Bachelor of Nursing (Pre-registration) - University of South Australia

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Aim

The Bachelor of Nursing is intended to cater for those individuals who wish to pursue a career in nursing. The program is a prescribed program for students seeking registration with the Nurses Board of South Australia. The program aims to prepare nurses to be beginning collaborative practitioners, knowledge workers, critical thinkers, planners, coordinators and evaluators of nursing care.

The Bachelor of Nursing also contains pathways for Registered and Enrolled Nurses who have completed pre-registration/enrolment nursing qualifications at the certificate and diploma levels and wish to upgrade to a Bachelors degree.  Similarly, a pathway for Bachelor of Midwifery graduates is also included.

Entry requirements

In order to qualify for entry, applicants are required to have:

• qualified for the SACE;
• recorded achievement in five SACE subjects taken at Stage 2 level;
• included at least four Stage 2 subjects which are approved Higher Education Selection Subjects (HESS);
• obtained an achievement score of 10 or better for prerequisite subjects;
• obtained a competitive Tertiary Entrance Rank (TER).

 Alternatively, applicants may qualify for entry if they have:

• completed the equivalent secondary education qualifications as required for university entry under SACE;
• completed or partly completed a recognised higher education program at a recognised higher education institution;
• completed at least four Open Universities Australia (OUA) courses at the appropriate level;
• completed a recognised TAFE Diploma or Associate Diploma;
• completed the International Baccalaureate Diploma;
• qualified for Special/Mature Age Entry,
• completed either the Health Science or Whyalla stream of the UniSA Foundation Studies program.

or are:

• a Registered Nurse with certificate or diploma level qualifications in nursing;
• a graduate of the Bachelor of Midwifery;
• an Enrolled Nurse with a Current Practising Certificate.

English Language Entry Requirements
In addition, International students who speak English as a foreign language must satisfy the following:

International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic): Overall score of 6.5 obtained within the last two years or corresponding results from an equivalent test such as TOEFL or the appropriate Academic English language level delivered at CELUSA;
OR
Successful completion of a secondary qualification in Australia within the last two years;
OR
Successful completion of at least one year of tertiary study in Australia within the last two years;
OR
Successful completion of one year of secondary or tertiary study conducted and completed in English within the last two years in a country in which:

• English is an official language as determined by the University.

Content/structure

The content of this program has been designed to enable graduates to use a collaborative primary health care and population based approach in the delivery of nursing care in a range of settings and to a range of clientele.  This is achieved through an understanding of human biosciences, determinants of health, applied nursing principles and practice, professional standards, teamwork,health partnerships, research and technology.  Emphasis is placed on client centred health care in the practice of nursing for a multicultural society in metropolitan, rural and remote clinical settings.  Experiential Learning Activities provide opportunities for students to integrate theory to practice and further develop nursing knowledge and clinical decision making skills.  The program is also designed to provide graduates with the skills to be lifelong learners and thus able to extend their competence and knowledge through critical analysis and reflection on practice.

Professional recognition

Graduates are eligible to apply for registration as General Nurses with the Nurses Board of South Australia. At the time of publication, a mutual recognition agreement exists between all Australian nurse regulatory authorities.

Honours

Students obtaining a credit level average or higher may be accepted into an Honours program in accordance with the current policy, and then proceed to postgraduate research degrees.

Fee information

Fees for International students: $AU 16,750 per 1.0 EFTSL for students commencing in 2010.
Fees are calculated on a per Unit basis with 1.0 EFTSL = 36 Units.
Fees for International students are determined one year in advance and are subject to variation.

Program requirements

Rules

1. Police Check: All students in the Division of Health Sciences who undertake field or clinical placements, or participate in University clinics as part of their program, must have had a police clearance prior to the commencement of any placement or clinic activity.
2. A Senior First Aid Certificate is a prerequisite for these courses. Students will be expected to have successfully completed a recognised First Aid program before they will be permitted to commence these courses.
3. Students are required to satisfy the standard of dress, behaviour and fitness for practice as prescribed by institutions in which Experiential Leaning Activities/field placements are undertaken. Failure to satisfy such requirements may prevent students from meeting course requirements and hence the completion of the program.
4. Certificate Enrolled Nurses (or equivalent) will be granted 18 units of block credit.  Diplomate Enrolled Nurses (or equivalent) will be granted 36 units of block credit.

Notes

1. Some courses require the completion of pre and co requesites.  Students must check the calendar entry/course information for relevant courses.
2. It is recommended that students meet the vaccination requirements for health professionals prior to commencing the program.  Failure to meet vaccination requirements may limit placement opportunities.
3. Experiential Leaning Activities/placements are integral to this program.  Due to limited placement availability and/or a request from a placement venue that a student be assessed directly by a University staff member, some interstate and non-metropolitan students may be required to attend a placement in metropolitan Adelaide.