Study Bachelor of Nursing (Whyalla) at the University of South Australia (UniSA). Information for Australian students.

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Entry requirements Degree overview Career outcomes How to apply Study experience

This degree is only available to Australian students

You're considered an Australian student if you are any of the following:

Australian or New Zealand Citizen
Australian Permanent Resident (including Permanent Humanitarian Visa holders)

Australian students

Start Date
February

Campus
Whyalla

Duration
3 year(s) full-time

Mode
On-campus/Online

Program Code
IBNU

SATAC Code
464071 (Internal)

Study as
Full-time or part-time

Fees
Commonwealth Supported

Prerequisites
None

Assumed Knowledge
None

Admissions
Student Profile

Entry Scores
2025 Guaranteed Entry
Year 12 (ATAR-based): 70.00
Year 12 (Grades-based): B,B,B
TAFE/RTO Note: Enrolled Nurse Certificate IV or Diploma in Nursing - both with current registration with NMBA
View Guaranteed Entry Info
2024 Cut-Offs
Year 12 (ATAR-based):
- Internal: 70.00
TAFE/RTO: Dip
View full entry requirements

Entry requirements

Admission criteria

The admission criteria have been grouped to assist you to easily find the information most relevant to your circumstances. However, you may fit into more than one and the university will consider applicants against each of the relevant criteria.

Certain conditions apply. For more information refer to Appendix 4 of the University's Selection and Entry policy.

Applicants are required to meet one of the following criteria with a competitive result, and demonstrate that they fulfil any prerequisite requirements and essential requirements for admission:

Recent secondary education
Meet any prerequisite requirements with a minimum grade of C- or equivalent
AND
- Qualify for the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE), and achieved a competitive Selection Rank (ATAR), or
- Complete secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE, or
- Complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum score of 24 points
Applicants who have not achieved the Selection Rank required for automatic selection may be selected for any remaining places based on the grades of their year 12 subjects.

Recent secondary education ATAR profile

OR
Higher education study
- Complete or partly complete a recognised higher education program at a recognised higher education institution, or
- Complete at least four Open Universities Australia (OUA) courses at undergraduate level or above
OR
Vocational Education and Training (VET)
- Complete an award from a registered training organisation at Diploma or above
OR
Work and life experience
- Qualify for Special Entry, or
- Complete a 12-month UniSA Foundation Studies program or equivalent, or
- Hold completed secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE obtained more than 2 years in the past, or
- Hold current registration as an Enrolled Nursing without conditions or restrictions to license with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).
Essential requirements for admission
To meet entry requirements, applicants must consider the professional registration requirements, including the English Language Skills standard and complete a declaration stating how they will demonstrate their English language competency, as determined by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).

All students must confirm that they meet the "Fitness to Practice in Clinical Placements" requirements upon entry to the program.
Prerequisites
None

Assumed Knowledge
None
View full entry requirements Hide full entry requirements

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This program includes mandatory on-campus workshops. All clinical placements must be undertaken in South Australia.

DOMESTIC STUDENT ONLY: This program is also offered on campus at City East and Mount Gambier.

Degree overview

Join one of Australia’s most trusted professions as a Registered Nurse and be ready to provide life-changing healthcare to people.
Study at a university ranked in the World Top 100 for nursing¹, from a localised regional campus in Whyalla.
Embark on 1,000 hours of nursing placements from your first year of study in varied clinical settings across South Australia.
Develop the knowledge, clinical skills and attitudes needed for professional practice.
Practice your skills in our clinician-led, authentic simulated hospital and health service on-campus under the guidance of expert clinical and academic staff.
Study with South Australia's No.1 university for graduate careers in nursing.²
Learn from academics and industry-experienced clinicians at a university with well above world-class research in nursing.³
Elevate your nursing career with lifelong learning, and upskill with further postgraduate study into clinical specialisations, management, or research roles.
Be supported by online learning resources, available to you 24/7.
UniSA is an unstoppable university for unstoppable people. As one of the World’s Top Young Universities,⁴ we’ll ensure you get the experience your future profession demands so it’ll feel like you’re studying one minute and in a career the next.

¹2024 QS Subject Rankings. ²ComparED (QILT) Graduate Outcomes Survey 2021-23 – Overall Employment Indicator (Domestic Undergraduate). SA public universities.³2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA). ⁴Ranked #43, 2024 THE Young University Rankings.

Snapshot

Nursing student.jpg

Start your unstoppable career in nursing at UniSA’s regional Whyalla campus, and become a highly sought-after health professional, caring for people across all health settings.

Graduate ready to confidently step into a rewarding career as a Registered Nurse and make a positive contribution to Australian healthcare. UniSA offers an industry-relevant, practical qualification which will ensure you’re career-ready.

With constant change in technology and approaches to care in the healthcare industry, UniSA’s nursing programs are also constantly evolving and adapting with this change.

There are four delivery options for the Bachelor of Nursing. Studying at our Whyalla campus, this program delivery has a blend of on-campus and online study, and mandatory on-campus practical components such as workshops.

What you'll need

All students studying a health-related program where interaction with the public is required, such as clinical placements in health settings, must meet certain compulsory requirements.

All nursing students must confirm they meet the "Fitness to Practice in Clinical Placements" requirements upon entry to their programs and on each re-enrolment, as well as meeting mandatory pre-placement conditional requirements. Please visit the Clinical Placement Unit page for more information.

All students enrolled in a program leading to professional registration must be registered with the relevant national board. The student registration process is completed by the University with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) after enrolment. No fees apply.

Students who elect to study this program externally must attend mandatory on-campus workshops and undertake all clinical placements in South Australia.

What you'll learn

Nursing student.jpg

The Bachelor of Nursing prepares you for placement and your professional nursing career with more than 150 hours of hands-on learning in our Horizon Hospital and Health Service. You’ll also complete 1,000 hours in clinical settings across metro, regional and rural hospitals, and health services in South Australia.

During your studies, your learning will enable you to meet the seven interconnecting Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia Registered Nurse standards for practice, which include the capacity to:

think critically and analyse nursing practice
engage in therapeutic and professional relationships
maintain the capability for practice
comprehensively conduct assessments
develop a plan for nursing practice
provide safe, appropriate and responsive quality nursing practice
evaluate outcomes to inform nursing practice

The degree is designed to prepare you to meet healthcare delivery requirements for the 21^st century and respond to Australian and international healthcare priorities and trends including mental health, primary healthcare and healthy ageing. Six integrated themes are embedded throughout the curriculum and represent core approaches which inform contemporary nursing practice:

safety and quality
cultural safety
evidence-based practice
professional communication
consumers as partners in care
teamwork

You can gain an extra qualification and broaden your career prospects by completing a Diploma in Languages.

Degree structure

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units	Reference
STAGE 1 - Knowledge, skills and attitudes for understanding
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Foundations of Nursing Practice	NURS 1072	4.5	Note(s): 3
Experiential Learning Activity: Preparation for Clinical Practice Practicum 1	NURS 1061	4.5	Note(s): 2,3,4	Rule(s): 6,7,8
Global and National Health	HLTH 1036	4.5	Note(s): 3
Human Body 1	BIOL 1047	4.5
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
First Peoples' Health	HLTH 1047	4.5
Human Body 2	BIOL 1048	4.5
Health of Older People	NURS 1073	4.5	Note(s): 3
Experiential Learning Activity: Aged Care Practicum 2	NURS 1071	4.5	Note(s): 2,3,4	Rule(s): 6,7,8
STAGE 2 - Knowledge, skills and attitudes for intervention
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Health of Adults	NURS 2023	9	Note(s): 3
Scientific Basis of Clinical Practice	BIOL 2058	4.5
Experiential Learning Activity: Acute Care Practicum 3	NURS 2033	4.5	Note(s): 2,3,4	Rule(s): 6,7,8
Second Semster (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Health of Infants, Children and Adolescents	NURS 2022	4.5	Note(s): 3
Assessment, Diagnostics and Pharmacotherapeutics	NURS 2040	9	Note(s): 3
Mental Health Nursing	NURS 2041	4.5	Note(s): 3
STAGE 3 - Knowledge, skills and attitudes for professional practice
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Evidence Based Nursing Practice	NURS 3055	4.5
Nursing Context of Practice: Primary Health Care	NURS 3045	4.5	Note(s): 3
Experiential Learning Activity: Extension to Practice Practicum 4	NURS 3042	9	Note(s): 2,3,4	Rule(s): 6,7,8
Second Semster (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Transition to Professional Practice	NURS 3056	9	Note(s): 3
Experiential Learning Activity: Transition to Practice Practicum 5	NURS 3043	9	Note(s): 2,3,4	Rule(s): 6,7,8

Rules & notes

Rules

1. The Bachelor of Nursing is an undergraduate degree accredited by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) as a qualification leading to entry to the Register of Nurses with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA). The program accreditation requires students to complete the program in three years full-time or up to six years part-time.

2. All students must confirm that they meet the "Fitness to Practice in Clinical Placements" requirements upon entry to the program, on each reenrolment, and as may be required by the Program Director.

3. Students in this program are required to be registered with the NMBA. Students who are refused registration, or who have their registration rescinded, will be unable to continue in the program.

4. Students who are subject to an investigation by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulatory Agency (AHPRA) under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law Act cannot participate in Clinical Placements until the investigation is complete and the University is notified of the outcome.

5. Upon entry to the program, students must provide a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check issued within the prior 12 month period from an ACIC Accredited provider.

6. Students must demonstrate full compliance with the program's Compulsory Conditional Evidence Requirements prior to allocation of a Clinical Placement. The requirements, which are updated regularly, are published on the program homepage and include a Working With Children Check (WWCC), NDIS worker check, evidence of immunisation/vaccination status, and professional training.

7. Clinical placements are an integral component of the program and are normally undertaken in health agencies in South Australia. Interstate students who accept an offer will be required to acknowledge that their placements will be based in South Australia.

8. All students are required to complete placements in diverse settings, including metropolitan, regional, and rural/remote areas. Regardless of study mode, whether full-time, part-time, internal, or external, all students must attend clinical placements full-time. This includes participating in shift work according to a 24-hour, 7-day roster, which covers early, late, and night shifts.

9. Students must practice in accordance with all UniSA policies and procedures and NMBA professional standards. When undertaking Clinical Placement outside of Australia students must also comply with any local standards for practice.

10. Students are required to satisfy the standard of dress, behaviour and fitness for practice as prescribed by institutions in which clinical placements are undertaken. This also applies to students undertaking Horizon Hospital and Health Service (HHHS) activities.

11. Students who have completed a leave of absence and/or not engaged in a Experiential Learning Activity (ELA) course in the previous 12 month period will be required to undertake an 'IBNU Compulsory Module' for which a fee will be charged.

12. Diploma of Nursing (Enrolled/Division 2 Nursing) graduates, registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) without restrictions on their license and with a current practicing certificate will be eligible for 36 units of block credit transfer into the Bachelor of Nursing.

Notes

1. Students with a disability or chronic health condition may be able to have reasonable adjustments made to teaching and learning, assessment, clinical placement, and other activities. Reasonable adjustments should not fundamentally change the nature of the "Fitness to Practice in Clinical Placements" requirements.

2. Where a clinical placement provider requests that a student be assessed directly by a University staff member, the student may be required to attend a placement in metropolitan Adelaide.

3. Students are required to attend compulsory on-campus workshops/seminars for these courses.

4. Attendance requirements apply to the clinical components of the program. Students enrolled in courses with a clinical component will need to attend on a full-time basis for the duration of the placement.

Study hours

For each course you study, you’ll need to allocate time for various classes such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Plus you’ll need additional hours to study in your own time to complete assignments, readings and projects and contribute to online discussion forums (independent study). As a general rule, if you're studying full-time you would need to allocate on average 40 hours per week.

Assessment

Your studies will incorporate practical, professionally focused and research-based learning, so assessment types will vary. You can expect them to include:

projects
presentations
case studies
essays and assignments
examinations
objective structured clinical examination
clinical placement assessment
quizzes

Global opportunities

Enrich your studies and your life – make overseas study part of your qualification. You may have the option to undertake an exchange, short-term program or study tour overseas while you study. We have links with universities worldwide, as well as a range of travel grants available to make going overseas much more accessible.

You can choose short-term or semester-long study from a range of universities and countries depending on your area of study and cultural interests.

Take a look at the global opportunities available.

Why Bachelor of Nursing (Whyalla)

Nursing at UniSA offers a combination of theory and practical experience, with a strong track record of career-ready graduates.

UniSA has advanced simulated hospital environments and nursing teaching facilities. This includes our Horizon Hospital and Health Service, which spans all our campuses. You’ll learn in authentic hospital wards, clinical units and community areas led by practising Registered Nurses and Midwives.

To teach our nursing students the highest standards of patient care, the simulated hospital is populated by residents of a virtual health community. Residents include interactive manikins each with their own persona; as well as real people acting as residents, who have their own personal stories, relationships, and health histories.

By learning from experienced clinicians and academics at a university with well above world-class research in nursing¹, you’re assured the very best in resources and support to become a capable and confident Registered Nurse.

This degree comes with a blend of online and real-world learning, with dedicated support staff who are with you every step of the way.

¹2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA).

Real-world connections

You’ll benefit from UniSA’s strong ties to the healthcare industry, across its many diverse settings. When you complete clinical placements as part of your study, you’ll learn from experienced clinicians, including Registered Nurses on-campus and in hospital and health settings in South Australia.

You’ll get to embark on clinical placements across metro, regional and rural hospitals and health services under the supervision of Registered Nurses. Through placements, you’ll practice your clinical skills, try hands-on patient care, and build valuable networks and relationships.

Students may also have the opportunity to go on an overseas study tour or participate in exclusive clinical placement streams with industry healthcare partners.

We also host regular University-wide alumni events, employee master classes and employment expos in Australia and overseas.

Online study

Some of your studies for this qualification can be completed online. With interactive online course materials and a 24/7 learning environment, you can organise your study to suit your lifestyle. You can:

access videos and course resources online
participate in an interactive online learning environment
submit your assignments and get feedback online
use online forums for teamwork and communication.

Some on-campus workshop attendance is required at the Mount Gambier campus. On-campus attendance requirements are detailed on individual course pages.

Horizon Hospital and Health Service (HHHS) at UniSA

UniSA's Horizon Hospital and Health Service is an on-campus simulated learning environment for nursing and midwifery students.

Career outcomes

Your career

Registered Nurses are at the forefront of healthcare, with their contribution to patient care imperative for the wellbeing of today's society.

The demand for nurses and midwives in the regions continues to grow.¹ South Australia's Rural Nursing and Midwifery Workforce Plan recognises the critical services they provide to families and the broader community; and the need for a strong, available and sustainable workforce. It's the perfect time to build a highly respected and in-demand career in this field.

UniSA nursing graduates can work in a wide variety of healthcare settings, such as:

hospitals
primary health and 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
management

Graduates may complete the Transition to Professional Practice Program with a participating employer.

As you gain working experience as a Registered Nurse, you can also extend your understanding of evidence-based practice by continuing onto further postgraduate study.

We offer a range of Graduate Certificates, allowing you to upskill into areas of clinical need. Tailor your studies to your specific career goals, or study targeted industry areas including mental health, health and ageing, nurse education, and critical care.

Further opportunities include a Master of Nursing which will equip you for senior leadership roles in clinical practice, policy, research, education or management, or the Master of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner) to join the growing nurse practitioner workforce and develop your confidence to diagnose and treat patients.

You may also expand your research capabilities with a Master of Research.

¹SA Rural Nursing and Midwifery Workforce Plan 2021-26

Professional accreditation and recognition

Graduates satisfy the academic requirements for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. The requirements for registration are determined by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.

Industry facts

Employment for registered nursing professionals in Australia is projected to increase by 13.9% by November 2026.

Australian Government National Skills Commission Employment Projections 2021

To November 2026, healthcare and social assistance is projected to make the largest contribution to employment growth in Australia – an increase of 301,000 jobs.

Australian Government National Skills Commission Employment Projections 2021

Healthcare and social assistance has been the primary provider of new jobs in the Australian labour market since the 1990s.

Australian Government National Skills Commission Employment Projections 2021

How to apply

Applying to study with us:

go to the top of this page and make note of the SATAC code, then click Apply
you will be redirected through to the SATAC website to continue your application

Alternative Pathways

Australian
There are other pathways you can follow to study this degree, including:

UniSA College Diploma in Health (Whyalla)
UniSA College Undergraduate Certificate in University Studies (Health)
SAIBT Diploma of Health Science

Deferment

This degree is available for deferment. This option is made available by responding to your offer during the application process via the SATAC website. Applicants who receive an offer into a midyear degree are eligible to defer for six months.

Credit Transfer

Get a head start on your degree. Find out if you're eligible for credit from previous studies.

Go to credit assessor

Entry pathway

We believe in equal access to further education, so we offer a range of pathways to university.

Find a Pathway

Scholarships

Every year, over 2,500 UniSA students are supported in their studies through scholarships and grants worth millions of dollars. Check out the scholarships below. One of them may be perfect for you. Visit our scholarships page for more.

More scholarships

UniSA Excellence Scholarships

$5,000 scholarship for South Australian students with an ATAR of 99 who enrol to study a UniSA undergraduate degree.

Learn more

UniSA Outstanding Achievement Scholarship

Up to $10,000 per annum (full time) for South Australian students who obtain an ATAR of 99.95 or IB equivalent and enrol to study at UniSA.

Learn more

Your study experience and support

You’ll discover your journey at UniSA is about social experiences, healthy living and getting involved in groups and events.

Our Whyalla campus features modern facilities and study spaces, including the very latest in information and communications technology, so you can quickly access resources online. There are campus sport activities to keep you active and, if you’re keen to explore the social side of university life, there are movies, cooking demonstrations, parties and more.

Student services

Our student services provide you with all the support you need at university. We want you to succeed, and if you need help, we're here to assist. You can access a full range of support services, including:

academic counselling
personal counselling
social support services, including family support and nearby childcare
common rooms
prayer rooms
security officers
career services and mentoring
Wirringka Student Services, offering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students a supportive place to study
as well as services offered through our student association, USASA.

When you become a UniSA student, you can also contact Campus Central for help with anything related to your degree. They will help you with your enrolment, ID cards, fees, timetables and more.

24/7 digital environment

Our learnonline facilities include a personal learning environment with virtual classrooms, lecture recordings, emails, learning support, administration, library access and results. The environment is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so you can tailor your learning to your life. We are continually investing in innovative digital technologies for a high-quality student learning experience.

Your campus

We have six campuses in metropolitan and regional areas, each with modern facilities including lecture theatres, libraries and laboratories, as well as spaces that simulate real work environments.

Your study spaces

Emergency Department

UniSA’s Whyalla campus is the largest regional university campus in South Australia. Situated on a 22-hectare site, it boasts excellent teaching, research and on-site accommodation facilities.

You'll get to learn in our simulated clinical environment, the Horizon Hospital and Health Service, located on our City East, Mount Gambier and Whyalla campuses.

Our state-of-the-art facilities include a fully equipped emergency department and day surgery, all led by practising Registered Nurses and Midwives (clinicians). Housed in the simulated hospital environment are the Residents of Horizon – interactive manikins each with their own persona and health concerns, as well as real people acting as residents, who have their own personal stories, relationships and health histories.

These teaching facilities and study spaces are designed to enhance and support your understanding of nursing practice as it continues to evolve, and provide a safe learning environment to practice your skills before stepping into placement and practice.

Your program director

I am an experienced Registered Nurse and academic, which informs my role as Program Director of Nursing. I have worked in a variety of clinical settings across South Australia, particularly in Acute Care and Emergency Care, while my research background focuses on improving patient outcomes through early and informed decision-making and early identification of disease.

I understand the importance of connecting theory with practice, and I am committed to student-centred learning. I aim to ensure our students get the most out of their studies and can confidently and expertly meet the needs of their future patients.

Dr Colin Ireland

Program Director

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Dr Colin Ireland

Program Director

Enquire

Ask UniSA

How do I apply?

The way you apply for UniSA will depend on the undergraduate or postgraduate coursework degree you're interested in studying.

The majority of applications are made via the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC). Check out more information on the SATAC website and follow the appropriate process for your degree of interest.

There are a small number of degrees that you need to apply for through direct application processes. The process you need to follow will be listed on the 'How to Apply' section of the degree homepage, but you'll also be taken to where you need to go if you hit the 'apply' button.

If you are interested in studying one of our 100% online degrees you'll need to apply directly to UniSA Online.

You can find more information about the application processes for UniSA on our How to Apply webpage.

If you're more interested in applying for a postgraduate degree by research, check out and follow the information in our step by step guide to applying.
Is there a closing date for applications?

Applications for all degrees will close ahead of study commencing, but the timelines may vary for undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.

Undergraduate

The deadline to apply to study a degree at UniSA for semester one (commencing late February) and be guaranteed equal consideration is generally in very late November or early December. While you may be able to apply after this date, you are not guaranteed to be considered equally with other applicants and your application may not be assessed in time for the main round of offers. More competitive degrees may not make any offers after the main offer round. Find more information on the Key Dates section of the SATAC website, but you can also call the Future Student Enquiries team for more information on 08 8302 376.

Postgraduate

Many postgraduate by coursework degrees do not have set closing dates. The exceptions are highly competitive degrees, so it is best to check – either on the degree homepage on the SATAC website or by checking with our Future Student Enquiries team.

As most postgraduate applications are assessed as they are submitted and offers are continuous, there are no set closing dates for applications. Degrees can be filled and closed with little notice so it is best to apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out on a place. For more information, please contact our Future Student Enquires team on (08) 8302 2376 or submit an enquiry.
What credit can I receive for previous studies?

You may be eligible for credit or advanced standing for your chosen UniSA degree based on your previous studies, if they are in a related area and completed within a certain timeframe. Receiving credit or RPL will reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and may also reduce the overall duration of your degree. You can read more about our pre-existing credit agreements through our online Credit Assessor. If you have related industry experience, you may also be eligible to receive recognised prior learning (RPL) for this experience. Credit and RPL is assessed by the Program Director once you've received an offer, and you apply through UniSA's current student experts, Campus Central.
Can I speak to someone regarding my study options?

Future Student Enquiries welcomes the opportunity to meet with you to discuss your study options at UniSA. We can discuss degree information, entry requirements and pathways, applications, general career outcomes and student life, so you have the information to make the best study decision for your future. Head to our Book an Appointment webpage to find a date and time to speak with us, and take your next steps on journey to university study.

More FAQs

What others are saying

Studying nursing is deeply rewarding on a personal level, as you become a critical part of the community, and the values of promoting and preserving life are reflected through your work.

Joshua Bauschke

Bachelor of Nursing (Whyalla)