Undergraduate courses and subjects 2000

Bachelor of Nursing

General information
Admission and selection
- Entry requirements
Curriculum
Clinical practice
Course structure

General information

Course code: 0727 · Gippsland and Peninsula on-campus study only

Admission and selection

Entry requirements

· satisfactory completion of the VCE including units 3 and 4 Mathematics (any) and a study score of at least 20 in English
· articulation with TAFE - applicants who have satisfactorily completed the Certificate IV in Health (Nursing) may also apply for credit for some first-year nursing subjects (up to 24 credit points)
· comparable qualifications - applicants may be admitted to the course on the basis of qualifications deemed to be the equivalent of the VCE. This includes qualifications at either secondary or tertiary level obtained interstate or overseas or TAFE qualifications. Proof of a pass in English is required for students with overseas qualifications from non-English speaking backgrounds.
· a pass in a minimum of two university subjects, for example by open learning (OLA) or 'Single subject enrolment' offered by the School of Nursing

All applicants must apply through:
Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC)
40 Park Street
South Melbourne, Victoria 3205
Telephone: 1300 364 133
Infoline: 1902 241 114

The Bachelor of Nursing program has a core curriculum that is offered at both the Gippsland and Peninsula campuses.
The course is offered over three academic years of full-time study or on a part-time basis (daytime classes only). The Bachelor of Nursing will be awarded on completion of the course and will lead to eligibility for general nurse registration (Division 1) with the Nurses Board of Victoria.
The course aims to prepare graduates with the personal and professional qualities required for future nursing practice. To achieve this, students will develop nursing competencies related to health promotion, health breakdown and rehabilitative care.
Students are expected to develop skills of critical analysis in relation to the theory and practice of nursing, and also develop skills according to accepted standards of nursing practice.

Clinical practice

In the clinical setting, the student will have an opportunity to apply theory to practice under supervision. Clinical experience is obtained in a wide variety of health agencies throughout the Gippsland and Melbourne metropolitan regions.
Clinical experience makes up 50 per cent of the Bachelor of Nursing course. Generally speaking a student on clinical experience may commence with a 7 am start at the venue or an afternoon shift with a 10 pm finish and work a supervised unpaid 37.5-hour week. Attendance is mandatory for the clinical component of each subject. Make-up for time missed will be arranged in consultation with the clinical coordinator.
It is the student's responsibility to ensure supervision of practice. Students are supernumerary to health workers in clinical centres and on field experience. They are learners primarily in all settings. The attending students are reminded that they bear a responsibility to the people entrusted to their care. It is vital that any information the student has access to remains confidential. At all times students are responsible and accountable for their own actions.
While in the clinical area, students are reminded that they are guests of the agency and are expected to behave and dress in a professional manner.

Police checks

Organisations which host clinical placements may require students to have obtained a police check regarding their suitability to undertake such placements. All enrolled and prospective students are advised that they may be required to obtain and pay for a police check prior to undertaking the clinical placements in their course.

Drugs

Students should be aware of their legal position regarding the administration and storage of drugs. In addition, it is the policy of the campus that where drugs are required to be checked by two people prior to administration under the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981 (Victoria), the student and supervisor (clinical teacher or registered nurse) are considered as one person.
Where a student's skill or knowledge is found to be inadequate, access to the clinical component of the subject will be denied.

Expenses

Students are responsible for all arrangements and expenses related to travel and accommodation for clinical experience.
Uniforms and accessories are required for clinical placements and students will be notified regarding purchase arrangements upon commencement.

Vaccinations

It is required that students obtain relevant vaccinations prior to clinical placements. Arrangements regarding serological screening and vaccination will be organised on commencement. Students should be aware of the drug administration policy relevant to the particular year of study.