Undergraduate - CourseBachelor of Nursing

This course prepares graduates for increasingly complex health care situations in Australia and internationally. Graduates will possess attributes that prepare them as competent beginning-level registered nurses who can provide leadership and care across the age continuum, and have the scope of practice to provide care in multiple settings, including acute care, primary health care and health promotion.

Students will incrementally develop knowledge for the safe practice of clinical skills in a variety of health care facilities and services over the course of their studies, and develop a broad range of knowledge in relevant disciplines, enabling them to critically analyse health care situations, concepts and perspectives.

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 7, the Bologna Cycle 1 and Monash Graduate AttributesAustralian Qualifications Framework level 7, the Bologna Cycle 1 and Monash Graduate Attributes (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/alignmentofoutcomes.html).

Upon successful completion of this course it is expected that graduates will be able to:

• meet currently accepted standards of nursing practice as set down in the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council (ANMC) National Competencies for the registered nurse
• provide holistic nursing care as a first-level practitioner in a variety of health care settings compatible with the broad health care needs and goals of Australia's multi-cultural society
• encompass caring as a foundational concept for nursing practice
• demonstrate effective communication in the health care setting
• practice safely and maintain legal and ethical standards of practice
• identify the health care needs and problems of individuals and groups of people in a variety of settings
• set priorities in respect of health care needs and problems and make referrals when appropriate
• plan, implement and evaluate care activities which encourage individuals and groups to achieve independence or self-help in achieving and maintaining optimal levels of health
• demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of political, historical, cultural, social and professional forces which have influenced nursing in the past, and which provide the potential for change within nursing
• understand the scientific principles underlying safe physical care of the client
• appreciate the importance of participating in further education
• understand and appreciate the importance of nursing research and critically analyse and apply research findings to nursing practice
• develop an ability to work within a team and adopt a collaborative approach to health care, both at an interpersonal and an interdisciplinary level
• participate in quality improvement programs to ensure quality care practices
• participate in health teaching to individuals and groups.

Students who have successfully completed a TAFE:

• Certificate IV in Health (Nursing) may apply for credit for up to 24 credit points in the first year of the course
• Diploma of Nursing may apply for credit for up to 48 credit points in the first year of the course.

Students who have completed or commenced other relevant studies may also be considered for credit.

Special requirements

Students must refer to the information available on the special requirements outlined below. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure they have the correct documentation.

Police checks

Students must have a current Police check regarding their suitability to undertake placements. Refer to the faculty's police checkspolice checks (http://www.med.monash.edu.au/current/police-checks.html) webpage.

Working with Children checks

Students must have a current Working with Children check regarding their suitability to undertake placements. Refer to the faculty's working with children checksworking with children checks (http://www.med.monash.edu.au/current/wwc-check.html) webpage.

Immunisation and infection requirements

In accordance with the National Health and Medical Research Council recommendations, this course requires that students comply with the faculty's Immunisation and vaccination policy and proceduresImmunisation and vaccination policy and procedures (http://www.med.monash.edu.au/current/immunisation/). These are designed to provide maximum protection against the increased risk of some vaccine preventable diseases for students, patients and workers in a health care setting.

This policy, and the associated procedures require that students have certain specified vaccinations, and have their blood borne virus status determined, before they commence a clinical placement. Students who have not complied with this policy may not be able to undertake clinical placement, with the attendant academic consequences.

Prospective students are provided detailed information on the effect of blood borne virus infection on the scope of practice of health care workers. Students who test positive to a blood borne virus (including HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C) will be required to consult a specialist medical practitioner approved by the faculty to provide advice on any necessary restrictions on work practices to protect patients and others from infection.

Drug Administration Policy

Students should be aware of their legal responsibilities regarding the administration and storage of drugs in keeping with the Drugs Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981 (Vic) and the Drugs Poisons and Controlled Substances Regulations 2006 (Vic). The School of Nursing and Midwifery have formulated a policy and students should be aware of the drug administration policy relevant to their particular year of study. Refer to the faculty's clinical guidelinesclinical guidelines (http://www.med.monash.edu.au/nursing/current.html) webpage

Clinical practice units

This course requires students to undertake off-campus clinical placements. In the clinical setting students will have an opportunity to apply theory to practice under supervision. Attendance is mandatory for the clinical component of each unit. All students in this course will be required to attend a variety of clinical placements. Travel to metropolitan and rural sites may be required. Clinical experience makes up approximately 50 per cent of the Bachelor of Nursing course. Clinical placements begin in the first year of the degree and will increase in duration and complexity as the student progresses.

Generally speaking, students on clinical experience will take on shift work, including weekend shifts and night duty, and work a supervised, unpaid 40 hour week. Make-up for time missed will be arranged in consultation with the clinical coordinator and unit coordinator on receipt of a medical certificate or other acceptable documentation.

A student may be denied access to or be withdrawn from a clinical practicum if required skills and knowledge are deemed inadequate, or on other grounds deemed appropriate by the head of school.

Clinical expenses

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

Successful completion of the course will lead to eligibility for registration as a registered nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia

This course consists of 20 compulsory units comprising 18 core units, many of which have clinical practice requirements, and two health-related electives.

First year

Semester one

• BMA1901 Human structure and function
• NUR1001 Professional and scholarly communication
• NUR1010 Foundations of nursing and midwifery practice
• NUR1105 Foundations of leadership in practice

Semester two

• BMA1912 Human bioscience in nursing
• NUR1102 Health assessment in clinical practice
• NUR1202 Legal issues and concepts
• NUR1205 Population and socio-cultural health research utilisation

Second year

Semester one

• NUR2106 Integrated nursing practice 1
• NUR2107 Person centred mental health care
• elective

Semester two

• NUR2206 Integrated nursing practice 2
• NUR2207 Mental health clinical practice
• elective

Third year

Semester one

• NUR3001 Evidence based health care
• NUR3002 Integrated nursing practice 3
• NUR3003 Education for clinical practice
• NUR3006 Diversity in healthcare practice

Semester two

• NUR3004 Preparing for practice
• NUR3005 Chronic illness management in primary care

Suitable elective units can be identified using the browse units toolbrowse units tool (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/units/search) in the current edition of the Handbook. Note: Some units may require permission from the owning faculty. The level of the unit is indicated by the first number in the unit code; undergraduate units are those that commence with the numbers 1-3.

• Nursing and midwifery

Bachelor of Nursing