Bachelor of Nursing

This course prepares graduates for eligibility to apply for registration throughout Australia as a registered nurse.

The focus of the course is on inquiry-based learning, critical thinking and reflective practice in relation to the theory and practice of nursing in health and health breakdown across the lifespan.

Using a primary health care framework, students study the application of physical and behavioural sciences to nursing;

inquiry and evidence-based practice principles and utilisation within nursing;

nursing care of individuals, families and groups from diverse backgrounds across the lifespan.

The acquisition of nursing knowledge and skills occurs initially in campus-based simulated clinical practice settings and consolidation occurs as students undertake clinical placements in a variety of health care settings.

Prospective students should be aware that full disclosure of any issues of impairment or misconduct is a declaration requirement when applying for registration as a registered nurse.

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 240 credit points including the units listed in the recommended sequence below.

Campbelltown, Hawkesbury, Liverpool and Parramatta campuses

Full-time

And one elective

Elective Unit

The elective unit in the Bachelor of Nursing may be chosen from across the University, provided that unit pre-requisites are met, space is available and students are able to meet all scheduled activities without compromising any nursing unit requirements.

The following are elective units in the Nursing discipline area which are not listed elsewhere in the Handbook. Some of these units are open to students from across the University provided that prerequisites are met and space is available.

Professional Practice Experience

The Professional Practice Experience is the foundation for student learning in the course. It consists of two major learning contexts for students: professional practice and simulation. Professional practice in the health care sector may take place in any level of the health service appropriate to the focus for the specific Professional Practice Experience unit, for example aged care facilities, hospitals, General Practitioner practices, community health teams. This environment is essential for providing students complexity of the nursing experience, the ability to apply learning in situations involving ill persons, and socialises students into the work domain.

Simulation is a teaching and learning strategy where aspects of the professional practice environment, such as a hospital ward or patient, are artificially created on campus to enable students to learn in a safe, non-threatening environment. Clinical Practice Units, simulated professional practice environments, will be used to allow students to undertake learning activities related to all core nursing skills such as administering medications and monitoring a patient’s condition. The School has a wide range of simulation equipment and dedicated high fidelity simulation rooms on each campus.

The percentage of time spent by students in each context will vary depending on the stage of the student in the course, the theoretical knowledge already acquired and the stage of competency development. For example at the beginning of the course more hours will be spent in the simulation context than in the health care sector. As the course progresses there is a scaling up of hours spent in the health care sector with fewer hours being spent in the simulation context. In the final session of third year a significant proportion of knowledge and skills consolidation will occur primarily in a clinical practice environment.