Nursing & Midwifery
Canada
In 1995, the School of Nursing and Health Science first offered the conversion degree, the Bachelor of HealthScience (Nursing) to registered nurses in Canada. The initial cohort of students was located in the province of Ontario, but since then registered nurses from across Canada have enrolled in the degree in increasing numbers.
This distance education degree offers RNs the opportunity to upgrade their qualifications through distance and on-line study, and has opened pathways to post-graduate study in both Canada and Australia.
The usual undergraduate degree across all states in Australia for nursing is a three-year qualification, as entry to practice. This has been the case since 1992. Within Australia, many registered nurses from the hospital system of training have since converted their qualifications to degree status with consequent advantages to their career progression.
In 1996 the Australian Government recommended that nurses holding hospital-based qualifications should be recognised as having the equivalent of 2/3 of a degree, which is the basis of the Bachelor of Health Science (Nursing). Diplomates from Colleges of Advanced Education and similar institutions were to upgrade in four (4) subjects
For registered (licensed) nurses in Canada, there are two course structures depending upon their original entry to practice. Those nurses who trained in hospitals and obtained either a hospital certificate or diploma, there is an eight-subject requirement, which can be completed within two years of part time study.
Those nurses who received diploma qualifications from colleges in Canada or elsewhere are required to complete four (4) subjects, which can be completed within one year.'
It is possible to extend the enrolment in individual cases, where students make application to do so. The normal extension of enrolment is 1.5 times the minimum period of time.
Applicants who are hospital trained may seek credit for extra qualifications such as Midwifery, Mental Health Nursing, Intensive Care or Renal Nursing (for example) if they have undertaken accredited courses in these specialisations. The maximum number of subjects' credit is 20 (or 160 points of a 192 point degree).
Canadian registered nurses holding degrees in nursing are also invited to apply for the Master of Health Science (Nursing).
The University's Canadian agent for this degree is:
International Student Recruitment Service
ISRS@sympatico.ca
Course Coordinator:
Christine Haley
School of Nursing and Health Science
Bathurst Campus
chaley@csu.edu.au
Information regarding application and enrolment can be obtained from the University's International Office (Kirsty Oke at koke@csu.edu.au).