Course summary
Southern Cross University’s nursing degree provides a combination of coursework and clinical experiences to prepare graduates for a career in the health sector. The degree provides the necessary qualification for graduates to be eligible to become a Registered Nurse in Australia.

Domestic snapshot
Duration | Location | Session |
---|---|---|
3F/6P
3.5 years minimum for students commencing Session 2 | Coffs Harbour | 1, 2 |
Gold Coast | 1, 2 | |
Lismore | 1, 2 |
International snapshot
Duration | Location | Session |
---|---|---|
3F/6P | Coffs Harbour | 1 |
Gold Coast | 1 | |
Lismore | 1 |
Major areas of study
Clinical experience gained through professional placements provides students with hands-on practical experience in a variety of areas including in:
- Community health
- Surgical and medical wards
- Aged care
- Mental health
- Indigenous health
- Child health
Learning outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes.
Graduate Attribute | Course Learning Outcome |
---|---|
Intellectual rigour | Demonstrate skills in clinical reasoning and decision making and the ability to use and contribute to research as a basis for ongoing professional inquiry and evidence based nursing practice |
Creativity | Incorporate creativity, integrity, responsibility and accountability in work practices, community activities and ongoing learning |
Ethical practice | Possess professional attributes and adhere to professional ethical and legal standards set by the profession to ensure safe and effective nursing practice |
Knowledge of a discipline | Demonstrate a broad and integrated understanding of the scope of nursing practice and a command of the factors that influence health outcomes |
Lifelong learning | Possess sound clinical skills and the ability to apply reflective and analytical skills in initiating, prioritising and managing nursing practice in challenging and diverse circumstances |
Communication and social skills | Demonstrate the capacity to work collaboratively in interdisciplinary health care teams and effectively lead the delivery of nursing |
Cultural competence | Attain the required level of professional proficiency to meet standards set by the ANMAC for entry to the professional register |
Assessment methods
A variety of assessment methods is used in this course including multiple choice examinations, short answer examinations, essay examinations, case studies, tutorial and workshop presentations, debates, written assignments and clinical skills testing. For each unit there are usually two to three assessment items.
Teaching methods
On-campus students experience a variety of teaching approaches including lectures, tutorials, online activities and video-linked or podcast virtual classes. The method of teaching may vary from unit to unit.
Some units in this course are also available by distance education. Our distance education study option is highly interactive and strives to promote collaboration and a sense of community. Students may receive a combination of podcast or video-linked lectures, electronic study materials, workshops, online discussion forums and virtual classes. The method of teaching may vary from unit to unit.
Career opportunities
Graduates are suited to careers in a range of clinical areas in the public and private health sectors including in surgical theatres, paediatrics, community health and education, renal dialysis, as practice nurse in GP clinics, child care, aged care, Indigenous health, remote area health, and in mental health.
Professional placement
Nursing students undertake clinical placements throughout the course in settings relevant to their areas of study, including in government and private hospitals and health agencies throughout New South Wales and south eastern Queensland.
Professional recognition
The degree is accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia and provides the necessary qualification for graduates to be eligible to become a Registered Nurse in Australia.
Related courses
- Bachelor of Clinical Sciences (Osteopathic Studies)
- Bachelor of Clinical Sciences (Osteopathic Studies)
- Bachelor of Clinical Sciences (Osteopathic Studies)
- Bachelor of Clinical Sciences (Osteopathic Studies)
- Bachelor of Clinical Sciences
- Bachelor of Clinical Sciences
- Bachelor of Occupational Therapy
- Bachelor of Occupational Therapy
- Bachelor of Occupational Therapy
- Bachelor of Occupational Therapy
- Bachelor of Occupational Therapy
- Bachelor of Occupational Therapy
- Bachelor of Occupational Therapy
- Bachelor of Midwifery
- Bachelor of Midwifery
- Bachelor of Midwifery
- Bachelor of Midwifery
- Bachelor of Midwifery
- Bachelor of Midwifery
- Bachelor of Midwifery
- Bachelor of Health and Human Sciences (Honours)
- Bachelor of Health and Human Sciences (Honours)
- Bachelor of Health and Human Sciences (Honours)
- Bachelor of Health and Human Sciences (Honours)
- Bachelor of Health and Human Sciences (Honours)
- Bachelor of Health and Human Sciences (Honours)
- Bachelor of Health and Human Sciences (Honours)
Type | Detail | ||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Course code | 3005105 | ||||||||||||||||
Course abbreviation | BN | ||||||||||||||||
Credit points | 288 | ||||||||||||||||
Equivalent units | 24 | ||||||||||||||||
Duration | 3 years full-time; 6 years part-time 3.5 years minimum for students commencing Session 2 |
||||||||||||||||
Availability details |
|
||||||||||||||||
Indicative ATAR/OP | N/A | ||||||||||||||||
Fees | Commonwealth supported |
Type | Detail | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Course code | 3005105 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Course abbreviation | BN | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Credit points | 288 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Equivalent units | 24 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Duration | 3 years full-time; 6 years part-time | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Availability details |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
English language IELTS |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Academic scores by country
|
Learning Resources
MySCU is a student's point of entry to a range of online services and resources that support study and student life. The portal includes unit learning sites and information sites where students can access resources, communication tools and useful links that are integral to their studies.
The web-based study environment Blackboard Learn delivers an advanced online learning environment for students and lecturers to communicate and collaborate through virtual meeting spaces, classrooms, and discussion boards. They can share files, presentations and applications. If a tutorial or lecture is recorded, students can view it afterwards.
Learning materials include the provision of unit information guides, study guides and readings. Students may need to purchase or access prescribed text books.
The SCU Library provides a wide range of services that include face-to-face and online help, and access to print and electronic resources.
The Academic Skills team supports student learning by offering online and on-campus academic skills workshops, assignment reviews and small group or one-on-one face-to-face, phone or Skype consultations during business hours 9am to 4.30pm. Appointments can be made via the MySCU Hub 'Connect Now' button or on the Academic Skills home page. Students can also book appointments online in Career Hub.
The Studiosity service provides online after-hours study support for SCU students. This service is available from 4pm to midnight Sunday to Friday via the 'Connect Now' button on MySCU Hub or from a link in nominated unit learning sites. The Studiosity service offers generic writing feedback and live online chat assistance for foundational concepts and study skills.
Equipment and facilities
Southern Cross University provides students with modern well equipped teaching spaces such as lecture theatres, classrooms, and studios or laboratories tailored to meet the needs of specific study disciplines. Contemporary audiovisual equipment is standard in most teaching venues, and students have access to computer labs for individual study purposes.
Nursing students access the clinical nursing simulation wards which are fitted with state-of-the art hospital and electronic teaching equipment. Each campus has access to SimMan — an interactive hi-fidelity model which can be programmed to simulate real life conditions and patient scenarios. There are specialised wet and dry anatomy labs. The anatomy and physiology lab has a range of medical and diagnostic equipment including life-sized anatomical models, microscopes, histological slides and dissection equipment, plus interactive computer software. Staff teaching in these labs are practising clinicians.
Course structure
See the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, in conjunction with the Specific Award Rules listed below.
Table of contents
Admission requirements
- Applicants for admission to candidature shall normally have satisfied the requirements prescribed in Rule 2 Section 2 of the Rules Relating to Awards as deemed eligible for admission by the School Board and have obtained a level of achievement acceptable to the School Board; and
-
have an assessable level of English Language ability to the standard for Registration as a Nurse as set out by the relevant Australian Nursing Regulation Authority, from time to time:
-
International applicants must be able to demonstrate proficiency of English deemed acceptable to the School Board, as set out by the relevant Nursing Regulatory Authority; and
- have achieved a minimum score of 7.0 in an International English Language Test System (IELTS) on each of the individual bands of reading, writing, speaking and listening.
-
Course requirements
To be eligible for the award of Bachelor of Nursing, a candidate shall:
- successfully complete not less than twenty-four (24) units comprising all units listed in the Schedule of Units attached to these Rules; and
- have satisfactorily met the requirements for all professional experience placement.
Student Progression
- Candidates are not permitted to have an extended period of more than 18 months between study of any two (2) of the Formation Based Learning Units (Clinical or Professional Experience).
- Notwithstanding Student Progression Requirement (a), candidates who have an Interrupted Study Sequence of more than 18 months will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and may be required to undertake a specified supported professional experience placement to ensure clinical currency prior to continuation with the course.
-
A candidate who has twice not satisfactorily met the requirements in a Formation Based Clinical unit or Professional Experience Placement will either be:
- excluded from the award; or
- subject to adequately demonstrated grounds of appeal (consistent with University Policy), permitted to re-enrol in a Formation Based Clinical Unit following approval by the Head of School.
-
A candidate who has failed the equivalent of thirty six (36) credit points within one academic year (three (3) study sessions) will either be:
- excluded from the award; or
- subject to adequately demonstrated grounds of appeal (consistent with University Rule 2, Section 10), permitted to enrol following approval by the Head of School.
Duration
The maximum duration for completion of the award of Bachelor of Nursing is seven (7) years in total which includes any period of leave of absence.
Advanced standing
-
Candidates may be considered for advanced standing in the Bachelor of Nursing provided;
- that such recognised prior learning complies with guidelines as set out by the relevant Australian Nursing Regulatory Authority relating to Credit for Prior Study in Courses Leading to Registration as a Nurse, (as those guidelines may exist from time to time); and
- the academic content of that prior learning is deemed by the School Board to be of an acceptable equivalence to units in the SCU Bachelor of Nursing course.
- In exceptional circumstances a candidate may be granted advanced standing greater than 50% plus two (2) by the School Board, which shall notify the Academic Board and the relevant Australian Nursing Authority in all instances.
Schedule of units
Course progressions
Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment
Full-time students
Title | Level of learning | Note | |
---|---|---|---|
Contact the School of Health and Human Sciences for this course progression.
|
Notes
Note 1: | Double-weighted unit |
Applications are not available for 2014. Please select a different year above or see Course Options for courses currently offered.
The information on this page may be subject to change over time. Please check this web page again before acting and see our disclaimer
From the 1st of June, 2017, the term 'Distance Education' has been replaced with 'Online'