Bachelor of Nursing - Graduate Diploma of Clinical Practice (Paramedic)
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The Bachelor of Clinical Practice (Paramedic) offers you a rewarding, fast-paced career that really makes a difference to people's lives.
Become an ambulance officer
CSU's Bachelor of Nursing - Graduate Diploma of Clinical Practice (Paramedic) enables graduates to gain a qualification as a registered nurse, then immediately complete further paramedic study.
Why study this course?
The Bachelor of Nursing - Graduate Diploma of Clinical Practice (Paramedic) at CSU enables you to enrol in a study pathway providing you with a range of career options in health care.
You will complete the Bachelor of Nursing full-time at Bathurst Campus in the first three years of the course, gaining a solid theoretical and practical grounding in health care, before continuing on to complete the Graduate Diploma of Clinical Practice (Paramedic) over two years by distance education.
The Bachelor of Nursing component prepares you for health care in the 21st Century and beyond, equipping you to work in a broad range of contexts and with patients across the lifespan. You will become a competent and adaptable graduate, able to be a creative and critical thinker, and a reflective and ethical practitioner, educator and facilitator.
The Graduate Diploma of Clinical Practice (Paramedic) enables registered nurses to transition to paramedic practice, with the ability to solve complex problems and implement plans of action that are clinically, ethically and logistically sound.
You will complete theoretical subjects in the sciences and health care, as well as nursing and paramedic clinical placements to develop your practical skills.
Reasons for studying Nursing and Paramedic at CSU:
- Follow a study pathway linking nursing and paramedics to provide diverse career options
- Clinical experience is offered in both nursing and paramedic settings
- Prepares you to become an effective member of a multi-disciplinary health care team.
Career opportunities
Graduates of this course will be eligible to work as registered nurses or apply for graduate entry to the ambulance services.
Find out where this course can take you
Professional recognition
This course consists of two courses that are linked through a program code. The Bachelor of Nursing is accredited through the ANMAC and the Graduate Diploma of Clinical Practice (Paramedic) is currently undergoing accreditation with the Australasian Council of Ambulance Authorities Inc.
Workplace learning
You will gain practical experience using state-of-the-art facilities on campus and attending clinical placements in a range of health care settings.
Career opportunities
Graduates of this course will be able to work as professional registered nurses with the skills to work in health facilities ranging from primary to tertiary settings, and who will have a specific knowledge of regional and Indigenous health services.
Graduates of the Graduate Diploma of Clinical Practice (Paramedic) will have the knowledge base to support their decision-making processes, and work in a multi-disciplinary team, with a positive and caring attitude.
Workplace learning
During the Bachelor of Nursing, you will develop practical skills using simulated learning in various health care settings on campus, as well as attending placements. These may include working in secondary health settings with children and adults, community or residential aged care facilities, mental health community or institutional settings, or other primary, secondary or tertiary health settings.
Students in the Graduate Diploma of Clinical Practice (Paramedic) complete 140 hours of clinical experience in a supervised placement in an ambulance service setting. The placement focuses on developing clinical skills working with patients with acute health conditions, with an emphasis on communication, scene management and procedures dealing with airways, breathing, circulation, posture and patient assessment.
All students are required to comply with the risk management policies and procedures of their host ambulance authority while on placement.
National Criminal Record Check
Students may be required to undergo a criminal record check and/or complete a Prohibited Employment Declaration under the Child Protection Act 1998 as part of professional experience requirements. These checks are intended to identify people who might, because of convictions for such things as violence or sexual offences, put students/clients' personal safety or health at risk. Traffic violations and other minor offences are not of interest.
As such, prospective students should be aware that an inability to obtain a criminal record clearance or complete a Prohibited Employment Declaration may limit practicum opportunities in some organisations and industries. Furthermore, criminal convictions involving violence or sexual offences may limit continued enrolment in a course and/or employment opportunities after completing the course.
If you have any queries regarding these matters, including the opportunities available for review of a particular case, contact the Course Director.
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 any workplace learning (e.g. clinical placements, practicums or internships). The Senior First Aid Certificate must be current for the duration of the course.
If you are an Enrolled/Division 2 Nurse or Paramedic you may instead provide documentation from a current employer which indicates evidence of competency based CPR accreditation.
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.
Immunisation
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 undertaking workplace learning. This commitment includes adopting an assessment, screening and vaccination policy Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination Against Specific Infectious Diseases (PD2011_005) 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 session 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.
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Admission requirements
Admission to this course is based on students' ATAR or equivalent.
Applicants need to be able to attend a five-day residential school as part of the Introduction to Internship subject in the Graduate Diploma of Clinical Practice (Paramedic).
To be admitted into the course, prospective students need to indicate their likelihood of success through:
- previous studies, and
- other attainments and experience.
Previous studies
Previous studies include:
- the NSW Higher School Certificate or interstate /overseas equivalent;
- the International Baccalaureate Diploma;
- a completed or part completed course of a university, college of advanced education or other accredited tertiary institution;
- a completed or part completed course of a TAFE college or other accredited post-secondary institution (including TAFE Tertiary Preparation Certificate);
- an approved Foundation Studies program certificate;
- completion of undergraduate subjects as an Associate Student with the University or through another University, or Open Universities Australia.
NSW and interstate school leavers are normally selected on the basis of their Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) or interstate equivalent. You may also be admitted on the basis of a strong performance in subjects relevant to your course preferences.
Currently no secondary school subjects are prerequisites for admission to particular CSU courses however some courses assume a certain level of knowledge. This will be specified in the course information if applicable.
English language proficiency
The University has minimum requirements for English language proficiency prior to entry to our courses. Some courses also have a requirement for a higher entry or exit level of English proficiency. More information on English language requirements.
Attainment and experience
You may also be admitted to a course based on other attainments and experience. These may include:
- voluntary or paid work experience;
- performance in tests and examinations conducted by professional recognised bodies;
- participation in continuing education programs and/or staff development programs conducted by adult education agencies, consultancies, professional bodies or employers;
- completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT).
Internet access
CSU places great emphasis on services to its students. It is a leader in the provision of online services and, in particular, the use of the internet in the support of teaching, administration and communications with students.
The online environment is so integrated into all aspects of student life and the learning experience at CSU that the University now assumes that all on campus and distance education students at CSU will have ongoing access to an internet connected computer capable of communicating with CSU online systems.
Students enrolled in Information Technology subjects (i.e. with an ITC subject code) may be required to have additional hardware and/or software that is deemed essential for the completion of the learning activities in that subject.
Costs of study
Australian and New Zealand students
Commonwealth supported place
You will make a student contribution (formerly HECS) towards the cost of your tuition fees.
Options:
- Defer your payment using a HECS-HELP loan, which is repaid through the taxation system once your income reaches a certain threshold
- Pay your fee contribution up-front each session and receive a 10% discount (if eligible)
| TBA* | Student fee contribution for your first year of study |
|---|
* This is an indicative 2013 figure based on a standard equivalent full-time study load of eight 8 point subjects per year (64 points). Part-time and distance education students will usually study only four 8 point subjects per year (32 points).
This course is not available to international students.
Apply now
This course is available to commence study in
Australian and New Zealand students
Apply through UAC
Full-time on campus study only
Admission code: Bathurst - 214717
International Students
This course is not available to international students.
Prospective Student Inquiries
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