Bachelor of Nursing: Course Requirements and Professional Accreditation.

WSU Online's Bachelor of Nursing prepares graduates for eligibility to apply for registration throughout Australia as a registered nurse. Our program reflects contemporary practices in nursing, health and education, and responds to emerging trends.

The focus of the Bachelor of Nursing is on inquiry-based learning, critical thinking and reflective practice in relation to the theory and practice of nursing in health and health breakdown across the lifespan. Using a primary health care framework, students study the application of physical and behavioural sciences to nursing; inquiry and evidence-based practice principles and utilisation within nursing; nursing care of individuals, families and groups from diverse backgrounds across the lifespan. The acquisition of nursing knowledge and skills occurs initially in campus-based simulated clinical practice settings and consolidation occurs as students undertake clinical placements in a variety of health care settings.

Professional accreditation.

The Bachelor of Nursing is accredited by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) and approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. Course accreditation can be checked on their website.

Professional standards and conduct.

Please ensure that you are familiar with the policies available on the Western Sydney University website. In addition, nurses and midwives must be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA), and meet the NMBA’s professional standards in order to practice in Australia.

Special Requirements.

To enrol in the Bachelor of Nursing, students must meet Western Sydney University course requirements. To attend a health-related placement in this course, Special Legislative Requirements will be assessed from enrolment. Please see the Bachelor of Nursing handbook for more information.

Registration as a Nurse.

The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) has a register of students enrolled in the Bachelor of Nursing for the duration of their study. Western Sydney University as the education provider will provide your details directly to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) for registration. 

On successful completion of an accredited course, you will be eligible to apply for registration as a Registered Nurse (Division 1) General with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. Prospective students should be aware that full disclosure of any issues of impairment or misconduct is a declaration requirement when applying for registration as a registered nurse.

English language proficiency declaration.

The same English language skill proficiency requirement for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia is applicable to all students applying for enrolment in the course. Our Bachelor of Nursing program’s guiding principle is safety of the public and to prepare graduates for safe and ethical nursing practice. Our program reflects contemporary practices in nursing, health and education, and responds to emerging trends based on research, technology and other forms of evidence which includes principles of intraprofessional and interprofessional learning and practice, principles of diversity, culture, inclusion and cultural safety for all people and student knowledge and skills in pharmacotherapeutics and quality use of medicines. All applicants for the Bachelor of Nursing are required to sign a declaration and provide evidence of demonstrating English language competency.

English Language Proficiency (ELP) Requirements.

All applicants for the Bachelor of Nursing are required to sign a declaration and provide evidence of demonstrating English language competency in one of the following ways:

  • English is your primary language and you 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 country means one of the following countries: Australia; Canada; New Zealand; Republic of Ireland; South Africa; United Kingdom; United States of America, or
  • You currently hold registration as an Enrolled Nurse (Division 2), or Registered Nurse (Division 1) or Registered Midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA), or

If you do not satisfy either of the above, you will need to undertake an English language proficiency assessment.

English Language Proficiency Assessment.

If you do not satisfy either of the above, you will need to undertake an English language proficiency assessment. English test results remain valid for no more than two years between final examination date and the date of commencement of study.

  1. IELTS (academic module). We only accept test results from one test sitting, or a maximum of two test sittings in a six-month period only if
    • you achieve a minimum overall score of 7 in each sitting, and you achieve a minimum score of 7 in each component across the two sittings, and
    • no score in any component of the test is below 6.5
  1. We will only accept test results from one test sitting, or a maximum of two test sittings in a six-month period only if
    • you are tested in all four components in each sitting, and
    • you achieve a minimum score of 8 in each component across the two sittings, and
    • no score in any component of the test is below C
  1. PTE Academic. We will only accept test results from one test sitting, or a maximum of two test sittings in a six-month period only if
    • a minimum overall score of 65 is achieved in each sitting, and
    • you achieve a minimum score of 65 in each of the communicative skills across the two sittings,
    • and no score in any of the communicative skills is below 58
  1. TOEFL iBt. We will only accept test results from one test sitting, or a maximum of two test sittings in a six-month period only if
    • a minimum total score of 94 is achieved in each sitting, and
    • you achieve a minimum score of 24 for listening, 24 for reading, 27 for writing and 23 for speaking across the two sittings, and
    • no score in any of the sections is below 20 for listening, 19 for reading, 24 for writing and 20 for speaking

NOTE: Students who were not born in any of the above recognised countries need to be aware of the English language requirements of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia that need to be demonstrated prior to registration. Please contact the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia for information on this requirement.

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