Description
ACU is the largest provider of nurses in Australia. Our close links with hospitals and health care partners guarantee clinical experience in diverse settings. The Bachelor of Nursing develops caring professional nurses who are proactive and adaptable, competent and ethical clinicians, and creative and critical thinkers.
Across the course theory will be consistently embedded in clinical practice through the inclusion of one Integrating Practice unit every semester. Clinical placement areas include aged care, community nursing, high dependency nursing, medical/surgical nursing, mental health, paediatrics, palliative care, and perioperative nursing. You may also take up the opportunity to engage with communities overseas and gain unique educational and cultural experiences working in care facilities in developing countries.
Pending meeting local registration requirements, Bachelor of Nursing graduates can pursue a range of careers as a Registered Nurse within the health care industry including:
- aged care nursing
- community care nursing
- medical/surgical nursing
- mental health nursing
- paediatric nursing
Course duration
3 years full-time or equivalent part-time.
Campus availability and study mode
Campus availability
- Ballarat (Attendance)
- Brisbane (Attendance)
- Canberra (Attendance)
- Melbourne (Attendance)
- North Sydney (Attendance)
Study mode definitions
Attendance: Face-to-face and/or via video conference, at an ACU campus or another location.
Multi-mode: A combination of Online and Attendance (including examinations, practicums, residentials, etc.).
Online: Fully online (including assessments).
Sample Course Map
| Year – Study Period | Unit 1 | Unit 2 | Unit 3 | Unit 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 - Semester 1 | HLSC120 Indigenous health and culture | HLSC122 Evidence for practice | NRSG138 Transition into nursing | NRSG139 Integrating practice 1: assessment in health |
| Year 1 - Semester 2 | BIOL121 Human biological Science 1 | UNCC100 Self and community: exploring the anatomy of modern society | HLSC111 The Person, health and wellbeing | NRSG140 Integrating practice 2 (Pre: NRSG139) |
| Year 2 - Semester 1 | BIOL122 Human biological science 2 (Pre: BIOL121) | NRSG263 Principles of nursing: mental health | NRSG258 Principles of nursing: surgical | NRSG264 Integrating practice 3 (Pre: NRSG140) |
| Year 2 - Semester 2 | NRSG265 Principles of nursing: medical | NRSG266 Principles of nursing: contexts of ageing | HLSC220 Health care ethics | NRSG267 Integrating practice 4 (Pre: NRSG140) |
| Year 3 - Semester 1 | UNCC300 Justice and change in a global world (Pre: UNCC100) | NRSG371 Building healthy communities (Pre: Completion of a minimum of 140 credit points) | NRSG372 Principles of nursing: chronic illness and disability (Pre: Completion of a minimum of 140 credit points) | NRSG373 Integrating practice 5 (Pre: NRSG264, NRSG267) |
| Year 3 - Semester 2 | NRSG374 Principles of nursing: a palliative approach (Pre: Completion of a minimum of 140 credit points) | NRSG375 Clinical leadership (Pre: Completion of a minimum of 180 credit points) | NRSG367 Transition to professional nursing (Pre: Completion of a minimum of 180 credit points) | NRSG376 Integrating practice 6 (Pre: NRSG373) |
'Pre:' – indicates a unit that must be completed before the next unit can be undertaken (prerequisite).
A blank cell indicates that there are no additional units required for that study period.
This is a sample program only and units will vary between states. Please refer to the handbook for the prerequisite units and the current listing.
Deferment, credit points & course units
Deferment
Deferment is available for one year. Find out more about deferment: Deferment Information.Credit Points
240
Course Units (Subjects)
Schedule of Unit OfferingsStart dates
- Semester 1 - February
- Semester 2 - To be advised
- Semester 1 - February
- Semester 2 - To be advised
- Semester 1 - February
- Semester 2 - To be advised
- Semester 1 - February
- Semester 2 - To be advised
- Semester 1 - February
- Semester 2 - To be advised
Course costs
- Average first year fee: $7035 Commonwealth Supported (indicative only; subject to passage of legislation)
Important Note on Fees
All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a full-time study load of 40 credit points (normally 4 units) per semester.
A student’s annual fee may vary in accordance with:
- the number of units studied per semester;
- the choice of major or specialisation; and
- elective units.
The University reviews fees annually.
Essential requirements for admission
An applicant must comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
All students need to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have completed the following prerequisites at year 12 level, or equivalent.
New South Wales and ACT
- Assumed knowledge: Nil
Queensland
- Prerequisites: English (4, SA).
Victoria
- Prerequisites: Units 3 and 4 – a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or at least 25 in English other than EAL.
*Disclaimer: The Course entry requirements above are for 2020 Admission. Refer to your relevant Tertiary Admission Centre website for future years' entry requirements.
Admission criteria
The table below shows the range of ATARs/OPs (excludes adjustment factors) and Selection Ranks (may include adjustment factors) achieved by students who were accepted into this course last year. These may vary from year to year. Learn more about admission to ACU.
ATAR/OP range
For those offered places in 2019
Student Profile
Breakdown of how students entered this course last year and in what numbers.
Further information
Inherent Requirements
There are essential components of a course or unit that demonstrate the capabilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of the course or unit. Learn more about inherent requirements and how they affect you, and explore the requirements for your course.
Applying for admission
Admission Pathways to this course
Admission Schemes
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Admission Program
- Community Achiever Program (CAP)
- ACU's Schools' Recommendation Program (SRP)
- Schools Recommendation Scheme (SRS) - NSW/ACT only
Adjustment Factors which may improve your Selection Rank
- Most applicants to undergraduate courses at ACU are eligible for adjustment factors – which can help improve your selection rank when applying for a degree. Your location, school or personal circumstances may make you eligible too. Learn more about the full list of available adjustments.
Work and Life Experience
- Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
- Work experience - A Selection Rank can be calculated based on your work experience - you need to document all of your experience and provide supporting documentation
If you have a Selection Rank but it's not enough for this course
- Complete 2 non-award individual UG units; the results attained for these units can then be converted to a Selection Rank
- Complete a VET qualification such as an AQF Certificate IV, Diploma or Advanced Diploma
- Commence another ACU Bachelor degree with a lower required Selection Rank, successfully complete 2 or more units, then apply for an internal transfer to this course. A new Selection Rank will be calculated from your results in the ACU units. Note - you may need to complete up to 8 units (equivalent to one year fulltime) and achieve more than a pass grade to gain entry to this course
Career paths
As a registered nurse graduates can pursue a career in a range of settings including medical/surgical nursing, paediatric nursing, aged care nursing, community care nursing, mental health nursing, and clinical education.
Professional experience
Students will undertake clinical placements as part of a variety of clinical units throughout the course in hospitals and community facilities.
As part of your course, you will be placed in a range of organisations to integrate the theory you learn with practical workplace experiences (placements). As part of your enrolment, you must complete the Faculty of Health Sciences pre-placement requirements. To ensure you meet these requirements you need to start as soon as possible. Visit ACU’s Work Integrated Learning (WIL) website www.wil.acu.edu.au to view your Pre-Placement Requirements checklist.
Uniforms
Students are required to purchase and wear an ACU student nurse uniform during clinical components of the course. Details regarding uniform purchase is available via ACU's Work Integrated Learning site www.wil.acu.edu.au.
Professional recognition
Eligible graduates can apply for registration as a nurse with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Please refer to the Registration Standards for Nursing and Midwifery on the AHPRA website.
English language requirements
Applicants for Nursing courses should carefully review the details outlined in Schedule 3, Section 3b of the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy to check how they must demonstrate their English Language Proficiency.
** Please note that from 2020 this course requires all applicants to provide evidence of English Language Proficiency which is above the ACU minimum. More detail is available in ACU's Admission to Coursework Programs Policy, Schedule 3, Section 3b. **
Pathways to further study
An Honours year is available to meritorious students, with a grade point average of 5.75, who meet the admission requirements for the Bachelor of Nursing (Honours).
The Faculty of Health Sciences also offers a suite of postgraduate coursework degrees in nursing. Specialties include mental health nursing, clinical nursing, clinical education, health administration as well as leadership and management in health care.
More course information
Before you can begin placements for this course, you must meet mandatory State or Territory legal and industry policy requirements. Comprehensive information about these requirements and the submission process of relevant documentation can be found here www.wil.acu.edu.au
Contacts for future students
Enquiries:
- 1300 ASK ACU (1300 275 228)
- E-mail: askacu@acu.edu.au
Description
ACU is the largest provider of nurses in Australia. Our close links with hospitals and health care partners guarantee clinical experience in diverse settings. The Bachelor of Nursing develops caring professional nurses who are proactive and adaptable, competent and ethical clinicians, and creative and critical thinkers.
Across the course theory will be consistently embedded in clinical practice through the inclusion of one Integrating Practice unit every semester. Clinical placement areas include aged care, community nursing, high dependency nursing, medical/surgical nursing, mental health, paediatrics, palliative care, and perioperative nursing. You may also take up the opportunity to engage with communities overseas and gain unique educational and cultural experiences working in care facilities in developing countries.
Pending meeting local registration requirements, Bachelor of Nursing graduates can pursue a range of careers as a Registered Nurse within the health care industry including:
- aged care nursing
- community care nursing
- medical/surgical nursing
- mental health nursing
- paediatric nursing
Course duration
3 years full-time or equivalent part-time.
Start dates and campus availability
- 10-Feb-2020 , 15-Feb-2021 , 07-Feb-2022
- 10-Feb-2020 , 15-Feb-2021 , 07-Feb-2022
- 15-Feb-2021 , 07-Feb-2022
- 15-Feb-2021 , 07-Feb-2022
- 15-Feb-2021 , 07-Feb-2022
Deferment, credit points & course units
Deferment
Yes. See Defer your offer.
Students with a Student Visa will need to complete the program in minimum duration, study at least one subject on-campus each semester and must not undertake more than 33% of the program online.
Credit Points
240Course Units (Subjects)
Schedule of Unit OfferingsCourse structure – 1st year
| Year – Study Period | Unit 1 | Unit 2 | Unit 3 | Unit 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 - Semester 1 | HLSC120 Indigenous health and culture | HLSC122 Evidence for practice | NRSG138 Transition into nursing | NRSG139 Integrating practice 1: assessment in health |
| Year 1 - Semester 2 | BIOL121 Human biological Science 1 | UNCC100 Self and community: exploring the anatomy of modern society | HLSC111 The Person, health and wellbeing | NRSG140 Integrating practice 2 (Pre: NRSG139) |
| Year 2 - Semester 1 | BIOL122 Human biological science 2 (Pre: BIOL121) | NRSG263 Principles of nursing: mental health | NRSG258 Principles of nursing: surgical | NRSG264 Integrating practice 3 (Pre: NRSG140) |
| Year 2 - Semester 2 | NRSG265 Principles of nursing: medical | NRSG266 Principles of nursing: contexts of ageing | HLSC220 Health care ethics | NRSG267 Integrating practice 4 (Pre: NRSG140) |
| Year 3 - Semester 1 | UNCC300 Justice and change in a global world (Pre: UNCC100) | NRSG371 Building healthy communities (Pre: Completion of a minimum of 140 credit points) | NRSG372 Principles of nursing: chronic illness and disability (Pre: Completion of a minimum of 140 credit points) | NRSG373 Integrating practice 5 (Pre: NRSG264, NRSG267) |
| Year 3 - Semester 2 | NRSG374 Principles of nursing: a palliative approach (Pre: Completion of a minimum of 140 credit points) | NRSG375 Clinical leadership (Pre: Completion of a minimum of 180 credit points) | NRSG367 Transition to professional nursing (Pre: Completion of a minimum of 180 credit points) | NRSG376 Integrating practice 6 (Pre: NRSG373) |
'Pre:' – indicates a unit that must be completed before the next unit can be undertaken (prerequisite).
A blank cell indicates that there are no additional units required for that study period.
This is a sample program only and units will vary between states. Please refer to the handbook for the prerequisite units and the current listing.
Course costs
- Unit Fee: $3635.00 (2020)
- Average first year fee: $29080.00 (2020)
- Estimated Total Cost: $87240.00 (2020)
Important Note on Fees
The Tuition fees quoted above are for commencing students in the current year who undertake a normal full-time load. The Unit Fee is based on a 10cp unit. Fees are reviewed annually.
Tuition fees for continuing students may increase by up to 3 percent each year for the minimum duration of the course as provided on your electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCOE). Students who continue to study beyond the minimum duration will have the relevant annual commencing rate applied to their fees for subsequent study periods.
Essential requirements for admission
Applicants require the equivalent of an Australian Year 12 Certificate and must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
Applicants for Nursing courses should carefully review the details outlined in Schedule 3, Section 3b of the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy to check how they must demonstrate their English Language Proficiency.
Applying for Admission
How to Apply
Information on the application procedure.
- International Students Apply Now
- International students undertaking an Australian Year 12 qualification should apply through the relevant tertiary admissions centre:
- NSW & ACT
- Apply through UAC
- Queensland
- Apply through QTAC
- Victoria
- Apply through VTAC
Inherent Requirements
There are essential components of a course or unit that demonstrate the capabilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of the course or unit. Learn more about inherent requirements and how they affect you, and explore the requirements for your course.
Career paths
As a registered nurse graduates can pursue a career in a range of settings including medical/surgical nursing, paediatric nursing, aged care nursing, community care nursing, mental health nursing, and clinical education.
Professional experience
Students will undertake clinical placements as part of a variety of clinical units throughout the course in hospitals and community facilities.
As part of your course, you will be placed in a range of organisations to integrate the theory you learn with practical workplace experiences (placements). As part of your enrolment, you must complete the Faculty of Health Sciences pre-placement requirements. To ensure you meet these requirements you need to start as soon as possible. Visit ACU’s Work Integrated Learning (WIL) website www.wil.acu.edu.au to view your Pre-Placement Requirements checklist.
Uniforms
Students are required to purchase and wear an ACU student nurse uniform during clinical components of the course. Details regarding uniform purchase is available via ACU's Work Integrated Learning site www.wil.acu.edu.au.
Professional recognition
Eligible graduates can apply for registration as a nurse with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Please refer to the Registration Standards for Nursing and Midwifery on the AHPRA website.
English language requirements
Applicants for Nursing courses should carefully review the details outlined in Schedule 3, Section 3b of the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy to check how they must demonstrate their English Language Proficiency.
** Please note that from 2020 this course requires all applicants to provide evidence of English Language Proficiency which is above the ACU minimum. More detail is available in ACU's Admission to Coursework Programs Policy, Schedule 3, Section 3b. **
Pathways to further study
An Honours year is available to meritorious students, with a grade point average of 5.75, who meet the admission requirements for the Bachelor of Nursing (Honours).
The Faculty of Health Sciences also offers a suite of postgraduate coursework degrees in nursing. Specialties include mental health nursing, clinical nursing, clinical education, health administration as well as leadership and management in health care.
More course information
Before you can begin placements for this course, you must meet mandatory State or Territory legal and industry policy requirements. Comprehensive information about these requirements and the submission process of relevant documentation can be found here www.wil.acu.edu.au
