Bachelor of Nursing

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Exhibit values, behaviours, attributes and professional knowledge congruent with quality, safe, ethical, legal and culturally appropriate provision of nursing practice in a range of health care settings across the domains of physical health, mental health and aged care to meet the Registered Nurse Standards of Practice;
2. Integrate knowledge of anatomy and physiology with scientific concepts underpinning nursing practice using clinical reasoning and problem-solving skills;
3. Contextualise comprehensive health assessment techniques to evaluate physical, psychosocial, sociological, spiritual, cultural and age appropriate elements taking a person-centred approach within an interprofessional framework whilst exhibiting accountability consistent with own nursing scope of practice;
4. Plan, implement and evaluate contemporary nursing practice within the context of evidence-based recommendations across the lifespan in primary, secondary and tertiary contexts in response to regional, national and global health priorities;
5. Exemplify cultural responsiveness, sensitivity and inclusive practice and promote the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and culturally diverse communities;
6. Exemplify therapeutic and interpersonal skills using face-to-face and digital health communication within professional nursing practice; and
7. Critically reflect on own nursing practice to identify professional needs and opportunities, to inform development, and support evaluation of self-directed and lifelong learning.

As a VU student, you’ll get to immerse yourself in the day-to-day work of a nurse by completing 800 professional practice hours through work placements with our industry partners.

Benefit from VU’s strong industry connections with:

• Western Health
• Mercy Health Services
• Melbourne Health
• over 200 clinical agencies.

Our close industry partnerships also mean all your course material is regularly updated in-line with current healthcare practice, so you’ll graduate with the skills and knowledge to enter the workforce with confidence.

Find out more about nursing and midwifery placements.

As a nursing student, you’ll get to practise what you learn in safe, supported, high-tech learning environments to prepare you to work with real patients confidently.

With 140 clinical simulation hours included in your Bachelor of Nursing, you’ll get access to our state-of-the-art nursing simulation laboratories at the St Albans Campus and at Sunshine Clinical School, VU’s new dedicated teaching facility embedded in Sunshine Hospital where you’ll spend part of your third year.

These laboratories are designed to simulate a hospital environment, to prepare you for working with real patients. They are also equipped with fixed cameras that enable video recording and live video streaming to give you an immersive learning experience.

Meeting the minimum entry criteria does not guarantee entry into this course.

Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (VCE or equivalent) including Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or 25 in any other English (or equivalent).
AND
Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 20 in one of Biology, Chemistry, Health And Human Development, any Mathematics or Psychology.
OR
Completion of an Australian Advanced Diploma or Diploma (or equivalent) in Nursing, Health Sciences or similar.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR ALL INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ON NURSING AND MIDWIFERY BOARD OF AUSTRALIA (NMBA) ENGLISH LANGUAGE SKILLS REGISTRATION STANDARDS
Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they meet the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) English language skills registration standard. Applicants can obtain further information about the Standard and sitting requirements for the English Language Tests at: http://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Registration-Standards/English-language-skills.aspx

As part of this standard, applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have evidence of completing:
• At least 5 years (full time equivalent) continuous education taught and assessed in English, in any of the recognised countries (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, United States of America, Canada, Republic of Ireland, United Kingdom).
OR
• IELTS with a minimum IELTS (academic module) overall score of 7 and a minimum score of 7 in each of the three components of listening, reading, and speaking, and a minimum score of 6.5 in writing.
OR
• OET with a minimum score of B in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking).
OR
• PTE Academic with a minimum overall score of 65 and a minimum score of 65 in each of the four communicative skills (listening, reading, writing and speaking).
OR
• TOEFL iBT with a minimum total score of 94 and the following minimum score in each section of the test: 24 for listening, 24 for reading, 27 for writing, and 23 for speaking.

Special entry programs

If you are from a disadvantaged or underrepresented social, economic or cultural background, you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs. These programs are designed to help you access education more easily.

Learn more about special admission programs

Inherent requirements

Inherent requirements are the abilities, attributes, skills and behaviours needed to meet the learning outcomes of the course.

You should carefully consider the inherent requirement statement as a:

• guide for your learning during the course
• way for you to identify challenges you may have in studying this course.

Learn more about inherent requirements

Additional information

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Students must have successfully completed and submitted all mandatory documentation onto VU WIL at least two weeks prior to the commencement of the block to remain enrolled in HNB1205 Foundations in Nursing 2. Students who have not successfully submitted documentation, will be withdrawn from HNB1205.

Evidence of mandatory documents and vaccinations for placement is a hurdle for specific units in year 2 and year 3. Students must provide evidence of achievement of the required vaccinations and documents by 5pm on Friday of Week 3 of the Block in order to be eligible to pass the unit and to go on placement. Evidence of annual flu vaccination is also required (subject to availability).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR ALL DOMESTIC STUDENTS ON NURSING AND MIDWIFERY BOARD OF AUSTRALIA (NMBA) ENGLISH LANGUAGE SKILLS REGISTRATION STANDARDS
Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they meet the requirements of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia’s (NMBA) English language skills registration standard. Proof of this English language competency can be achieved via ONE of the following three pathways:

Primary Language Pathway

Applicants must be able to demonstrate that their primary language is English and they have satisfactorily completed at least six years of primary and secondary education taught and assessed in English in either Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom or United States of America, including at least two years between years 7 and 12.

Extended Education Pathway

Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have satisfactorily completed three years (full-time equivalent) of education taught and assessed in English, in either Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom or United States of America.

Note: It is a requirement of the NMBA English language skills registration standard, for registration as an Enrolled Nurse via this pathway, that five years (full-time equivalent) continuous education in total is completed.

English Language Test Pathway

Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have achieved the required minimum scores in one of the following English language tests and meet the requirements for test results specified in NMBA’s English language skills registration standard:
• IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 7.0 (with no individual band less than 7.0);
OR
• OET: minimum score of B in each of the four bands;
OR
• TOEFL iBT: minimum overall score of 94 (with minimum score of 24 in listening and reading, 27 in writing and 23 in speaking)
OR
• PTE (A): minimum score of 65 (with no communication band less than 65)

Applicants can obtain further information about the Standard at: http://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Registration-Standards/English-language-skills.aspx