Bachelor of Nursing

Victoria University

About

Studying nursing at VU will equip you with a broad set of skills to work as a general or mental health nurse.

This course will open doors to a wide range of career opportunities in healthcare.

VU’s Bachelor of Nursing will ensure that you have sound scientific knowledge and skills, as well as hands-on experience.

You'll participate in simulation learning using modern technology, practising your skills in a safe environment before you work with real patients.

Your practical experience alongside expert clinicians and nurses will have you ready to register and work as a Division 1 Registered Nurse.

You'll join a cohort of VU graduates known for their extensive practical experience.

If you have great communication skills, show initiative, and are patient and tactful when dealing with people from all backgrounds and cultures, nursing could be the career for you.

This course is pending accreditation with ANMAC and approval by the NMBA.

Structure

To attain the Bachelor of Nursing students will be required to complete:

  • 288 credit points of Core studies.

Course structure and units

Year 1, Semester 1

  • Professional Nurse or Midwife Unit code HNB1001 Credits12
  • Anatomy and Physiology 1 Unit code HBM1001 Credits12
  • Foundations in Nursing 1 Unit code HNB1102 Credits12
  • Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Unit code AEK1203 Credits12

Year 1, Semester 2

  • Anatomy and Physiology 2 Unit code HBM1202 Credits12
  • Foundations in Nursing 2 Unit code HNB1205 Credits12
  • Primary Health Care Across the Lifespan Unit code HNB1002 Credits12
  • Professional Experience Placement 1 Nursing Unit code HNB1003 Credits12

Year 2, Semester 1

  • Contemporary Nursing A Unit code HNB2001 Credits12
  • Contemporary Nursing and Mental Health A Unit code HNB2002 Credits12
  • Contemporary Nursing B Unit code HNB2003 Credits12
  • Professional Experience Placement 2 Nursing Unit code HNB2004 Credits12

Year 2, Semester 2

  • Contemporary Nursing and Mental Health B Unit code HNB2005 Credits12
  • Professional Experience Placement 3 Nursing Mental Health Unit code HNB2006 Credits12
  • Research and Evidence Based Practice Unit code HNB2007 Credits12
  • Contemporary Nursing C Unit code HNB2008 Credits12

Year 3, Semester 1

  • Nursing in Specialty Areas Unit code HNB3001 Credits12
  • Professional Experience Placement 4 Nursing Unit code HNB3002 Credits12
  • Transition to Nursing Practice Unit code HNB3003 Credits12
  • Nursing and Complex Care Unit code HNB3141 Credits12

Year 3, Semester 2

  • Nursing for Chronic Illness and Continuing Care Unit code HNB3004 Credits12
  • Interprofessional Practice Unit code HIP3001 Credits12
  • Consolidation of Nursing Practice Unit code HNB3005 Credits24

Entry requirements

Victoria University is committed to providing a transparent admissions process. Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.

Applicants for this course will need to have met the academic requirements and prerequisites for this course outlined below.

Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry into this course. Past academic performance may be considered.

Inherent Requirements

'Inherent requirements' are the abilities, attributes, skills and behaviours needed to meet the learning outcomes of a course. These should be met while preserving the academic integrity of the university’s learning, assessment and accreditation processes.

You need to be able to demonstrate that you hold, or can acquire, the inherent requirements for this degree.

We may be able to make reasonable adjustments to help you manage circumstances that impact your studies – provided these don't fundamentally change the academic integrity of the degree.

Read more about inherent requirements.

Essential requirements for admission

Police check: Students must complete a National Police Records or Fit-2-Work check on admission to the course and on an annual basis.

Working with Children Check: Students must complete a Working with Children Check on admission to the course.

Specified DoH Immunisations with serology testing valid for completion of course. Flu vax to be completed yearly.

Fitness for Practice: Students must be prepared to declare their fitness for practice on admission and prior to undertaking hospital/agency placements by completing the Fitness for Practice Declaration Form on inPlace.

The University has a duty of care to ensure that students who undertake professional experience placements are both physically and mentally able, in a sustained manner, to engage in the experience.

Early identification of fitness to practice concerns allows the University to discuss with students potential reasonable adjustments to assist them to undertake their placement. Any agreed adjustments must not compromise the safety and wellbeing of the student and must ensure safety of the public.

For further information refer to the <a href="/%3Ca%20href%3D"https://www.vu.edu.au/study-at-vu/how-to-apply/inherent-requirements">https://www.vu.edu.au/study-at-vu/how-to-apply/inherent-requirements" target="_blank">Nursing Inherent Requirements</a>.

Admission criteria

The minimum criteria for admission varies depending on your education background. If you’re not sure which criteria applies to you, use the help tool on this page or make an enquiry and we can assist.

Applicants with recent secondary education (within the last 2 years)

  • Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (e.g. VCE) or
  • an Australian or overseas equivalent or
  • an International Baccalaureate (IB).

Importance of ATAR for this course

ATAR+

We consider both ATAR and other criteria

NA

ATAR is not a consideration. We use other criteria

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (VCE or equivalent) including Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or 25 in any other English.AND Units 1 and 2: satisfactory completion in two units (any study combination) of any Mathematics or Units 3 and 4: any MathematicsANDSuccessful completion of a non-academic attributes assessment, for example, the CASPer test or equivalent. CASPer is an online test designed to assess an applicant's personal and professional attributes to support admission to health and medicine disciplines. Please ALSO refer to ADDITIONAL INFORMATION section regarding English language skills registration standard for domestic students.

Subject adjustments

ATAR profile

An indicative ATAR will be available after the 2019/2020 selection period.

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

  • Special Entry Access Scheme (external link) (SEAS) for VTAC applicants.
  • Special consideration for direct applicants.

Applicants with vocational education and training (VET/TAFE) study

This information is for people who have completed an accredited award at an Australian Registered Training Organisation.

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Advanced Diploma or Diploma (or equivalent) in Nursing, Health Sciences or similar.ANDSuccessful completion of a non-academic attributes assessment, for example, the CASPer test or equivalent. CASPer is an online test designed to assess an applicant's personal and professional attributes to support admission to health and medicine disciplines. Please ALSO refer to ADDITIONAL INFORMATION section regarding English language skills registration standard for domestic students.

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

  • Special Entry Access Scheme (external link) (SEAS) for VTAC applicants.
  • Special consideration for direct applicants.

Applicants with higher education study

This information is for people whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a higher education course.

Admission criteria

Completed at least one semester of an Australian Higher Education award (or equivalent) in a Health Sciences related discipline.ANDSuccessful completion of a non-academic attributes assessment, for example, the CASPer test or equivalent. CASPer is an online test designed to assess an applicant's personal and professional attributes to support admission to health and medicine disciplines. Please ALSO refer to ADDITIONAL INFORMATION section regarding English language skills registration standard for domestic students.

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

  • Special Entry Access Scheme (external link) (SEAS) for VTAC applicants.
  • Special consideration for direct applicants.

Applicants with work & life experience

This information is for applicants who left secondary school more than two years ago and who have not undertaken VET or higher education study since then.

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate more than two years ago including Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or 25 in any other English. AND Units 1 and 2: satisfactory completion in two units (any study combination) of any Mathematics or Units 3 and 4: any Mathematics.ANDSuccessful completion of a non-academic attributes assessment, for example, the CASPer test or equivalent. CASPer is an online test designed to assess an applicant's personal and professional attributes to support admission to health and medicine disciplines. Please ALSO refer to ADDITIONAL INFORMATION section regarding English language skills registration standard for domestic students.

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

  • Special Entry Access Scheme (external link) (SEAS) for VTAC applicants.
  • Special consideration for direct applicants.

Additional information

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR ALL DOMESTIC STUDENTS ON NURSING AND MIDWIFERY BOARD OF AUSTRALIA (NMBA) ENGLISH LANGUAGE SKILLS REGISTRATION STANDARDS Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they meet the requirements of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia’s (NMBA) English language skills registration standard. Proof of this English language competency can be achieved via ONE of the following three pathways:

Primary Language Pathway

Applicants must be able to demonstrate that their primary language is English and they have satisfactorily completed at least six years of primary and secondary education taught and assessed in English in either Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom or United States of America, including at least two years between years 7 and 12.

Extended Education Pathway

Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have satisfactorily completed three years (full-time equivalent) of education taught and assessed in English, in either Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom or United States of America.

Note: It is a requirement of the NMBA English language skills registration standard, for registration as an Enrolled Nurse via this pathway, that five years (full-time equivalent) continuous education in total is completed.

English Language Test Pathway

Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have achieved the required minimum scores in one of the following English language tests and meet the requirements for test results specified in NMBA’s English language skills registration standard: • IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 7.0 (with no individual band less than 7.0); OR • OET: minimum score of B in each of the four bands; OR • TOEFL iBT: minimum overall score of 94 (with minimum score of 24 in listening and reading, 27 in writing and 23 in speaking) OR • PTE (A): minimum score of 65 (with no communication band less than 65)

Applicants can obtain further information about the Standard at: http://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Registration-Standards/English-l... (external link)

There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.

Pathways from VU courses

If you have completed any of the following course(s), you will be guaranteed a place in this course. In some cases you may receive credit for your previous study, reducing the time it takes to complete your course.

You will be credited for up to 96 credit points of study.

You will be guaranteed entry only.

You will be guaranteed entry only.

Find out more about pathways and credits.

Credit for skills and past study

If you have completed study with another university or institution and believe you are eligible to receive credit for skills and past study, you can apply for advanced standing.

Applications for advanced standing can be made after a discussion with your course coordinator or academic adviser.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

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  1. Exhibit values, behaviours, attributes and professional knowledge congruent with quality, safe, ethical, legal and culturally appropriate provision of nursing practice in a range of health care settings across the domains of physical health, mental health and aged care to meet the Registered Nurse Standards of Practice;  
  2. Integrate knowledge of anatomy and physiology with scientific concepts underpinning nursing practice using clinical reasoning and problem-solving skills;  
  3. Contextualise comprehensive health assessment techniques to evaluate physical, psychosocial, sociological, spiritual, cultural and age appropriate elements taking a person-centred approach within an interprofessional framework whilst exhibiting accountability consistent with own nursing scope of practice;  
  4. Plan, implement and evaluate contemporary nursing practice within the context of evidence-based recommendations across the lifespan in primary, secondary and tertiary contexts in response to regional, national and global health priorities;  
  5. Exemplify cultural responsiveness, sensitivity and inclusive practice and promote the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and culturally diverse communities;  
  6. Exemplify therapeutic and interpersonal skills using face-to-face and digital health communication within professional nursing practice; and  
  7. Critically reflect on own nursing practice to identify professional needs and opportunities, to inform development, and support evaluation of self-directed and lifelong learning.  

Institution