Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for Nursing at La Trobe?
What ENTER/UAI score is required to gain entry to the course?
What are the prerequisite subjects in VCE?
What are the prerequisites if I am not a current VCE applicant?
I am currently registered as a Division 2 Nurse, am I eligible for any credit?
I completed a Bachelor degree overseas, can I still apply for the Graduate Entry program?
Is there a bridging program that I need to complete?
Can I do the course part-time?
How much clinical experience will I get?
Where will I complete my clinical placements?
How much will a Nursing degree cost?
Are there any additional costs?
What are my employment prospects?
Do I need to sit the STAT Multiple Choice test, and what is it?
Can I defer my offer until 2010?
Can I transfer between campuses?
Can I study a Bachelor of Nursing via Distance Education?
Can I apply for credit / recognition of prior learning?
How do I apply for Nursing at La Trobe?
All applications for entry into Nursing courses offered by La Trobe University must be submitted via one of the following methods:
Applicants who reside in Victoria must apply via VTAC (www.vtac.edu.au) unless you are applying for Honours.
Applicants for the Bachelor of Nursing at Albury-Wodonga and Mildura campuses can apply via UAC (www.uac.edu.au) or VTAC unless you are applying for Honours.
For more detailed information regarding application, please refer to the following web site:
http://www.latrobe.edu.au/nursing/HowToApply/
Applicants wishing to apply for the Bachelor of Nursing (Honours) are required to submit a direct application to the Division of Nursing and Midwifery for consideration. For further information regarding Honours at La Trobe or an application form, please refer to the following link:
http://www.latrobe.edu.au/nursing/ProspectiveStudents/Undergraduate2009/index.php
What ENTER/UAI score is required to gain entry to the course?
For a full list of 2008 ENTER Scores across the Division of Nursing & Midwifery, please refer to the 2008 Undergraduate Courses Brochure which can be located via the following link:
http://www.latrobe.edu.au/nursing/ProspectiveStudents/Undergraduate2009/index.php
The 2008 ENTER Scores are as follows:
Course/Campus |
ENTER |
Bachelor of Nursing (Albury/Wodonga) |
53.75 |
Bachelor of Nursing (Mildura) |
53.50 |
Bachelor of Nursing (Shepparton) |
61.00 |
Bachelor of Nursing (Bendigo) |
60.20 |
Bachelor of Nursing (Bundoora) |
73.00 |
Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Midwifery |
82.05 |
It should be noted that the ENTER/UAI Score varies from year to year and that it should only be used as a guide and not as a rule when applying.
What are the prerequisite subjects in VCE?
VCE applicants are required to have a Study Score of at least 30 in Units 3 & 4 of English (ESL) or 25 in English and a Study Score of at least 20 in one of the following: Maths (any), Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or Physical Education.
HSC applicants are required to have any two units of English (Band 3) and (Band 2) in one of the following units: Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, Personal Development Health and Physical Education.
All applicants are strongly encouraged to purchase a copy of the 2009 VTAC Guide to review the full list of prerequisites.
What are the prerequisites if I am not a current VCE applicant?
Non Year 12 applicants are considered via an ENTER/UAI Score (if applicable), Grade Point Average (only generated from University study) and/or STAT Multiple Choice Test result.
Applicants wishing to be considered for the Bachelor of Nursing (Division 2 Conversion) may be contacted in late November regarding a possible interview to be held in December.
Applicants over 21 year of age, wishing to be considered for an offer in Nursing at Albury/Wodonga and/or Shepparton must complete a 1,000 word essay on ‘why you want to be a nurse’ and submit to the Albury/Wodonga Selection Officer by 26 September 2008.
For detailed information regarding the STAT M Test, please refer to the following web link:
http://www.latrobe.edu.au/nursing/HowToApply/STAT.php
All applicants are strongly encouraged to purchase a copy of the 2009 VTAC Guide to review the full list of prerequisites.
I am currently registered as a Division 2 Nurse, am I eligible for any credit?
The Division of Nursing & Midwifery offer Bachelor of Nursing (Division 2 Conversion) specifically designed for Div 2 Nurses. This course is a 2 year, full time course at Albury-Wodonga, Bundoora and Bendigo and a 3 year part time course at Mildura and Shepparton. Applicants are awarded a year of credit as a result of being a Registered Division 2 Nurse or equivalent in other States. To be considered for an offer in this course all applicants must sit the STAT Multiple Choice Test. When applying via VTAC, applicants can register their attendance for the STAT M.
Selection for the Bachelor of Nursing (Division 2 Conversion) is predominantly based on the overall percentile ranking of the STAT M however some applicants may be invited to an interview, normally held in December. Applicants who are required to attend an Interview will be notified shortly after the Early Round Selection has been completed (late November). Applicants are strongly encouraged to sit the first available STAT test in October.
For further information regarding the STAT M Test, please refer to the following link:
http://www.latrobe.edu.au/nursing/HowToApply/STAT.php
I am currently enrolled in a Certificate IV (Health Nursing) and will not be registered as a Division 2 Nurse at time of application, can I still apply?
Depending on when you will successfully complete your course and become a Division 2 Registered Nurse, you may still apply. Generally speaking, as long as you will be registered as a Division 2 Nurse by Christmas, you may still apply. Please contact the Selection Officer at the campus for which you are intending to apply to discuss your application prior to submission.
I have completed a Bachelor degree in Australia and am interested in Nursing, am I eligible for any credit?
Yes, at the Bundoora campus we offer a Bachelor of Nursing (Graduate Entry) specifically designed for applicants who have completed any Bachelor degree. It is a 2 year course offered in full time mode (VTAC Code: 21801). For selection into this course, results from your previous degree are considered. Applicants who have a low Grade Point Average from their pervious degree are recommended to sit the STAT Multiple Choice test which can be registered for as part of your VTAC application. For further information regarding the STAT M, please visit the following web link:
http://www.latrobe.edu.au/nursing/HowToApply/STAT.php
I completed a Bachelor degree overseas, can I still apply for the Graduate Entry program?
We warmly welcome applicants who have completed a Bachelor degree overseas however as part of your application, you will need to provide evidence that your overseas study is the equivalent to an Australian Bachelors degree. Applicants in this category will need to apply for NOOSR Recognition (National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition) and must submit a letter provided by NOOSR at the time of application which clearly states that the overseas qualification is equivalent to an Australian Bachelor degree. For further information, please refer to the following web link:
http://www.latrobe.edu.au/nursing/HowToApply/
If you are an international student wishing to study at La Trobe please visit:
http://www.latrobe.edu.au/international
Is there a bridging program that I need to complete?
If you are successful in gaining an offer into either the Bachelor of Nursing (Division 2 Conversion) or the Bachelor of Nursing (Graduate Entry) program you must complete the La Trobe University short course in Anatomy and Physiology. However if you are enrolling in the Bachelor of Nursing (Graduate Entry) program and your previous degree was in a Health Sciences/Human Bioscience area you may be eligible to apply for credit and therefore be exempt from the short course in Anatomy and Physiology.
The short course covers basic Anatomy and Physiology, and is offered in a block mode (intensive) course prior to the start of Semester 1 (dates vary between the Campuses). The short course must be successfully completed as part of the pre-requisite entry into either the Graduate Entry or Division 2 Conversion course. Applicants who do not successfully complete the short course will not be permitted to continue with their enrolment.
2009 applicants should note that as part of a minor restructure of both courses there may also be a 1 week compulsory orientation held prior to the beginning of semester 1 which must be successfully completed. Information relevant to this will be made available in the near future.
Further information regarding the short course in Anatomy and Physiology can be located via the following web link:
http://www.latrobe.edu.au/humanbio/
Can I do the course part-time?
With the exception of the Bachelor of Nursing (Division 2 Conversion) offered at the Mildura and Shepparton campuses, all Nursing courses are only available full-time. However, you can discuss the possibility of reducing your study load with the Division of Nursing & Midwifery once you have enrolled in the course.
We try to be as flexible as possible, and realise that many students, in particular non Year 12 applicants, have life commitments that demand time. However, there will be times in our program where students have to be available full time (eg: clinical placements will be 35 -40 hours a week)
How much clinical experience will I get?
There are approximately 24 weeks of clinical placement across the 3 year (78 week) Bachelor of Nursing. As well as this, many hours are spent in the oncampus Nursing Labs learning and practicing skills. Students enrolling at the Bundoora campus will predominantly spend their final year at either The Alfred or Austin Health where the majority of lectures, tutorials and clinical placements will be completed.
Where will I complete my clinical placements?
La Trobe University has affiliations with many Metropolitan and Regional Hospitals including The Alfred, Austin Health, Bundoora Extended Care Centre, Mercy Hospital for Women, Goulburn Valley, Mildura Base, Albury-Wodonga Private and Bendigo Health.
Clinical placements are held in numerous locations including the above and although the Division will attempt to place students in venues that are as close as possible to either home or the University campus, there will be times when students may need to travel some distance to attend clinical. The travel time varies depending on the campus of enrolment and availability of clinical placements however as an example, it is not uncommon for students enrolled at the Bundoora campus, to travel in excess of an hour to attend some clinical placements.
How much will a Nursing degree cost?
As Nursing is a National Priority and is at the lower end of the HECS banding it is one of the least expensive HECS courses available.
Information regarding HECS & Full Fee prices are available via the following web link:
http://www.latrobe.edu.au/acadserv/current/fees.html
The 2009 Fees are currently being updated and should be available by October 2008 at the above link.
Are there any additional costs?
Yes, there will be some additional costs throughout the course. Items such as: Textbooks, Clinical Uniform, Stethoscope, ID Badge, Watch, Police Checks and Immunisations will need to be purchased throughout our courses. There could also be travelling and accommodation costs relating specifically to clinical placements in some circumstances.
What are my employment prospects?
In previous years all of our graduating students have received employment in one of their preferred hospitals through the graduate computer match program and La Trobe Nursing Graduates are highly regarded in the work force.
Do I need to sit the STAT Multiple Choice test, and what is it?
Depending on your background and the course for which you are applying, you may need to sit the STAT test. For further detailed information, please refer to the following web link:
http://www.latrobe.edu.au/nursing/HowToApply/STAT.php
Can I defer my offer until 2010?
Yes, you can defer your offer until 2010.
Can I transfer between campuses?
Students who have successfully completed one year of full time study are eligible to apply for an Internal Course Transfer in order to transfer their Nursing studies to another campus or to transfer into an entirely different course offered by La Trobe University. Generally speaking, students wishing to apply for a Nursing transfer are expected to maintain a B grade (70%) average within the first year of study.
Can I study a Bachelor of Nursing via Distance Education?
La Trobe University currently only offer full time, face to face study within Undergraduate Nursing. With the new curriculum there will be a move towards more flexible learning options however students will not be able to complete the entire course via Distance Education.
I completed a Bachelor of Nursing at a University other than La Trobe, can I apply for Honours at La Trobe?
Yes, applications into Honours are considered on an Academic Merit Basis only. It does not matter which University the Bachelor was completed at, as long as applicants meet the Academic Merit criteria. Applicants wishing to apply for Honours at La Trobe University are required to submit an application direct to the Division of Nursing and Midwifery and must include a certified copy of their Academic Transcript. Application forms are available online via the following link:
http://www.latrobe.edu.au/nursing/ProspectiveStudents/Undergraduate/index.php
Can I apply for credit / recognition of prior learning?
If you have already started a Bachelor of Nursing at another institution, you may apply for credit. This is known at La Trobe as an Application for Advanced Standing. The Application for Advanced Standing will only be reviewed after enrolment and must be accompanied by a certified copy of your transcript and unit guide information from your previous institution. Due to the strict guidelines dictated by the Nurses Board of Victoria (NBV), prior study must exactly match our curriculum at La Trobe in order to be granted. If you have completed several years of study towards a Bachelor of Nursing, you should be aware that you may still be required to complete a large number of first and second year units.
Although every attempt is made to ensure that the information contained within this FAQ sheet is accurate, the University accepts no responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the information.