Undergraduate
Bachelor of Nursing
2021
The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia have made changes to the English language skills registration standard. Please refer to their website for further information www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Registration-Standards/English-language-skills.aspx.
The Bachelor of Nursing is a professionally accredited degree that meets the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) qualification criterion for registration as a Division 1 nurse in Australia. As a graduate of the Bachelor of Nursing, you are prepared to be a safe, collaborative, articulate and ethical registered nurse who is responsive to local, national and regional health care needs and aware of emerging global health care trends.
The course is offered externally (online) and internally (on campus). The semester 2 intake is only available externally (online). All students are required to complete a full-time on-campus simulation block at an approved CDU venue in each year level of the course, as preparation for clinical placement. CDU allocates places in simulation blocks and cannot guarantee a place at a specific venue. All costs associated with attendance at simulation blocks are your responsibility.
You will complete supervised clinical placements (880 hours in total) across the three years of the course in a variety of health care settings, including opportunities to participate in international study tours and exchanges that are in addition to the required 880 hours and at student's own cost. All students, regardless of your study mode or pattern, are required to complete clinical placement on a full time, rotating shift basis across a seven-day week roster, including night shifts, weekends and public holidays. CDU arranges all placements and cannot guarantee that placements will be arranged in the semester of enrolment or near your residential location. All costs associated with placement attendance are your responsibility. Non-acceptance of placement or placement arranged outside of semester of enrolment may impact completing the Bachelor of Nursing within 3 years.
As a nursing student, you will be required to have an inherent set of qualities. Nursing requires a degree of physical strength and mobility, endurance, communication and cognitive abilities for safe practice. If you think you may experience challenges in meeting the inherent requirements for nursing, you are encouraged to contact the Bachelor of Nursing Course Coordinator to discuss any concerns you may have before enrolling in the course.
Reporting obligations: Under the national Health Practitioner Regulation National Law, CDU is required to register nursing students with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and to notify AHPRA if a student has or develops a health impairment that may place the public at substantial risk of harm. More information available at NMBA Student Registration.
Career opportunities
Graduating from this course may lead to career opportunities in public and private hospitals and medical clinics in areas such as mental health, community health, acute and chronic care.
Professional recognition
Graduates of this course are eligible to apply for registration with the Health Licensing Authority (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia).
Credit transfers & pathways
Pathways for VET to Higher Education
Guaranteed credit transfer arrangements are available to students commencing a bachelor degree at Charles Darwin University with completed Certificate IV, Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree qualifications in the same field or discipline. Students who hold completed qualifications should refer to the additional information provided about Advanced Standing and Credit Transfer and Pathways using the links below:
Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education
For information about credit transfer available to students with complete or incomplete study at this or other Institutions refer to Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education
For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU
International applications
-
There are no statistics available for this course. It may be that the course is new or the profile data is unavailable.
-
This course is accredited by the University in accordance with the Higher Education Standards.
-
Australian qualification framework
This course is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7.
Contact details
For further information about the course, enrolment procedures, closing dates and other administrative issues please contact Student Central on:
Admission criteria
Admission requirements are met by one of the following:
- Successful completion of the Northern Territory Certificate of Education and Training (or equivalent) and the awarding of an Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) of at least 60*.
- Successful completion of a national qualification at Certificate IV level or higher.
- Successful completion of at least 0.5 year of full-time study (or equivalent) of a higher education degree/diploma.
- Overseas secondary or tertiary qualifications considered equivalent to the above Australian qualifications.
- Attainment of a STAT Multiple Choice score of 135 (or a score of 145 if prior to May 2010).
- Successful completion of the Tertiary Enabling Program, the Preparation for Tertiary Success courses, or other recognised tertiary preparation course.
- Submission of an acceptable personal competencies statement and/or employment experience.
* After any applicable adjustment factors have been applied.
Additional admission requirements
Nursing students must meet a specific level of English language proficiency before they start in a course.
You can show English language proficiency by:
- completing a declaration that English is your primary language, or
- sitting an English language proficiency test.
All applicants are required to meet the English Language Skills Registration Standard as outlined by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) at www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/.
Applicants will be required to submit the following via their UAC/SATAC application to demonstrate they meet the above standard prior to being included in offer rounds in one of the following ways:
1. PRIMARY LANGUAGE PATHWAY:
A signed English Language Declaration indicating the following:
- English is their primary language; and
- They have attended and satisfactorily completed at least six years of primary and secondary education taught and assessed solely in English in a recognised country*, including at least two years between years 7 and 12.
*Recognised countries: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom, and USA.
OR
2. ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEST PATHWAY
Applicants have achieved and can supply evidence of the required minimum scores in one of the following English language tests:
- IELTS (Academic) Minimum Scores
Band score of 7.0 in all bands
(IELTS Indicator test is not accepted) - TOEFL Minimum Scores
Internet-based: total score of 94 with a minimum of 27 in Writing, 23 in Speaking and 24 in Reading and Listening
(TOEFL Home edition test is not accepted) - Pearson Test of English (Academic) Minimum Scores
Overall score of 65 AND Skills profile of 65 in Writing, Speaking, Reading and Listening - Occupational English Test (OET)
A minimum result of B/score of 350 in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking).
TOEFL Home edition and IELTS Indicator tests are not accepted for entry to Nursing and Midwifery courses
Essential requirements
To gain entry into Charles Darwin University, all Higher Education applicants must satisfy the University's English Language Proficiency Requirements for their chosen course of study. International applicants will be required to supply evidence of this at the time of application.
The minimum English language requirement for this course is met by either:
- providing a declaration that English is your primary language and you have attended and satisfactorily completed at least six (6) years of continuous education that is equivalent to secondary education taught and assessed in English in one of the recognised countries*, including at least two years between years 7 and 12.
(*recognised countries include Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom or United States of America) - undertaking one of the following English language tests and obtaining the minimum requirements listed below.
IELTS Academic Module | A minimum overall score of 7.0 with no band less than 7.0. |
Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) | Test not accepted for this course. |
Common European Framework Certificate of English Proficiency | Test not accepted for this course. |
Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic module | A minimum overall pass of 65 and 65 across all modules (reading, writing, speaking and listening). |
TOEFL Internet-based Test (iBT) | A minimum overall score of 94 and a minimum 24 for listening, 24 for reading, 27 for writing and 23 for speaking. |
* All tests are valid for one year from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU, unless otherwise specified.
* Where applicable, international applicants must also satisfy the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) English language requirements for student visa applications.
Do you have a question regarding English requirements at CDU? Please email: international@cdu.edu.au.
Pre-clinical requirements:
Students must provide proof that they have met all university and State/Territory pre-clinical requirements before they can undertake those units that include clinical placements. These requirements include, but are not limited to, immunisation requirements, Senior First Aid qualification, annual criminal record checks and/or working with children clearances and/or fitness-to-practice requirements.
ATAR profile
There are no statistics available for this course. It may be that the course is new or the profile data is unavailable.
Course structure
Twenty-one (21) compulsory core units provide students with essential knowledge that underpins a population health and person-centred approach to nursing practice when caring for people with acute and chronic health problems. The specialist elective unit provides greater depth of knowledge and allows students to study a generalised or specialty subjects in which they have a specific interest.
In 2021 simulation blocks will be offered at Darwin and Sydney Campuses and also in Perth and Melbourne.
A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 240 credit points (cp) as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless indicated.
Unit type | Credit Points | Specific requirements |
Core Units (21 units) |
240cp |
Compulsory Core units totalling 240 credit points as detailed below. NUR115 Primary Healthcare |
Electives (0 units) |
0cp |
There are no Elective units available in this course. |
240cp | Total Credit Points |
Students who commenced in or after 2013
No more than 20 credit points shall be counted with a grade of "PC" in a Bachelor AQF Level 7 course award and no more than 10 credit points at "PC" may be received at the highest level of the program of learning.
Of the total 240 credit points: (unless specified in the specific course structure above)
* not more than 100 credit points may be taken from 100 level units
* a minimum of 60 credit points must be taken from 300 level units or above
Students should refer to the current Grading Policy and Common Course Rules for further information.
Study plan
Students Commencing in SEMESTER 1
FULL-TIME and PART-TIME
The Recommended Study Plans provided below are suitable for students commencing in semester 1 with:
(a) No previous nursing qualifications; or
(b) Diploma Enrolled Nursing qualifications
and enrolling in a standard FULL-TIME or PART-TIME load.
It is recommended students follow one of the recommended plans below.
- seek advice from the Course Coordinator if you need to deviate from one of the recommended plans; and
- always check the assumed knowledge and pre-requisite unit requirements for each unit as some 200 and 300 level units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the subject area at a lower level. 200 level units have the unit code which includes a number starting with 200 i.e. NUR252.
- regularly check your academic progress in your CDU MyStudentInfo account.
Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective | PR = Practical Required |
1.1 (a) FULL-TIME no previous nursing qualifications
NUR257 and NUR258 are co-requisites – students must enrol in both units for the same study period
Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
Year 1 | |||
SBI171 Anatomy and Physiology 1 | CO | SBI172 Anatomy and Physiology 2 | CO |
NUR130 Introduction to Health and Wellbeing* | CO | NUR133 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health | CO |
NUR131 Professional Practice | CO | NUR115 Primary Healthcare | CO |
NUR132 Communication for Person-centred Practice | CO | NUR134 Professional Experience Placement 1** | PR |
Year 2 | |||
NUR252 Digital Technology in Healthcare | CO | NUR256 Research and Evidence Based Practice | CO |
SBI242 Pharmacology for Clinical Practice | CO | NUR257 Professional Experience Placement 2** | PR |
SBI241 Pathophysiology for Healthcare | CO | NUR258 Mental Health (Theory and Placement 3)** (20cp) | PR |
NUR255 Challenges to Health and Wellbeing* | CO | ||
Year 3 | |||
NUR366 Complex Care* (20cp) | CO | NUR369 Nursing Practice Project | CO |
NUR367 Leadership for Nursing Practice | CO | NUR370 Professional Experience Placement 4** | PR |
NUR368 Global Health: Social Justice and Sustainability | CO | NUR410 Professional Experience Placement 5** (20cp) | PR |
* Simulation block: Students are required to attend a 32 hour (4 days) on-campus simulation block as a part of this unit.
** Work Integrated Learning: Students are required to attend the clinical placement hours as allocated by CDU Placement Office.
1.1 (b) PART-TIME no previous nursing qualifications
NUR257 and NUR258 are co-requisites – students must enrol in both units for the same study period
Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
Year 1 | |||
SBI171 Anatomy and Physiology 1 | CO | SBI172 Anatomy and Physiology 2 | CO |
NUR131 Professional Practice | CO | NUR133 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health | CO |
Year 2 | |||
NUR132 Communication for Person-centred Practice | CO | NUR115 Primary Healthcare | CO |
NUR130 Introduction to Health and Wellbeing* | CO | NUR134 Professional Experience Placement 1** | PR |
Year 3 | |||
NUR252 Digital Technology in Healthcare | CO | NUR256 Research and Evidence Based Practice | CO |
SBI241 Pathophysiology for Healthcare | CO | SBI242 Pharmacology for Clinical Practice | CO |
Year 4 | |||
NUR255 Challenges to Health and Wellbeing* | CO CO |
NUR257 Professional Experience Placement 2** | PR |
NUR258 Mental Health (Theory and Placement 3)** (20cp) | PR | ||
Year 5 | |||
NUR366 Complex Care * (20cp) | CO | NUR369 Nursing Practice Project | CO |
NUR370 Professional Experience Placement 4** | PR | ||
Year 6 | |||
NUR367 Leadership for Nursing Practice | CO | NUR410 Professional Experience Placement 5** (20cp) | PR |
NUR368 Global Health: Social Justice and Sustainability | CO |
* Simulation block: Students are required to attend a 32 hour (4 days) on-campus simulation block as a part of this unit.
** Work Integrated Learning: Students are required to attend the clinical placement hours as allocated by CDU Placement Office.
1.2 (a) FULL-TIME with Diploma Enrolled Nursing qualifications
NUR257 and NUR258 are co-requisites – students must enrol in both units for the same study period
Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
Year 1 | |||
NUR252 Digital Technology in Healthcare | CO | NUR256 Research and Evidence Based Practice | CO |
SBI242 Pharmacology for Clinical Practice | CO | NUR257 Professional Experience Placement 2** | PR |
SBI241 Pathophysiology for Healthcare | CO | NUR258 Mental Health (Theory and Placement 3)** (20cp) | PR |
NUR255 Challenges to Health and Wellbeing* | CO | ||
Year 2 | |||
NUR366 Complex Care * (20cp) | CO | NUR369 Nursing Practice Project | CO |
NUR367 Leadership for Nursing Practice | CO | NUR370 Professional Experience Placement 4** | PR |
NUR368 Global Health: Social Justice and Sustainability | CO | NUR410 Professional Experience Placement 5** (20cp) | PR |
* Simulation block: Students are required to attend a 32 hour (4 days) on-campus simulation block as a part of this unit.
** Work Integrated Learning: Students are required to attend the clinical placement hours as allocated by CDU Placement Office.
1.2 (b) PART-TIME with Diploma Enrolled Nursing qualifications
NUR257 and NUR258 are co-requisites – students must enrol in both units for the same study period
Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
Year 1 | |||
NUR252 Digital Technology in Healthcare | CO | NUR256 Research and Evidence Based Practice | CO |
SBI241 Pathophysiology for Healthcare | CO | SBI242 Pharmacology for Clinical Practice | PR |
Year 2 | |||
NUR255 Challenges to Health and Wellbeing* | CO | NUR257 Professional Experience Placement 2** | PR |
NUR258 Mental Health (Theory and Placement 3)** (20cp) | PR | ||
Year 3 | |||
NUR366 Complex Care * (20cp) | CO | NUR369 Nursing Practice Project | CO |
NUR370 Professional Experience Placement 4** | PR | ||
Year 4 | |||
NUR367 Leadership for Nursing Practice | CO | NUR410 Professional Experience Placement 5** (20cp) | PR |
NUR368 Global Health: Social Justice and Sustainability | CO |
* Simulation block: Students are required to attend a 32 hour (4 days) on-campus simulation block as a part of this unit.
** Work Integrated Learning: Students are required to attend the clinical placement hours as allocated by CDU Placement Office.
INTERNATIONAL (Offshore) commencement 2021
The following revised study plan is for International students commencing in 2021 who are unable to be on campus at the commencement of Semester 1 due to travel restrictions.
1.3 (a) FULL-TIME no previous nursing qualifications
NUR257 and NUR258 are co-requisites – students must enrol in both units for the same study period
Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective | E = Elective |
Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Study Period 1 (January 2022 | |||
Year 1 (revised for SS 2020) | |||||
SBI171 Anatomy and Physiology 1 | CO | SBI172 Anatomy and Physiology 2 | CO | NUR134 Professional Experience Placement 1** | CO |
NUR131 Professional Practice | CO | NUR133 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health | CO | ||
NUR132 Communication for Person-centred Practice | CO | NUR115 Primary Healthcare | CO | ||
NUR130 Introduction to Health and Wellbeing* | CO | ||||
Year 2 | |||||
NUR252 Digital Technology in Healthcare | CO | NUR256 Research and Evidence Based Practice | CO | ||
SBI242 Pharmacology for Clinical Practice | CO | NUR257 Professional Experience Placement 2** | |||
SBI241 Pathophysiology for Healthcare | CO | NUR258 Mental Health (Theory and Placement 3)** (20cp) | CO | ||
NUR255 Challenges to Health and Wellbeing* | CO | ||||
Year 3 | |||||
NUR366 Complex Care* (20cp) | CO | NUR369 Nursing Practice Project | CO | ||
NUR367 Leadership for Nursing Practice | CO | NUR370 Professional Experience Placement 4** | CO | ||
NUR368 Global Health: Social Justice and Sustainability | CO | NUR410 Professional Experience Placement 5** (20cp) | CO |
* Simulation block: Students are required to attend a 32 hour (4 days) on-campus simulation block as a part of this unit.
** Work Integrated Learning: Students are required to attend the clinical placement hours as allocated by CDU Placement Office.
Students Commencing in SEMESTER 2
FULL-TIME and PART-TIME
The Recommended Study Plans provided below are suitable for domestic students commencing externally online in Semester 2 with:
(a) No previous nursing qualifications; or
(b) Diploma Enrolled Nursing qualifications
and enrolling in a standard FULL-TIME or PART-TIME load.
It is recommended students follow one of the recommended plans below.
- seek advice from the Course Coordinator if you need to deviate from one of the recommended plans; and
- always check the assumed knowledge and pre-requisite unit requirements for each unit as some 200 and 300 level units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the subject area at a lower level. 200 level units have the unit code which includes a number starting with 200 i.e. NUR252.
- regularly check your academic progress in your CDU MyStudentInfo account.
Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective | PR = Practical Required |
2.1 (a) FULL-TIME no previous nursing qualifications
NUR257 and NUR258 are co-requisites – students must enrol in both units for the same study period
Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
Year 1 | |||
CO | SBI171 Anatomy and Physiology 1 | CO | |
CO | NUR133 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health | CO | |
CO | NUR115 Primary Healthcare | CO | |
CO | NUR130 Introduction to Health and Wellbeing* | CO | |
Year 2 | |||
SBI172 Anatomy and Physiology 2 | CO | NUR256 Research and Evidence Based Practice | CO |
NUR131 Professional Practice | CO | SBI242 Pharmacology for Clinical Practice | CO |
NUR132 Communication for Person-centred Practice | CO | SBI241 Pathophysiology for Healthcare | CO |
NUR134 Professional Experience Placement 1** | PR | NUR255 Challenges to Health and Wellbeing* | CO |
Year 3 | |||
NUR252 Digital Technology in Healthcare | CO | NUR366 Complex Care* (20cp) | CO |
NUR257 Professional Experience Placement 2** | PR | NUR368 Global Health: Social Justice and Sustainability | CO |
NUR258 Mental Health (Theory and Placement 3)** (20cp) | PR | NUR369 Nursing Practice Project | CO |
Year 4 | |||
NUR367 Leadership for Nursing Practice | CO | ||
NUR370 Professional Experience Placement 4** | PR | ||
NUR410 Professional Experience Placement 5** (20cp) | PR |
* Simulation block: Students are required to attend a 32 hour (4 days) on-campus simulation block as a part of this unit.
** Work Integrated Learning: Students are required to attend the clinical placement hours as allocated by CDU Placement Office.
2.1 (b) PART-TIME no previous nursing qualifications
NUR257 and NUR258 are co-requisites – students must enrol in both units for the same study period
Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
Year 1 | |||
CO | SBI171 Anatomy and Physiology 1 | CO | |
CO | NUR115 Primary Healthcare | CO | |
Year 2 | |||
NUR131 Professional Practice | CO | NUR130 Introduction to Health and Wellbeing* | CO |
SBI172 Anatomy and Physiology 2 | CO | NUR133 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health | CO |
Year 3 | |||
NUR132 Communication for Person-centred Practice | CO | NUR256 Research and Evidence Based Practice | CO |
NUR134 Professional Experience Placement 1** | PR | SBI241 Pathophysiology for Healthcare | CO |
Year 4 | |||
NUR252 Digital Technology in Healthcare | CO | NUR255 Challenges to Health and Wellbeing* | CO |
SBI242 Pharmacology for Clinical Practice | CO | ||
Year 5 | |||
NUR257 Professional Experience Placement 2** | CO | NUR366 Complex Care * (20cp) | CO |
NUR258 Mental Health (Theory and Placement 3)** (20cp) | PR | NUR369 Nursing Practice Project | CO |
Year 6 | |||
NUR367 Leadership for Nursing Practice | CO | NUR370 Professional Experience Placement 4** | PR |
NUR368 Global Health: Social Justice and Sustainability | CO | ||
Year 7 | |||
NUR410 Professional Experience Placement 5** (20cp) | PR |
* Simulation block: Students are required to attend a 32 hour (4 days) on-campus simulation block as a part of this unit.
** Work Integrated Learning: Students are required to attend the clinical placement hours as allocated by CDU Placement Office.
2.2 (a) FULL-TIME with Diploma Enrolled Nursing qualifications
NUR257 and NUR258 are co-requisites – students must enrol in both units for the same study period
Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
Year 1 | |||
NUR256 Research and Evidence Based Practice | CO | ||
SBI242 Pharmacology for Clinical Practice | CO | ||
SBI241 Pathophysiology for Healthcare | CO | ||
NUR255 Challenges to Health and Wellbeing* | CO | ||
Year 2 | |||
NUR252 Digital Technology in Healthcare | CO | NUR366 Complex Care * (20cp) | CO |
NUR257 Professional Experience Placement 2** | PR | NUR368 Global Health: Social Justice and Sustainability | CO |
NUR258 Mental Health (Theory and Placement 3)** (20cp) | PR | NUR369 Nursing Practice Project | CO |
Year 3 | |||
NUR367 Leadership for Nursing Practice | CO | ||
NUR370 Professional Experience Placement 4** | PR | ||
NUR410 Professional Experience Placement 5** (20cp) | PR |
* Simulation block: Students are required to attend a 32 hour (4 days) on-campus simulation block as a part of this unit.
** Work Integrated Learning: Students are required to attend the clinical placement hours as allocated by CDU Placement Office.
2.2 (b) PART-TIME with Diploma Enrolled Nursing qualifications
NUR257 and NUR258 are co-requisites – students must enrol in both units for the same study period
Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
Year 1 | |||
CO | NUR256 Research and Evidence Based Practice | CO | |
CO | SBI241 Pathophysiology for Healthcare | CO | |
Year 2 | |||
NUR252 Digital Technology in Healthcare | CO | NUR255 Challenges to Health and Wellbeing* | CO |
SBI242 Pharmacology for Clinical Practice | CO | ||
Year 3 | |||
NUR257 Professional Experience Placement 2** | PR | NUR366 Complex Care * (20cp) | CO |
NUR258 Mental Health (Theory and Placement 3)** (20cp) | PR | NUR369 Nursing Practice Project | CO |
Year 4 | |||
NUR367 Leadership for Nursing Practice | CO | NUR370 Professional Experience Placement 4** | PR |
NUR368 Global Health: Social Justice and Sustainability | CO | ||
Year 5 | |||
NUR410 Professional Experience Placement 5** (20cp) | PR |
* Simulation block: Students are required to attend a 32 hour (4 days) on-campus simulation block as a part of this unit.
** Work Integrated Learning: Students are required to attend the clinical placement hours as allocated by CDU Placement Office.
Course fees
Commonwealth supported places
Commonwealth Supported places are available in this course to students who meet one of the following residency requirements:
(a) Australian Citizenship; or
(b) a New Zealand citizen or a permanent resident visa holder who will be resident within Australia for the duration of the unit.
2021: Information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.
International tuition fees
The annual tuition fee for full time study of 80 credit points (1.0 EFTSL) for commencing students in 2021 is AUD $32,320.00.
These fees are subject to annual increases each year of your study, effective at the start of each calendar year.
You can find a list of International fees and payments you can expect to pay as part of your studies in Australia.
CDU offers a number of scholarships to international students to assist with the cost of study.