Bachelor of Nursing

What is this course about?

CSU's Bachelor of Nursing is a contemporary and competitive course, developed in close association with the industry to prepare graduates for a career in nursing. It is offered for on campus study and by distance education, with a range of credit packages available.

Developed in close association with the nursing profession and healthcare industries, CSU's Bachelor of Nursing is a fully accredited course and addresses the needs of today's nurse. A rewarding and diverse career path, nursing is a health profession concerned with caring for people of all ages.

CSU plays a leading role in nursing education in Australia, providing clinical education in many areas of nursing. Our students receive a thorough education that balances theory and clinical practice.

This course is offered on campus at Albury-Wodonga, Bathurst, Dubbo and Wagga Wagga, or by distance education. The Dubbo Campus offering is available to domestic students only.

An intake for Session 2 is available for domestic distance education students only.

What will I learn?

CSU's Bachelor of Nursing philosophy encompasses primary healthcare, Indigenous health and culture, health challenges, health optimisation, discipline of nursing, clinical nursing practice, social justice, psychosocial sciences and biosciences.

How long will this course take?

The normal duration of the course for full time on campus students is three years with a maximum period of four and a half years.

CSU's Bachelor of Nursing allows for a flexible workload for students choosing to study by distance education. The course can normally be completed within three to four years depending on the amount of credit awarded, with a maximum period of five and a half years.

Residential school for students studying by distance education

Students studying by distance education attend compulsory residential schools held on CSU's campuses for all nursing and science subjects. Residential schools range from two to five days in length for each subject. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure they are able to attend all compulsory residential schools and block clinical placements.

Residential school is in mid February for students commencing the course in Session 1 and in June/July for those commencing in Session 2. Please check with the University for residential school dates prior to making your application to ensure you will be able to attend. Residential schools are a requirement for successful completion of the related subject.

Study through CSU Wangaratta

The Diploma of Nursing through Goulburn Ovens TAFE (GOTAFE) provides a pathway to CSU's Bachelor of Nursing. Distance education students from North East Victoria who are completing the Bachelor of Nursing will have the option to select Wangaratta as the location at which they will attend some residential schools. Students may be required to attend residential schools at other CSU campuses, including Albury-Wodonga Campus. 

Credit

Applicants can apply for credit depending on their previous qualifications.

More information about credit and pathways.

Australian Enrolled/Division 2 Nurses

Enrolled/Division 2 nurses who also hold:

• TAFE Diploma in Nursing course No. 4393 will receive a 64 point credit package
• TAFE Certificate IV Course No. 3262 (2008 and beyond) will receive a 40 point credit package
• TAFE Certificate IV Course No. 3228 (prior to 2008) will receive a 24 point credit package

Students who have completed Enrolled/Division 2 Nurse qualifications at TAFE and other institutions outside NSW will have their application for credit assessed on an individual basis by the Undergraduate Courses Director.

Other educational institutions

Students with qualifications from other educational institutions may be awarded credit for one or more subjects. Students will need to provide certified academic transcripts demonstrating successful completion of subjects along with associated documentation that establishes material studied is relevant to a CSU Bachelor of Nursing subject.

To find out which subjects you may be exempt from, visit the Nursing in the CSU Handbook.

Additional admission requirements

Refer to the workplace learning section for information on:

• Immunisation
• National Criminal Record Clearance
• Senior First Aid Certificate
• The Nurses and Midwives Board of NSW requirement

Academic expectations

For each 8 point subject at CSU, students should normally expect to spend between 140-160 hours engaged in the specified learning and assessment activities (such as attending lectures or residential schools, assigned readings, tutorial assistance, individual or group research/study, forum activity, workplace learning, assignments or examinations). The student workload for some subjects may vary from these norms as a result of approved course design.

Students will be assessed on the basis of completed assignments, examinations, workplace learning, or other methods as outlined in specific subject outlines.

Where applicable, students are responsible for travel and accommodation costs involved in workplace learning experiences, or attending residential schools (distance education students).

Expectations relating to academic, workplace learning, time and cost requirements for specific subjects are provided in the subject abstracts and in course materials.