Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Paramedicine

The Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Paramedicine double degree develops proactive and adaptable graduates who will be competent and ethical clinicians, creative and critical thinkers, independent lifelong learners, and professional nurses and paramedics. The course uses learner-centred approaches including situation-based learning to enhance students' experiences during the course as well as their readiness for the workplace to deliver compassionate primary, urgent and or emergency health care. As the course incorporates extensive clinical placements and innovative simulation activities, graduates will be well prepared to meet the health needs of the community in varied nursing and paramedicine settings.

Areas of study

Nursing, paramedicine.

Career opportunities

Registered nurse, maternal and infant carer, medical dispatcher, medical/surgical nurse, mental health nurse, paediatric nurse, paramedic nurse, accident and emergency nurse, aged or community carer, clinical supervisor, developmental disability carer, trainer.

With further study, qualified paramedics may progress to become intensive-care paramedics, team leaders, clinical instructors, ambulance service managers, specialist educators, flight paramedics, special operations team rescue paramedics.

Professional recognition

This course is accredited by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) and accredited (with conditions) by the Paramedicine Board of Australia. Eligible graduates can apply for registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra). Read the Registration Standards for Nursing and Midwifery and the Registration Standards for Paramedicine.

Practical experience

Five nursing clinical placements totalling approximately 800 hours of professional experience and five paramedicine clinical placements are completed throughout the course in a variety of healthcare environments. In addition, innovative simulation activities provide a rounded and robust learning experience to prepare for real-world clinical and professional challenges. Before students begin professional
experience for this course, they should review the mandatory state or territory legal and industry policy requirements. An overview of these requirements can be found via the ACU Work Integrated Learning Search tool.

Students will be required to undertake a medical and physical capacity assessment prior to commencing clinical placement with an Australian ambulance service. This is an ambulance service mandatory requirement.

Honours

Honours programs are available in Nursing or Paramedicine as an additional year to meritorious students who wish to undertake research training to make a contribution to scholarship and evidence-based nursing or paramedic practice.

Fees and charges

Visit the ACU website for general information about tuition fees.