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At CQUniversity Associate Lecturers Clinical and Preceptors are involved in the facilitation of learning and assessment of students in the clinical setting. The terminology varies between universities and CQUniversity definitions of these titles are as follows:

Associate Lecturer Clinical is a Registered Nurse associated with health care organisations that provide a large number of placements for nursing students. These clinicians may be employed by the health care organisation or CQUniversity.

Preceptor is a Registered Nurse who supports and assesses undergraduate nursing students on a one to one basis in the clinical setting. These clinicians are employed within the health care organisation and assume this responsibility in addition to their allocated patient load. Each Preceptor/s and student pair is supported in their role by an Associate Lecturer Clinical.

Clinical placement consists of 960 hours in an off-campus health care setting and is an integral component of the nursing program. The majority of students undertake intergraded clinical placement (e.g.  16 hours per week in the first and second year clinical placements). However, block placements (e.g. 2 blocks of 40 hours in the first and second year clinical placements) can be arranged to suit the needs of the health facility or the needs of the student. Clinical placements are arranged by the university and may be located throughout Australia in health care organisations where a service agreement is in place. Clinical placements may also include up to 80 hours placement overseas but only when the student is under the supervision of a CQUniversity nursing academic.

Compulsory clinical placements occur in the following courses:

• NURS11151 Beginning Nursing Practice: (2 days a week over 7.5 weeks or 2 blocks of 10 days) in 120 hours  Residential Aged Care, Medical or Rehabilitation Units. 
• NURS12147 Acute Nursing Management 160 (2 days a week over 10 weeks or 2 blocks of 10 days) hours in Medical, Surgical, Day Surgery, Mental Health* or Paediatric Units. 
• NURS12146 Chronic Disease Management (2 days a week over 10 weeks or 2 blocks of 10 days) 160 hours in Medical, Maternity, Mental Health*, Palliative Care, Renal, Rehabilitation Units,  Community, General Practice or Correctional health services.
• Nursing Project NURS10126  160 hours (2 days a week over 10 weeks or 2 blocks of 10 days) usually occurring in a speciality area. Mental Health Nursing in Context NURS13123 (2 days a week over 10 weeks or 2 blocks of 10 days) in Mental Health*.
• NURS13119 Professional Nursing Practice 240 hours in any nursing settings.

* Mental Health will be an identified mental health setting as approved by the Course Coordinator.

• Signed clinical placement agreement;
• Current National Police Check (not older than 3 years);
• Blue Card;
• Completed Queensland Health student health professionals' clinical placement or field work orientation checklist (http://www.health.qld.gov.au/SOP/) if attending a clinical placement within a Queensland Health facility;
• Current First Aid and CPR certificates;
• Evidence of Immunisations as per the CQUniversity Policy for Immunisation of Student Nurses.

Domestic Students

There are no program pre-requisites however Senior English, Senior Science and Senior Mathematics are strongly recommended. Students without Senior English, Senior Science and Senior Mathematics are strongly recommended to undertake one of the following access programs:

• Skills for Tertiary Education Preparatory Studies (STEPS)
• Tertiary Entry Program (TEP)

International Students

International students with English as a second language are required to provide evidence of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 6.5 in all individual bands. International students granted more than 48 credit points as credit into the nursing program are required to provide evidence of an IELTS score of 7 in all individual bands. International students are required to attend an intensive two (2) week orientation at the Rockhampton campus prior to commencing.

NOTE: Students need to be aware of the English Requirements with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. Please consult this link  http://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/   for further information.

Recognition of prior learning: Course credit may be granted to students who are able to demonstrate appropriate prior learning or experience. The normal maximum amount of credit which may be granted to a prospective student enrolling into the nursing program is 72 credit points and is based on previously completed equivalent studies. Credit is normally only granted for courses and programs satisfactorily completed in the last 10 years at a recognised educational institution or to Enrolled Nurses.

In cases of prospective students transferring from a pre-registration nursing program from a recognised educational Australian institution the maximum amount of credit which may be granted will be 96 credit points of the program.

Refer to the Credit Transfer website at http://www.cqu.edu.au/credittransfer for further details on the guidelines and application process.

It is a requirement of enrolment in this program that students have access to the CQUniversity website via internet. Students may be required to undertake various components of study in the program using email and the Internet.

It is strongly recommended that students have access to a broadband connection or higher to access online student resources that would include but not limited to, email, internet, video streaming, electronic assessment submission.