an honours or Master’s program to specialise in nursing
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.
No further credit can be applied for from the undergraduate degree.
Admission requirements
Applicants must complete an (unspecified) Australian bachelor degree (AQF Level 7), or equivalent degree from an international university.
Completed graduate diplomas, masters and/or doctorates are accepted equivalents, with a minimum post-secondary volume of study of 3.00 years full-time (or equivalent) of which 1.00 year full-time (or equivalent) must have been completed within the past ten years.
Places in this program are limited, eligibility for an offer of admission will be based on the applicants Grade Point Average in their undergraduate degree.
Applicants from a non-English speaking background refer to English language requirements.
Post-admission requirements
Before undertaking clinical placement, students must obtain and maintain a current first aid and CPR certificate, obtain the Mental Health First Aid online learning certificate, provide evidence of immunisations, undergo a criminal history check and obtain a Blue Card — Refer to Program requirements and notes.
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, armed forces, community, regional and remote, mental health, Indigenous health, aged care and industry settings.
Graduates are eligible to become members of:
- 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
Introductory courses (3) 36 units
Developing and Graduate courses (14) 162 units
HLT301 Δ
NUR212
NUR222
NUR226
NUR227 (6 units)
NUR231
NUR241
NUR286 (6 units)
NUR287 (6 units)
NUR300 Δ(24 units)
NUR311
NUR331
NUR332
NUR302
Δ refer to Program notes
Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 198
Recommended study sequences
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 comply with the Pre-Clinical Mandatory Checks including:
- 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
- Hold a Mental Health First Aid online learning certificate
- 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
- 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
- HLT301 (if enrolling in Semester 1) MUST be completed at Sunshine Coast Health Institute, not the Sippy Downs campus.
- Preparing for study at SCHI
- NUR300 Session 4 offering is only available to specific student cohorts
- 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 Managing your progression page for help in understanding your program structure, reviewing your progress and planning remaining courses.