Why Bachelor of Nursing?
Nurses are at the heart of our hospitals and health sector. They play a vital role in meeting today’s complex and evolving health needs.
Nursing is more than just a job. It's an exciting, challenging and rewarding profession, full of caring and resilient problem-solvers. Whether it’s at the height of a pandemic or delivering community care, nurses make a difference by providing quality treatment and support.
Get ready to put yourself at the forefront of patient care and develop your skills in this fulfilling and growing field.
Overview
The Bachelor of Nursing is a clinically focused degree, offering valuable industry insights and the best in nursing practice. Learn from experienced academic and clinical staff in our simulated hospital and health service environments where you can consolidate your learning and build confidence in your practice.
Complete 1000 placement hours, providing you opportunities to learn and experience the diversity of nursing practice and healthcare. Explore some of the latest technologies in healthcare including the use of 360 video and augmented reality.
This degree prepares you to meet the Registered Nurse standards for practice (2016) required for a registration as nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.
You will also have opportunities to further your studies and specialise in an area that meets your career aspirations.
You can also choose to study this program at our regional campuses in Mount Gambier and Whyalla.
Key features
Complete 1000 placement hours across a range of nursing practice environments.- Graduate eligible to register as a nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.
- Build skills in simulated environments under the guidance of experienced academics and clinicians.
- Engage with industry experts and get real-world nursing insights.
- Discover emerging technologies in nursing including 3600 video, augmented reality, artificial intelligence and machine learning.
- Collaborate with other healthcare disciplines including midwives, pharmacists, physiotherapists and physicians.
What you'll learn
Our Bachelor of Nursing is offered on campus in Adelaide, Whyalla and Mt Gambier, or you can choose to study primarily online, offering flexibility in how you choose to study.
Please note to meet accreditation requirements, some courses, workshops and clinical placements must be completed in-person.
In this degree you will explore contemporary nursing knowledge, research and practice and experience the diversity of clinical nursing practice. Coursework is designed to prepare you for your nursing career so you can be confident in meeting healthcare delivery needs.
From your first year, you'll begin clinical placements to help you build essential knowledge and professional skills. These placements continue throughout your second and third years, with a total of 880 hours of clinical experience across the degree. All clinical placements are conducted in healthcare settings, including metropolitan, regional, and rural hospitals and health services across South Australia.
First-year studies will also include courses on Human Biology 1 and Human Biology 2, Social and Political Determinants of Health and Aboriginal Health. These are designed to broaden your foundational knowledge across disciplines and topics.
You will also complete the following undergraduate courses as part of your studies:
- Becoming a Nursing Professional
- Health of Older People
- Scientific Basis of Clinical Practice
- Health of Infants, Children and Adolescents
- Mental Health Nursing
- Assessment, Diagnostics and Pharmacotherapeutics
- Health of Adults
- Transition to Professional Practice.
What courses you'll study
Complete 144 units comprising:
- 102 units for all Core courses, and
- 42 units for all Work integrated learning
Complete 102 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Course name
Human Biology 1
|
Course code
BIOL1001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Human Biology 2
|
Course code
BIOL1002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Becoming a Nursing Professional
|
Course code
NURS1000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Aboriginal Health
|
Course code
NURS1001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Health of Older People
|
Course code
NURS1002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Social and Political Determinants of Health
|
Course code
NURS1003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Health of Adults
|
Course code
NURS2001
|
Units
12
|
|
|
Course name
Scientific Basis of Nursing Practice
|
Course code
NURS2002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Health of Infants, Children and Adolescents
|
Course code
NURS2003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Mental Health Nursing
|
Course code
NURS2004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Health Assessment, Diagnostics and Pharmacotherapeutics
|
Course code
NURS2005
|
Units
12
|
|
|
Course name
Evidence Based Nursing Practice
|
Course code
NURS3001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Primary Health Care Nursing
|
Course code
NURS3002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Transition to Professional Practice
|
Course code
NURS3003
|
Units
12
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
 |
Course name
Human Biology 1
|
Course code
BIOL1001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Becoming a Nursing Professional
|
Course code
NURS1000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Social and Political Determinants of Health
|
Course code
NURS1003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Professional Experience Placement 1
|
Course code
NURS1901
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Human Biology 2
|
Course code
BIOL1002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Aboriginal Health
|
Course code
NURS1001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Health of Older People
|
Course code
NURS1002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Professional Experience Placement 2
|
Course code
NURS1902
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Health of Adults
|
Course code
NURS2001
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Scientific Basis of Nursing Practice
|
Course code
NURS2002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Professional Experience Placement 3
|
Course code
NURS2901
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Health of Infants, Children and Adolescents
|
Course code
NURS2003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Mental Health Nursing
|
Course code
NURS2004
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Health Assessment, Diagnostics and Pharmacotherapeutics
|
Course code
NURS2005
|
Units
12
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Evidence Based Nursing Practice
|
Course code
NURS3001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Primary Health Care Nursing
|
Course code
NURS3002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Professional Experience Placement 4
|
Course code
NURS3900
|
Units
12
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Transition to Professional Practice
|
Course code
NURS3003
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Professional Experience Placement 5
|
Course code
NURS3901
|
Units
12
|
Complete 42 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Professional Experience Placement 1
|
Course code
NURS1901
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Professional Experience Placement 2
|
Course code
NURS1902
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Professional Experience Placement 3
|
Course code
NURS2901
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Professional Experience Placement 4
|
Course code
NURS3900
|
Units
12
|
|
|
Course name
Professional Experience Placement 5
|
Course code
NURS3901
|
Units
12
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Human Biology 1
|
Course code
BIOL1001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Becoming a Nursing Professional
|
Course code
NURS1000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Social and Political Determinants of Health
|
Course code
NURS1003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Professional Experience Placement 1
|
Course code
NURS1901
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Human Biology 2
|
Course code
BIOL1002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Aboriginal Health
|
Course code
NURS1001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Health of Older People
|
Course code
NURS1002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Professional Experience Placement 2
|
Course code
NURS1902
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Health of Adults
|
Course code
NURS2001
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Scientific Basis of Nursing Practice
|
Course code
NURS2002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Professional Experience Placement 3
|
Course code
NURS2901
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Health of Infants, Children and Adolescents
|
Course code
NURS2003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Mental Health Nursing
|
Course code
NURS2004
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Health Assessment, Diagnostics and Pharmacotherapeutics
|
Course code
NURS2005
|
Units
12
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Evidence Based Nursing Practice
|
Course code
NURS3001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Primary Health Care Nursing
|
Course code
NURS3002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Professional Experience Placement 4
|
Course code
NURS3900
|
Units
12
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Transition to Professional Practice
|
Course code
NURS3003
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Professional Experience Placement 5
|
Course code
NURS3901
|
Units
12
|
Career outcomes
Be ready to embark on a career as a registered nurse, working at the forefront of a dynamic and vital industry.
Your career options as a healthcare professional will be extensive. You could practise in a variety of settings, including:
- Public or private hospitals
- Community support services
- Aged and rehabilitative care
- Schools
- Home care
- Drug and alcohol treatment centres
- Community health organisations
- Mental health services
- International aid agencies
- Corrections facilities
- Policy and management
- Tertiary education.
Industry trends
Demand for nurses is strong and growing. The World Health Organization predicts a shortage of nurses worldwide, estimating the total number of nursing graduates will need to increase by 8% each year by 2030 to meet demand (World Health Organization, 2020).
Accreditation
The program is undergoing accreditation by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) and will be offered following approval by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).
Ready to apply?
Your campus
You'll be studying at one of our renowned campuses, accessing cutting-edge facilities and contemporary study spaces.
Study hours
Your courses will require a combination of different learning formats, including lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Aside from your classes, you’ll also need to allocate additional time for independent study. This may include assignments, readings, projects and contributing to online discussion forums. As a rough guide, full-time studies may require 12-26 hours of class time and 14-18 hours of independent study per week.
Assessment
During your studies at Adelaide University, you’ll complete a mixture of practical, professional and research-based learning. Your assessment types will vary depending on the degree you’re studying, but may include:
- Case studies
- Essays and assignments
- Examinations
- Group projects
- Internships and placements
- Practicals
- Presentations
- Reports and project documentations
- Research projects
- Workplace and classroom contributions.
