Bachelor of Nursing (Division 2 Conversion)

Course code/s: Albury-Wodonga (HSBNCW), Bendigo (BEBND2), Melbourne (HSBNC), Mildura (HBNCM), Shepparton (HBNCP)

Course Coordinator: Mary Holdsworth

Contact: ph (03) 9479 5950 email health@latrobe.edu.au

Duration: 2 years full-time or part-time equivalent

The Bachelor of Nursing (Division 2 Conversion) is a two-year full-time (or part-time equivalent, to be negotiated), 240 credit point pass degree leading to registration as a Registered Nurse (Division 1) with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA). Graduates will also meet the University and Faculty of Health Sciences graduate capabilities. This course is available to students holding a current Enrolled Nurse Registration with the NMBA who wish to upgrade their qualification to a Bachelor of Nursing.

The course is offered at the Albury-Wodonga, Bendigo, Melbourne, Mildura and Shepparton campuses. It requires students to successfully complete a bridging course in human anatomy and physiology prior to the commencement of the course if their initial Enrolled Nursing Registration is pre-2008. All commencing students must complete a compulsory cornerstone transition program prior to the University Orientation Program in February 2012.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Nursing (Division 2 Conversion) will attain competency standards for Registered Nurses and meet the University and Faculty of Health Sciences graduate capabilities.

The course is designed to foster intellectual development, critical thinking and continuing professional development. Graduates will gain a commitment to research and evidence based practice to enable them to make ethical practice decisions which ensure quality outcomes. Graduates will be accountable, reflective nurses committed to respond to societal needs and participate in social change, health promotion and disease prevention. The on-campus Clinical Learning Unit enables students to practise and develop clinical skills using simulation learning methods in a supportive environment. Senior students have the opportunity to be based at one of our innovative Clinical Schools.

Students are eligible to apply for a short and/or one-semester international exchange study program with one of our collaborative educational partners. Graduate nurses will be, by virtue of their increased clinical learning opportunities and enhanced research preparation able to practise in a broad range of settings with greater opportunities to lead, manage time and organise their work.

Clinical experience

Nursing practicum subjects are offered throughout the course to complement theory and to establish skill competency. To meet the registration requirements of the NMBA, students must satisfactorily achieve a range of competencies in the area of clinical practice. Clinical placements may be required in a range of metropolitan, rural and interstate settings and are undertaken either as single days or as a block experience of single to multiple weeks. Clinical placements may be required outside of semester and normal business hours. For information on the Faculty's Clinical and Professional Education policy, please visit our website.

Clinical requirements

Prior to commencing your first clinical placements, students are required to produce evidence of completion of:

First Aid Level II Certificate (A$160)
immunisation requirements (A$250-470)
National Police Certificate (A$15.50)
Working With Children Check (no cost)

Honours

An additional year of study is available at honours level of 120 credit points. Students who have achieved a Weighted Average Mark of 75% or greater across their final year of study will be considered. This is also available to external candidates who meet the prerequisite requirements.

Professional recognition

Graduates seeking registration must apply with the NMBA and meet the Board's registration standards. After registration, graduates may be eligible for registration in other countries as well as for membership of the Royal College of Nursing Australia. Please note the NMBA has set an English Language Skills standard of IELTS in each of the four components - listening, reading, writing and speaking. For further information about these requirements, please visit the NMBA website at www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au. Students enrolled in this program will also be registered as students with the NMBA by La Trobe University at no cost.

Full-time structure

First year
Teaching period	Subject code	Subject title	Credit points
TE-SEM-1	NSG2ACA	Acute Care A	30
TE-SEM-1	NSG2MIN	Medications in Nursing	15
TE-SEM-1	NSG2CAD	Clinical Assessment & Decisions	15
TE-W30-44	NSG2ACB	Acute Care B	30
TE-W30-44	NSG2MHN	Mental Health Nursing	15
TE-W30-44	NSG2COM	Community Nursing	15

Second year
Teaching period	Subject code	Subject title	Credit points
TE-SEM-1	NSG3CCN	Complex Care Nursing	30
TE-SEM-1	NSG3NOP	Nursing Older Person	15
TE-SEM-1	NSG3PTN	Professional Transitions in Nursing	15
TE-SEM-2	NSG3CPC	Clinical Practice Consolidation	30
TE-SEM-2	NSG3MCC	Managing Chronic Conditions	15
TE-SEM-2	NSG3CIN	Challenging Interactions in Nursing	15