AUT - Nursing: Bachelor of Health Science
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Nursing: Bachelor of Health Science
Nurses are critical to the success of the healthcare system and our nurses are recognised as some of the best in New Zealand. We achieve this through a strong academic and practical programme that is guided by leading theorists, researchers and delivered by nursing academics and clinicians. Teaching and learning happens in a supportive environment, with access to the latest facilities and high-quality clinical placements in hospitals and communities throughout the wider Auckland region.
The curriculum reflects the interprofessional view of patient care provided in communities and hospitals. Students learn that health and healthcare is multifaceted and dynamic and goes beyond health and illness care to foster the growth of healthy communities.
Topics covered range from primary health care to medical and surgical nursing; child and family health to aged care; mental health nursing and rehabilitation; Mäori health; management and leadership in nursing. To support these topics, you also learn about: pharmacology, microbiology, biological science, psychology, sociology, the humanities and research approaches. You will also gain valuable practical experience in hospitals and community centres as you complete 1,300 hours of clinical learning over your 3 years.
Want to enrol in a programme: Apply online
Quick facts
Programme code: AK3324
Level: 7
Points: 360
Duration: 3 years full time
Venue: North Shore Campus (some papers may be available at the Manukau campus)
Starting date: 4 March 2013 / 22 July 2013
AUT University encourages early application - Semester 1: before November 2012, Semester 2: before May 2013. There are limited places available for this qualification.
Admission and entry requirements
- University Entrance
NCEA: 14 credits at Level 3 in one Mathematics or Science subject;
14 credits at Level 2 in English;
14 credits at Level 3 from 1 of Economics, Te Reo Māori, Physical Education, Drama, Social Studies, English, History, Geography, Classics, Art History, Media Studies
CIE: English and one of the subjects from Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics - English Language Requirements
Additional entry requirements
- Must meet Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act requirements
- Police clearance
- An interview may be required
- Applicants with 2 or more years of secondary and/or tertiary education outside New Zealand must meet IETLS requirements and will be interviewed
Structure
You take a wide-range of health and related papers to start with, and then build on your major(s) in years 2 and 3. You will complete a work placement in an industry organisation (we call this clinical placement) in your second and third years.
* Below is a summary. For a comprehensive overview of the degree, please refer to the Academic calendar
Year 1
You will begin by studying basic human sciences, communication skills and the political and social aspects of the New Zealand health system.
Unit 1: Introduction to Nursing - Core Papers
555101 Lifespan Development and Communication
555301 Knowledge, Enquiry and Communication
555201 Human Anatomy and Physiology I
555401 Health and Environment OR
555339 Māori Health, Development and Environment
Unit 2: Interrelationships Between People in the Environment and Health
556202 Human Anatomy and Physiology II
525100 Health Assessment in Nursing
525102 Primary Health Care Nursing
525174 Nursing in Aotearoa/New Zealand
Year 2
You will learn to nurse individuals who are hospitalised with physical and mental illness. Clinical experience is gained in the hospital (medical and psychiatric wards) and community mental health services. Theoretical studies, including pathophysiology, form the foundational knowledge of illness and the nursing response to the patient’s health needs. Assessment and communication skills develop while learning to care for the patient.
Unit 3: People Requiring Hospitalisation
526178 Knowledge for Nursing Practice
526179 Hospital Nursing Practice
526180 Pathophysiology
556301 Methods of Research and Enquiry
Unit 4: Nursing People with Mental Illness
526197 Mental Health Applied Science
526198 Mental Health/Psychiatric Nursing Practice
526199 Primary/Community Mental Health Nursing
527188 Pharmacology for Professional Practice
Year 3
You will prepare for the complexity of caring for individuals and their families in hospital and community settings. You continue to build assessment and nursing skills and the human and biological sciences that inform sound clinical decision-making and safe clinical practice. Learning experiences focus on nursing people with complex health conditions and the impact of developmental and rehabilitation issues on the individual and family. We then prepare you for transition to graduate nursing practice in clinical practice through in-depth exploration of professional concepts and issues.
Unit 5: Experiencing the Complexity of Nursing
527195 Transition to Graduate Nursing Practice I
527196 Complexity of Nursing and Health Care
526185 Maori Health
Unit 6: Transition to Practice
527198 Readiness for Graduate Nursing Practice
Additional papers:
557108 Special Topic
527953 Clinical Project
Te Ara Hauora Māori pathway
Students who wish to seek careers with a Māori development perspective, should select the following 4 papers as electives or as an alternative course of study.
555339 Māori Health, Development and Environment (instead of 555401 Health and Environment)
527872 Māori Health Promotion
567431 Applied Primary Māori Mental Health
567417 Utilising Supervision in Practice
Career opportunities
- Acute care nursing – public or private
- Advanced nursing practice
- Health administrator/manager
- Health consultant
- Medical representative
- Mental health nursing
- Nurse in defence forces
- Nurse lecturer/researcher
- Primary health care nursing
- Specialty nursing practice, such as paediatrics
Video: Simulation learning at its best
Graduates and students of health science
Your other Bachelor of Health Science study options
You can choose to study the degree without a health major:
Or you can choose to major in one of the following specialised areas:Or you can choose one of our clinical degree areas:
Other courses you may be interested in
Bachelor of Business & Bachelor of Health Science (psychology) conjoint degreeGraduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma in Health Science
Graduate Certificate in Emergency Management