Bachelor of Nursing (Mount Gambier)
University of South Australia
About
The healthcare industry is constantly changing with new technologies and approaches to improve the detection, diagnosis and management of chronic and acute illness, as well as having a strong emphasis on keeping populations healthy.
Our nursing degree is evolving with these changes, which means you will be guaranteed an industry-relevant, practical qualification that ensures you graduate career-ready.
There is a strong focus on theory and practical experience, and you will do much of your learning in our unique clinician-led, authentic hospital and health service on campus.
Our state-of-the-art facilities include authentic hospital wards, clinical units and community areas.
This simulated hospital environment, known as the Horizon Hospital and Health Service (HHHS), is led by practicing registered nurses and midwives (clinicians), and is the only one of its kind in South Australia.
You will then have the opportunity to further develop these skills when you embark on real-world clinical placements across metropolitan, regional and rural hospitals and health services under the supervision of registered nurses.
What you'll need When students undertake activities where interaction with patients/the public is required for their degree, such as clinical placements in health settings.
They must demonstrate that they meet mandatory pre-placement conditional requirements.
These include criminal history clearance, a Working with Children Check and immunisation requirements.
Please visit the Clinical Placement Unit for information on key requirements, and to access the full student checklists.
On entry to the qualification you will be required to confirm that you meet the ‘Fitness to Practice in Clinical Placements’ requirements.
All students enrolled in a program leading to professional registration must be registered with the relevant National Board.
The registration process is undertaken by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) with the University providing notification to AHPRA following enrolment in the program.
Structure
| Course name | Area and cat no | Units | Reference | Rules |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STAGE 1 - Knowledge, skills and attitudes for understanding | ||||
| First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3) | ||||
| Being a Health Professional | NURS 1033 | 9 | Rule(s): 10 | |
| Human Body 1 | BIOL 1047 | 4.5 | ||
| Global and National Health | HLTH 1036 | 4.5 | Rule(s): 10 | |
| Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6) | ||||
| Human Body 2 | BIOL 1048 | 4.5 | ||
| First Peoples' Health | HLTH 1047 | 4.5 | ||
| Mental Health | HLTH 1037 | 4.5 | ||
| Experiential Learning Activity: Preparation for Clinical Practice Practicum 1 | NURS 1061 | 4.5 | Rule(s): 5,6,7,10,12 | |
| STAGE 2 - Knowledge, skills and attitudes for intervention | ||||
| First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3) | ||||
| Health of Older Adults | NURS 2024 | 9 | Rule(s): 10 | |
| Scientific Basis of Clinical Practice | BIOL 2058 | 4.5 | ||
| Experiential Learning Activity: Older Adults Practicum 2 | NURS 2034 | 4.5 | Rule(s): 5,6,7,10,12 | |
| Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6) | ||||
| Health of Adults | NURS 2023 | 9 | Rule(s): 10 | |
| Health of Infants, Children and Young People | NURS 2022 | 4.5 | Rule(s): 5,6,7,10 | |
| Experiential Learning Activity: Acute Care Practicum 3 | NURS 2033 | 4.5 | Rule(s): 5,6,7,10,12 | |
| STAGE 3 - Knowledge, skills and attitude for professional practice | ||||
| First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3) | ||||
| Research Methodologies | NURS 3044 | 4.5 | ||
| Nursing Contexts of Practice | NURS 3045 | 4.5 | Rule(s): 10 | |
| Experiential Learning Activity: Extension to Practice Practicum 4 | NURS 3042 | 9 | Rule(s): 5,6,7,10,12 | |
| Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6) | ||||
| Becoming a Registered Nurse | NURS 3041 | 4.5 | Rule(s): 10 | |
| Experiential Learning Activity: Transition to Practice Practicum 5 | NURS 3043 | 9 | Rule(s): 5,6,7,10,12 | |
| Nursing Project | NURS 3046 | 4.5 | Rule(s): 10 | |
| Students who have been granted 36 units of credit in accordance with rule 13 below are required to complete the following: | Rule(s): 13 | |||
| STAGE 1 - Knowledge, skills and attitudes for understanding | ||||
| First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3) | ||||
| Professional Practice N | NURS 1044 | 4.5 | Note(s): 1 | |
| STAGE 2 - Knowledge, skills and attitudes for intervention | ||||
| Health of Older Adults | NURS 2024 | 9 | Rule(s): 10 | |
| Scientific Basis of Clinical Practice | BIOL 2058 | 4.5 | ||
| Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6) | ||||
| Health of Adults | NURS 2023 | 9 | Rule(s): 10 | |
| Health of Infants, Children and Young People | NURS 2022 | 4.5 | Rule(s): 5,6,7,10 | |
| Experiential Learning Activity: Acute Care Practicum 3 | NURS 2033 | 4.5 | Rule(s): 5,6,7,10,12 | |
| STAGE 3 - Knowledge, skills and attitudes for professional practice | ||||
| First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3) | ||||
| Research Methodologies | NURS 3044 | 4.5 | ||
| Nursing Contexts of Practice | NURS 3045 | 4.5 | Rule(s): 10 | |
| Experiential Learning Activity: Extension to Practice Practicum 4 | NURS 3042 | 9 | Rule(s): 5,6,7,10,12 | |
| Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6) | ||||
| Becoming a Registered Nurse | NURS 3041 | 4.5 | Rule(s): 10 | |
| Experiential Learning Activity: Transition to Practice Practicum 5 | NURS 3043 | 9 | Rule(s): 5,6,7,10,12 | |
| Nursing Project | NURS 3046 | 4.5 | Rule(s): 10 | |
| Students who have been granted 18 units of credit in accordance with rule 13 below are required to complete the following: | Rule(s): 13 | |||
| STAGE 1 - Knowledge, skills and attitudes for understanding | ||||
| Professional Practice N | NURS 1044 | 4.5 | Note(s): 1 | |
| Human Body 1 | BIOL 1047 | 4.5 | ||
| Global and National Health | HLTH 1036 | 4.5 | Rule(s): 10 | |
| Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6) | ||||
| Human Body 2 | BIOL 1048 | 4.5 | ||
| Mental Health | HLTH 1037 | 4.5 | ||
| STAGE 2 - Knowledge, skills and attitudes for intervention | ||||
| First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3) | ||||
| Health of Older Adults | NURS 2024 | 9 | Rule(s): 10 | |
| Scientific Basis of Clinical Practice | BIOL 2058 | 4.5 | ||
| Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6) | ||||
| Health of Adults | NURS 2023 | 9 | Rule(s): 10 | |
| Health of Infants, Children and Young People | NURS 2022 | 4.5 | Rule(s): 5,6,7,10 | |
| Experiential Learning Activity: Acute Care Practicum 3 | NURS 2033 | 4.5 | Rule(s): 5,6,7,10,12 | |
| STAGE 3 - Knowledge, skills and attitudes for professional practice | ||||
| First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3) | ||||
| Research Methodologies | NURS 3044 | 4.5 | ||
| Nursing Contexts of Practice | NURS 3045 | 4.5 | Rule(s): 10 | |
| Experiential Learning Activity: Extension to Practice Practicum 4 | NURS 3042 | 9 | ||
| Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6) | ||||
| Becoming a Registered Nurse | NURS 3041 | 4.5 | Rule(s): 10 | |
| Experiential Learning Activity: Transition to Practice Practicum 5 | NURS 3043 | 9 | Rule(s): 5,6,7,10,12 | |
| Nursing Project | NURS 3046 | 4.5 | Rule(s): 10 |
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
Admission criteria
The admission criteria have been grouped to assist you to easily find the information most relevant to your circumstances. However, you may fit into more than one and the university will consider applicants against each of the relevant criteria.
Certain conditions apply. For more information refer to Appendix 4 of the University's Selection and Entry policy.
Applicants are required to meet one of the following criteria with a competitive result, and demonstrate that they fulfil any prerequisite requirements and essential requirements for admission:
Recent secondary education Meet any prerequisite requirements with a minimum grade of C- or equivalent AND
- Qualify for the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE), and achieved a competitive Selection Rank (ATAR), or
- Complete secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE, or
- Complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum score of 24 points
Applicants who have not achieved the Selection Rank required for automatic selection may be selected for any remaining places based on the grades of their year 12 subjects.
OR Higher education study
- Complete or partly complete a recognised higher education program at a recognised higher education institution, or
- Complete at least four Open Universities Australia (OUA) courses at undergraduate level or above
OR Vocational Education and Training (VET)
- Complete an award from a registered training organisation at Diploma level or above
OR Work and life experience
- Qualify for Special Entry, or
- Complete a UniSA Foundation Studies program or equivalent, or
- Hold completed secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE obtained more than 2 years in the past
Essential requirements for admission
Prerequisites
Assumed Knowledge
Deferment
This degree is available for deferment. This option is made available by responding to your offer during the application process via the SATAC website. Applicants who receive an offer into a midyear degree are eligible to defer for six months.
Learning outcomes
When students undertake activities where interaction with patients/the public is required for their degree, such as clinical placements in health settings. They must demonstrate that they meet mandatory pre-placement conditional requirements. These include criminal history clearance, a Working with Children Check and immunisation requirements. Please visit the Clinical Placement Unit for information on key requirements, and to access the full student checklists. On entry to the qualification you will be required to confirm that you meet the ‘Fitness to Practice in Clinical Placements’ requirements.
All students enrolled in a program leading to professional registration must be registered with the relevant National Board. The registration process is undertaken by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) with the University providing notification to AHPRA following enrolment in the program.
This degree prepares you for placement and your professional nursing career with more than 170 hours of learning in our unique clinician led, authentic simulated Horizon Hospital and Health Service (HHHS). You will also complete more than 900 hours in clinical settings across metropolitan, regional and rural hospitals, and health services.
We teach and assess four domains of nursing practice during your studies including:
- collaborative and therapeutic practice
- critical thinking and analysis
- professional practice
- provision and coordination of care.
The degree is designed to prepare you to meet healthcare delivery requirements for the 21st century and respond to Australian and international healthcare priorities and trends. Six integrated themes are embedded throughout the curriculum and represent core approaches that inform contemporary nursing practice:
- cultural competence
- evidence-based practice
- mental health
- primary health
- professional communication
- safety and quality.
For each course you study, you will need to allocate time for various classes such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Plus you will need additional hours to study in your own time to complete assignments, readings and projects and contribute to online discussion forums (independent study). So as a general rule, if you are studying full-time you would need to allocate on average 40 hours per week.
Your studies will incorporate practical, professionally-focused and research-based learning, so assessment types will vary. You can expect them to include:
As a student, you will benefit from our strong industry links. You will learn from experienced clinicians, including registered nurses both on campus and when you complete clinical placements as part of your study.
These placements provide you with the opportunity to practice your clinical skills, implement your knowledge into practice, learn from industry-experienced professionals in the field, and build valuable networks and relationships.
Students may have the opportunity to undertake an overseas study tour or participate in exclusive clinical placement streams with industry healthcare partners.
We also host regular University-wide employee master classes and employment expos, and alumni events in Australia and overseas.
Your career
Registered nurses play a key role at the forefront of healthcare service, with their contribution to client care imperative for the wellbeing of today's society. This degree prepares you to deliver the highest quality care to individuals and groups, and also meets and responds to Australian and international health challenges and priorities.
Graduates can work in a wide variety of healthcare settings, such as:
- hospitals
- primary health and community support services
- aged and rehabilitative care
- schools
- home care
- drug and alcohol treatment centres
- community health organisations
- mental health services
- international aid agencies
- corrections facilities
- management
As a Registered Nurse, you may also have the opportunity to undertake further study in the areas of research with a Masters by Research or specialise in areas like allergy nursing, critical care or cardiovascular with our range of postgraduate qualifications.
Graduates may complete the Transition to Professional Practice Program with a participating employer.
Applying to study with us:
- go to the top of this page and make note of the SATAC code, then click Apply
- you will be redirected through to the SATAC website to continue your application
Our campuses have fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and areas that simulate real work environments. But you’ll also discover that your journey at UniSA is about social experiences, healthy living and getting involved. Our Mount Gambier Learning Centre features state-of-the-art facilities and study spaces, including the very latest in information and communications technology, so you can quickly access resources online. There are campus sport activities to keep you active, and if you are keen to explore the social side of university life, there are movies, cooking demonstrations, parties and loads more.
Our student support services will make your life at university easier. We want you to be successful, and if you need help, we're here to assist. We provide a full range of support services, including:
- academic counselling
- personal counselling
- social support services, including family support and nearby childcare
We have six campuses in metropolitan and regional areas, each with advanced facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, laboratories, and areas that simulate real work environments.
Our state-of-the-art facilities include a fully-equipped emergency department and day surgery. This simulated hospital environment fully led by practicing registered nurses and midwives (clinicians), known as the Horizon Hospital and Health Service (HHHS), is where students can practise their skills with residents of our virtual health community, which is the only one of its kind in South Australia.
The HHHS is a fully equipped, state-of-the-art clinical learning environment populated by residents of our Horizon City and Community, a virtual health community which is unique to UniSA. It is designed to facilitate, enhance and support your understanding of real-world nursing practice. Residents of Horizon include interactive manikins each with their own persona, as well as real people acting as residents, who have their own personal stories, relationships and health histories.
Institution
