Bachelor of Nursing and Rural Health Practice for 2009

Course overview

The course produces graduate nurses who are committed to the promotion, maintenance and restoration of health and well-being and to the prevention of disease in rural communities. The first two years are identical to the Bachelor of Nursing. For Rural Health Practice, students develop a range of primary-assessment skills and develop advanced practice skills suited to rural-health emergencies, including traumatic, obstetric and mental-health emergencies, rural road trauma, and farming and industrial accidents. Students develop an ability to plan and provide health education, health screening and health-promotional activities. They gain an insight into the health problems, patterns and needs of diverse population groups, including Aborigines. The course includes 38 weeks of clinical placements, offered in teaching hospitals, community health centres and multi-purpose services.

Duration, campus, fees and application information

Career outlook

Graduates will be eligible to apply for registration as Division 1 nurses with the Nurses Board of Victoria, or its equivalent. This double degree offers a diverse range of employment opportunities in hospitals, community health centres, multipurpose services and medical clinics. The course has been favourably received by prospective employers in both metropolitan and rural settings and some have created part-time graduate positions to accommodate fourth year study. Graduates will be well placed to progress to postgraduate study and/or plan a career path towards nurse practitioner status.