THE SCHOOL OF NURSING, MIDWIFERY AND NUTRITION BACHELOR OF NURSING SCIENCE CURRICULUM

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THE SCHOOL OF NURSING, MIDWIFERY AND NUTRITION

BACHELOR OF NURSING SCIENCE CURRICULUM

MAJORS:

What is a major, and what does it mean to my future practice?

A major is a specific stream of nursing that you have identified as a key area of interest for you that you may

like to pursue in your future nursing career. The subjects in the major have a specific focus in how the

knowledge within the broader curriculum is applied to nursing practice.

Do I have to choose a major?

No, you don’t have to choose a major. You can progress through the course and graduate with a Bachelor of Nursing Science where you have experienced a range of professional experiences from a range of practice settings.

What if I am not sure about what I want to do in the future?

If you aren’t sure about where you would see yourself practising in a few years, you can continue in the course with the general major.

Can I change if I decide I don’t want to keep going in my major?

You can change back to the general major if you wish. If you want to change to another major, you will have to check that you have met the pre‐requisite subjects for the subjects in that major.

Are there limits to how many students can select each major?

There will be some limits to the number of students undertaking the majors. This is due to the specialised nature of the professional experiences required and the limited availability of those.

When do I have to decide by?

It is best if you enrol in all of your subjects for the full academic year, in January, allowing for the usual time for enrolment and to ensure that there are sufficient places available.

How do I enrol in a major?

You will be able to select a major as part of your enrolment process. If you have any difficulties with the online selection, please contact the Student Enquiry Centre.

How do I enrol in my subjects?

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HOW DOES A MAJOR AFFECT REGISTRATION?

Does the major appear on my degree?

Yes, the major will appear on your degree. For example: Bachelor of Nursing Science (Mental Health Major),

Bachelor of Nursing Science (Evidence Based Practice Major), Bachelor of Nursing Science (Rural and Remote Major), or Bachelor of Nursing Science with nothing in brackets for the General Major.

What limitations does it place on my future employment?

You will be registered as a nurse which allows you to practice in any number of practice settings. You may have the requisite knowledge to support practice in a specialised setting but where you work will not be limited by your major.

Does the major affect my registration?

No, you will register with AHPRA as a registered general nurse in Australia

Please refer to the flow charts for each major, identified by the colour code as used within

this document.

Bachelor of Nursing Science General Major

Bachelor of Nursing Science Evidence Based Practice Major

Bachelor of Nursing Science Rural and Remote Major

Bachelor of Nursing Science Mental Health Major

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THE BNSc CURRICULUM:

What is an elective subject?

An elective subject is one that you can choose from two or three subjects listed for that study period at your year level. If you have chosen to do a major, you may be limited to which subjects are required. If you have chosen to do the general major, you may be limited to subjects which are not specific to a major.

When do I have to choose an elective subject?

You should select your elective subjects at the beginning of each year of study on your study plan.

What is professional experience placement?

Professional experience placement is the ‘new’ term for what has previously been referred to as ‘clinical placement’.

What is ‘block mode’ that describes the study mode for some subjects in the new

curriculum?

Block mode means that a subject will be taught in ‘intensives’. For example, for a subject you may be required to attend university for a specific Monday to Friday ‘block’ to meet the face‐to‐face teaching requirements. Instead of being spread over the study period, you will only be required to attend the block for the subject, completing all other subject content off campus.

What are professional experience workshops?

Professional Experience Workshops (PEWs) are an integral part of the learning experiences in the Clinical Nursing Practice (1‐6) subjects. When you are enrolled in a Clinical Nursing Practice subject, you will be required to attend PEWs during the teaching period. During these workshops you will have the opportunity to link theoretical knowledge with the reality of the health care experience in a simulated healthcare environment.

What is a Capstone subject?

The curriculum has a Capstone subject in the final study period before you graduate. This subject is a 6 credit point subject (the equivalent of two subjects) and as such you will see that in level three, you will only enrol in three subjects for the final semester of study.

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THE SCHOOL OF NURSING, MIDWIFERY AND NUTRITION BACHELOR OF NURSING SCIENCE CURRICULUM