Bachelor of Nursing (Graduate Entry) - prior to 31 December 2020

Admission requirements

Applicants must hold a Bachelor degree or equivalent qualification in an area other than nursing or a degree in nursing that does not lead to registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).

All applicants must demonstrate that they have completed the equivalent of 9 units of study focussed on an understanding of body structures and function such as human biology, physiology and anatomy.

Applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency as specified by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) English language skills registration standard.

Course aims

The Bachelor of Nursing (Graduate Entry) is an entry-to-practice course for students who hold an existing degree or approved diploma in a field other than nursing. It aims to build upon existing qualifications to develop a person-centred and evidence-based health professional who has well-developed clinical reasoning skills and is reflective about their practice. The course will provide opportunities for students to develop new skills and knowledge aimed at equipping them to provide relationship based, ethically responsible care, adhering to safety and quality standards for people across the lifespan and from diverse populations and care contexts locally, nationally and globally. Students will become confident to work in therapeutic, culturally safe, and professional relationships with individuals, families, communities and fellow health professionals to collaboratively and responsively assess, plan, implement and evaluate care. Students will be provided with the learning opportunities they need to practice in the range of healthcare, technology, and policy environments, meet the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Board Registered Nurse standards for practice, and achieve the Flinders University graduate qualities.

Learning outcomes

Graduates of the course are expected to build upon existing academic qualifications to be able to:

apply knowledge of human biology, pathophysiology, technology, and social and nursing sciences to assess, plan, implement and evaluate nursing care as a beginning practitioner
apply the guiding principles of ‘Fundamentals of Care’ to deliver collaborative, relationship-based, and interprofessional care that is person-centred and consistent with safety and quality standards for health care practice
integrate knowledge of nursing, health policy, legal and ethical frameworks to provide equitable and ethically responsible care for people from diverse populations and care contexts locally, nationally and globally
demonstrate caring behaviours that are applicable across the lifespan and informed by knowledge of the geographical, cultural and sociodemographic context in which care is being delivered
integrate knowledge and experiences to develop clinical reasoning skills and to critically reflect on clinical practice
apply an evidence-based approach and engage in life-long learning to enhance nursing practice and develop and promote the profession
recognise the importance of history, and culture and apply knowledge and understanding of the impact of colonisation on the cultural, social and spiritual lives, and health status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and Indigenous people globally
demonstrate knowledge, skills and professional behaviours that are consistent with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia Registered nurse standards for practice, international nursing standards and Flinders University graduate qualities

Program of study

To qualify for the Bachelor of Nursing (Graduate Entry), a student must complete 72 units with a grade of Pass or NGP or better in each topic.

Except with permission of the College the course must be completed within eight consecutive semesters.

The award of a grade of Fail (F) in the same topic on more than one occasion may constitute prima facie evidence of unsatisfactory progress for the purpose of the University's Policy on Student Progress.

A student who fails the practice component of any topic will receive a Fail grade for that topic. A student may at any time be removed from a professional experience placement for unprofessional behaviour and/or unsafe practice.

(Note, PEP refers to professional experience placement.)

Core - Year 1 topics

36 units comprising

NURS1007 Dimensions of Physical and Mental Health (4.5 units)
NURS1008 Indigenous Health and Cultural Safety (4.5 units)
NURS2003 Pathophysiology and Pharmacology (4.5 units)
NURS2005 Managing Care in Different Settings (PEP) (9 units)
NURS2006 Clinical Governance and Practice Improvement (4.5 units)
NURS2010 Managing Care in Professional Practice (PEP) (9 units)

Core - Year 2 topics

36 units comprising

NURS3001 Dynamics of Practice 2 (4.5 units)
NURS3002 Advanced Decision-Making and Practice (PEP) (9 units)
NURS3003 Dynamics of Practice 3 (4.5 units)
NURS3004 Transition to Professional Practice 1 (4.5 units)
NURS3005 Transition to Professional Practice 2 (PEP) (9 units)
NURS3006 Transition to Professional Practice 3 (4.5 units)

Honours

Enrolment in an honours program may be offered to graduates who meet certain academic criteria and subject to the College being able to provide appropriate resources and staff to supervise their program of study.

A student who has completed all the requirements of the Bachelor of Nursing degree, or an equivalent, may be accepted as a candidate for the honours degree providing they have achieved a minimum GPA of 5 in their completed studies

To qualify for the honours degree, a student must satisfactorily complete 36 units of study within one year full-time or two years part-time.

See also the Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) course rule.

Every effort has been made to ensure the information published on the Course Rule pages is accurate at the time of publication. Flinders University reserves the right to amend its curriculum without prior notice, and will update the Course Rules to reflect any amendments at the earliest opportunity.