Course overview

Deakin's Bachelor of Nursing gives you the knowledge, skills and ethical understanding you need to become a successful registered nurse – launching you into a career where you can make a real difference. Ranked #20 in the world*, this course prepares you to provide high-quality, safe, patient-centred care in a range of settings. Our state-of-the-art Clinical Simulation Centres, which replicate real-world health service facilities, to prepare you for your clinical placements.

Clinical placements begin in Trimester 1 of first year and continue throughout every trimester of the course, totalling 800 hours. Clinical placements enable you to care for people from diverse cultural backgrounds in a range of healthcare settings, enabling application of knowledge and further development of technical and non-technical skills. They are undertaken in various metropolitan, regional and rural healthcare settings and are supported by qualified and experienced clinicians.

Ready to get hands-on experience in a clinical setting as soon as you begin studying?

Under the supervision of registered nurses, you will gain real-world experience by working with multidisciplinary healthcare teams across areas including:

• acute/sub-acute care
• medical and surgical care
• aged care
• rehabilitation
• paediatrics
• community nursing
• mental health nursing.

Ranked in the top 1% of universities globally*, our School of Nursing and Midwifery is one of Australia’s most research-active schools and boasts some of the best facilities and resources available. Our Clinical Simulation Centres provide a safe, supportive and realistic environment for you to develop and hone essential nursing skills.

Deakin’s Bachelor of Nursing is developed in consultation with our healthcare partners, ensuring you’re always connected to those at the forefront of industry. The course is accredited by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) and approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA), enabling clear career outcomes upon graduation.

Course structure

To complete the Bachelor of Nursing students must attain 24 credit points. Units (think of units as 'subjects') may be worth 1 or 2 credit points - check each unit for its credit point value in the course structure below. Most students choose to study 4 credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters each year.

The course comprises a total of 24 credit points which must include 21 core credit points (these are compulsory) and 3 elective units (you can choose which ones to study) worth 3 credit points.

There is an expectation that you are available to undertake clinical placements outside of trimester dates. All expenses associated with clinical placements are your responsibility.

Intakes by location

The availability of a course varies across locations and intakes. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Check each intake for up-to-date information on when and where you can commence your studies.

Additional course information

Course duration - additional information

Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.

Mandatory student checks

Department of Health – Safety Screening Requirements - Police Record Check, Working With Children Check and Immunisation Status

Police Record Check

In accordance with the Department of Health policy, all students are required to undertake a Police Record Check prior to clinical placements in each calendar year of their course. Students who fail to obtain a Police Record Check prior to the commencement of clinical placement will not be able to undertake clinical placement and this will impede progress in the course.

Working With Children Check

In accordance with the Worker Screening Act 2020, all students are required to undertake a Working with Children Check at the commencement of their course. Students who fail to obtain a Working with Children Check prior to the commencement of clinical placement will not be able to undertake clinical placement and this will impede progress in the course.

Immunisation Status

Students are required to declare their immunisation status to satisfy the requirements of health organisations where they will be undertaking their clinical learning experience. A health organisation may refuse to accept a student for placement if the student’s immunisation status is not satisfactory to the health organisation.

Workload

As a student in the Faculty of Health you can expect to participate in a range of learning activities each week. This may include classes, seminars, simulations, and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.

Participation requirements

Clinical placement can occur at any time, including during the standard holiday breaks.

Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability.

Inherent requirements

A number of inherent requirements are essential to safely perform the skills and functions of the nursing role and consequently to undertake and successfully complete the course. Learn more about the School of Nursing and Midwifery's Undergraduate Courses Inherent Requirements.

Work experience

Clinical practice

Clinical placements are conducted throughout your course beginning in Trimester 1 of your first year. This early exposure to the clinical environment gives you extensive opportunities to develop clinical skills under the supervision of registered nurses and enables you to experience being part of a multidisciplinary health care team. You will gain clinical experience in a variety of settings including acute/sub-acute care, medical and surgical care, aged care, rehabilitation, community nursing and mental health nursing. These may be undertaken in hospitals and community health care centres in metropolitan, rural and regional areas.

Recognition of prior learning

If you have completed previous studies which you believe may reduce the number of units you have to complete at Deakin, indicate in the appropriate section on your application that you wish to be considered for Recognition of Prior Learning. You will need to provide a certified copy of your previous course details so your credit can be determined. If you are eligible, your offer letter will then contain information about your Recognition of Prior Learning.

Your Recognition of Prior Learning is formally approved prior to your enrolment at Deakin during the Enrolment and Orientation Program. You must bring original documents relating to your previous study so that this approval can occur.

You can also refer to the Recognition of Prior Learning System which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree.

Normal University regulations and guidelines will pertain to students who apply for Recognition of Prior Learning. The Deakin University policy on Recognition of Prior Learning states that students will be provided with the maximum credit for relevant approved post-secondary study, or informal learning, which exceeds the normal entry requirements for the relevant course. This may include previous completed or incomplete degrees, diplomas, TAFE awards and, in particular, a Diploma of Nursing. Students with Division 2 registration, or are eligible to register are entitled to apply for a maximum of eight (8) credit points of Recognition of Prior Learning.

In all cases, credit will need to be determined on a case-by-case basis with a maximum credit granted being consistent with University policy (Deakin University, Recognition of Prior Learning policy and procedure, July 2003) and the guidelines for Recognition of Prior Learning as approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.