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Monash University

Bachelor of Nursing and Rural Health Practice

Course code: 3558 ~ Course abbreviation: BNRurHlthPrac ~ Total credit points required: 192 ~ 4 years full-time, 8 years part-time ~ Managing faculty: Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Study mode and course location

On-campus (Gippsland, Mildura)

Course description

The course aims to comprehensively prepare graduates to a standard consistent with the identified needs for establishing and sustaining a career in rural nursing practice. The first two years of the course are identical to the Bachelor of Nursing. The last two years prepare students to function safely and effectively in a variety of rural practice settings. Students will develop a broader range of primary assessment skills, and advanced generalist practice skills consistent with addressing rural health crises including medical, obstetric and mental health emergencies, rural road trauma, and farming and industrial accidents.

Students will develop nursing competencies related to health promotion, health breakdown and rehabilitative care and expand their ability to plan and provide health education and health screening. They will extend their insight into the implications of multidisciplinary collaborative care, rural health issues and practice, and the health problems, patterns and needs of diverse population groups, including indigenous Australians.

The course addresses the multicultural complexity of Australian society and current socio-political and economic issues affecting nursing and health care.

Course objectives

On completion of the course students are expected to: meet standards of nursing practice as identified in the ANMC National Competencies for nurses in Australia; provide holistic, family-centred nursing care as a first-level practitioner in a variety of health care settings compatible with the health care needs of Australia's diverse society including Indigenous Australians; implement appropriate problem solving, clinical reasoning and research evidence as a basis for delivering high quality generalist and advanced generalist nursing care; practice safely in a manner that reflects the ethical and legal standards of the profession; demonstrate ability to communicate effectively, work collaboratively and refer appropriately within the health team; participate in health teaching as a means to encouraging independence, preventing disease, and maintaining optimal levels of health and wellbeing; appreciate the impact that rural contexts have on the nature and availability of rural health services; provide basic counselling support that addresses the needs of rural people; appreciate the dynamics of rural health practice that impact on working and living in a rural community; demonstrate an understanding of socio-political, historical, cultural, and professional forces which influence nursing and change in health care; and appreciate the importance of lifelong learning.

Special requirements

Police Checks and Working with Children Checks

Organisations that host clinical and community placements require students to have current Police and Working with Children checks regarding their suitability to undertake such placements. All enrolled and prospective students are advised that they will be required to obtain Police and Working with Children checks prior to undertaking their course. Working with Children checks are valid for five years and are available free. Police checks must be applied and paid for annually. However, in some community partnered programs, there may be a requirement to have a police check renewed every six months.

Drugs Administration Policy

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), and Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Regulations 1995; the student and supervisor (clinical teacher or registered nurse) are considered as one person. Students should be aware of the drug administration policy relevant to the particular year of study.

Clinical 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 Policy

Students are required to obtain relevant vaccinations prior to clinical placements. Arrangements regarding serological screening and vaccination will be organised on commencement.

Course structure

Clinical experience makes up fifty percent of the Bachelor Nursing and Rural Health Practice course. In the clinical setting, the student will have an opportunity to apply theory to practice under supervision. Clinical practice experience commences in the first semester of the course and increases progressively in duration.

Students attend a broad range of areas including medical/surgical, aged care, paediatrics, mental health, operating theatre, accident and emergency, intensive care, community health, multidisciplinary care and midwifery. These clinical experiences are under the supervision of academic staff from the school, clinicians and approved clinical teachers.

Generally speaking, a student on clinical experience may commence with a 7am start at the venue, an afternoon shift with a 10pm finish, weekend shifts and night duty and work a supervised 32-40 hour week. Attendance is mandatory for the clinical component of each unit. Make-up for time missed will be arranged in consultation with the clinical coordinator on receipt of a medical certificate.

Course requirements

To qualify for the Bachelor of Nursing and Rural Health Practice, students must satisfactorily complete the following units.

First year

First semester
  • NUR1001 Professional communication
  • NUR1003 Nursing, society and culture
  • NUR1101 Perspectives of health and wellness
  • HSC1301 Human structure and function 1
Second semester
  • NUR1102 Health assessment in clinical practice
  • NUR1202 Legal issues and concepts
  • HSC1302 Human structure and function 2
  • SRH2002 Indigenous health and well-being

Second year

First semester
  • NUR2001 Evidence based health care
  • NUR2002 Nursing practice in context 1
  • NUR2003 Contexts of health care
Second semester
  • NUR2004 Nursing practice in context 2
  • NUR2104 Mental health practice
  • Elective

Third year

First semester
  • NUR3002 Nursing practice in context 3
  • NUR3003 Education in health practice
  • NUR3104 Mental health practice 2
  • SRH3001 Rural health issues 1: Health in the rural context
Second semester
  • NUR3005 Chronicity in health care
  • NUR3009 Transition to rural nursing practice

Fourth year

First semester
  • NUR4009 Collaborative health care
  • SRH4102 Rural health issues 2: Rural health policy and practice
  • SRH4101 Counselling for rural practice
Second semester
  • NUR4010 Rural health emergencies
  • SRH4103 Rural health issues 3: The dynamics of rural health practice
  • Elective

Professional recognition

The Bachelor of Nursing and Rural Health Practice will be awarded on completion of the course. Students having satisfactorily completed three years of this course and the requirements for the Bachelor of Nursing will be eligible for general nurse registration (division 1) with the Nurses Board of Victoria.

Contact details

Telephone: +61 3 9902 6454, email: nursing.enquiries@med.monash.edu.au or visit http://www.med.monash.edu.au/nursing