Online Course Brochure

Special admission requirements

Assumed knowledge is any two units of English and any two units of mathematics. Enrolled nurses holding pre-enrolment qualifications, other than the TAFE Enrolled Nurse Advanced Certificate (now Certificate IV) or equivalent, will be eligible for admission to the course. A fee paying nursing science course is offered to non-school leaver applicants for completion prior to enrolment in the Bachelor of Nursing.

On entry to the course, students must have an approved current Senior First Aid Certificate or obtain one as a result of completing an accredited First Aid course by the end of Session 1 in the Bachelor of Nursing course.

Senior First Aid Certificate

All students are required to have a current Senior First Aid Certificate, obtained at their own cost, from an accredited body (Workcover approved) before undertaking clinical placements.

This is to be attained before you undertake your first clinical practicum in your first year of study.

Literacy requirements

To be successful at studies within this course, students must be highly competent in spoken and written English. All students who do not have this level of competence in spoken and written English will be required to independently organise some form of coaching in English. A short TAFE course or private coaching may assist to improve English skills. Students will be advised of their options by the Head of School from the campus where they are enrolled.

If, after an agreed period of study in English a student’s English standard has not improved, the appropriate Head of School will provide further advice with regard to alternative career options.

Clinical requirements

Senior First Aid Certificate
All students are required to have a current Senior First Aid Certificate, obtained at their own cost, from an accredited body (Workcover approved) before undertaking clinical placements.

NOTE: As many courses include a clinical practicum in the first session, students are advised to complete their Senior First Aid Certificate prior to commencement of their first year of study.

Criminal Record Clearance
The Department of Health in NSW, and most other states, currently require all health facility staff, including students on clinical placement, to undergo criminal record checks. The checks are intended to identify people who have convictions for such things as violence or sexual offences, who may put patients’/clients’ personal safety or health at risk. Traffic violations and other minor offences are not of interest.

All students must therefore have a Criminal Record Clearance prior to placement in any capacity in the NSW Health system and most other State organisations. Prospective students should be aware that an inability to obtain a Criminal Record Clearance will make it impossible to complete this course satisfactorily as it will not be possible to arrange suitable clinical placements.

In addition, all students are required to complete a Prohibited Employment Declaration indicating whether or not they are a prohibited person under the Child Protection Act 1998.

If you have any queries regarding these requirements, including the opportunities available for review of a particular case, contact the Course Coordinator.

Immunisation - Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination Against Infectious Diseases

NSW Health is committed to ensuring the health and safety of all clients in health care settings and providing a safe and healthy working environment for all staff and other clinical personnel, including students. This commitment includes adopting an assessment, screening and vaccination policy Occupational Assessment Screening and Vaccination Against Specific Infectious Diseases (PD2007_006) that minimises the risk of acquiring infectious diseases. Compliance with this policy is mandatory for all health facility staff, including students on clinical placement.

All students must undergo vaccination against infectious diseases prior to placement within the NSW Health System, and most other Australian State Health Systems. Results of these vaccinations are kept on a personal record card (available from the School through which the student is studying). This card must be presented, upon request, by NSW Health, or other State Health staff, whilst the student is on placement.

The Policy requires that you consult your local doctor to obtain written proof of protection against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, measles, mumps, rubella, chicken pox and hepatitis B.

NOTE: It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that the requirements of this policy have been met, and failure to comply with the requirements may jeopardise completion of your studies.

As a full course of vaccinations may take several months to complete, you are advised to consult your local medical practitioner well in advance of the commencement of your clinical experience placement. Please contact your medical practitioner to identify your local TB screening provider and ensure the screening is completed prior to your first clinical placement.

PLEASE NOTE that, as many courses involve clinical practicums in the first semester of study, the hepatitis B immunisation should be commenced early, in order for full immunisation status to be attained prior to clinical placements and so meet NSW Health requirements.

Further information is available from NSW Health.

The Nurses and Midwives Board of NSW (NMB NSW) Requirement
At the point of applying for registration (List A) as a Registered Nurse (RN), graduates of the Bachelor of Nursing must supply evidence of ‘good character’ to the NMB NSW. Evidence of any history of criminal convictions indicating any driving offences such as speeding etc. must be notified to the Board at the time of applying for registration as a nurse (parking tickets are not of interest).

For additional information, graduating students should refer to the Board's requirements for registration online at www.nmb.nsw.gov.au

 

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