Bachelor of Nursing (Accelerated Program)

Description

The Bachelor of Nursing is designed to prepare students for the role of the registered nurse. The course incorporates a range of nursing subjects as well as behavioural science, physical science, ethics and professional subjects relevant to contemporary nursing practice. Graduates of the course are capable of delivering a high standard of confident, safe and therapeutic nursing care in a variety of health care settings. They demonstrate nursing care that is patient-centred, informed and responsible.

Clinical learning is a key element of the course with clinical placements in health care settings occurring in every semester. Learning technologies such as simulation, which is undertaken within the faculty's clinical practice laboratories, assist students in preparing for clinical practice. Across the course students develop an e-portfolio to showcase their abilities and facilitate career planning. In the third year of the course students are able to pursue an area of nursing interest by choosing a clinical specialty elective.

The course aims to prepare graduates who are independent lifelong learners to be attuned to the needs of patients from diverse backgrounds; are patient-centred and value collaboration with patients and colleagues; seek evidence in the exercise of clinical judgment and safe practice; and act in a professional, compassionate and ethical manner. In addition, graduates are prepared to foster the development of nursing as a practice discipline and demonstrate leadership in health care.

Career options for registered nurses include working in diverse specialty areas such as community health, critical care, intensive care, aged care, mental health, operating theatres and paediatrics. Career progression opportunities include working as a clinical nurse consultant, clinical nurse specialist, nurse educator, nurse manager, nurse practitioner or rural and remote practice nurse.

Requirements

•Bachelor of Nursing Accelerated: Graduate Entry: applicants who have successfully completed an Australian (or overseas equivalent) bachelor's degree in health, human bioscience, or social science within eight years prior to entry are eligible to apply. Successful applicants are given advanced standing (four subjects = 24 credit points) for their previous studies and are able to complete the course in two years full time, inclusive of pre-semester and summer subjects. Successful completion of the four-week, pre-semester subject in January/February 2012 is required before proceeding to the Bachelor of Nursing: Accelerated Graduate Entry course.

•Bachelor of Nursing Accelerated: Enrolled Nurse Certificate entry (graduates between 2004 to 2008): applicants must have completed the TAFE Certificate IV in Nursing (Enrolled Nurse) and have commenced their studies between 2003 and 2007. Hospital-trained enrolled nurses are not eligible for the accelerated course. Successful applicants are given advanced standing (five subjects = 30 credit points) for their previous studies and are able to complete the course in two years full time inclusive of pre-semester and summer subjects.

•Bachelor of Nursing Accelerated: Enrolled Nurse Certificate or Diploma entry (graduates from 2009): applicants must have completed the TAFE Certificate IV in Nursing (Enrolled/Division 2 Nursing) or the TAFE Diploma/Advanced Diploma of Nursing (Enrolled/Division 2 Nursing) and commenced their TAFE studies in or after 2008. Hospital-trained enrolled nurses are not eligible for the accelerated course. Successful applicants are given advanced standing (eight subjects = 48 credit points) for their previous studies and are able to complete the course in two years full time with no pre-semester or summer schools.

Notes

The Accelerated Program: Graduate Entry is offered at Kuring-gai campus on a full-time basis over two years and a part-time basis over four years including a pre-semester school in February at commencement and Summer session. The Accelerated Program: Enrolled Nurse is offered at Kuring-gai campus on a full-time basis over two years and a part-time basis over four years including Summer session.