Course Assessment Information

Residential Schools/Workshops

More Details

Timetable Information 
Please access your timetable via the link here. Click on your chosen Course Timetable, then locate the tab of the campus that you are enrolled in to view your timetable. 

Orientation 
A compulsory three (3) day on campus orientation will be held for all new students from 8:30am - 3:00pm in February (click on link above to see dates).

Study Modes 
The Diploma of Nursing has two (2) available study modes: 

• Mixed-Mode/Online: Mixed-mode/online students are required to attend compulsory residential classes on campus. These are in blocks of three days, four times during each term. Dates for each campus are shown on the timetable below. This mode also includes online tutorial classes which will be held on:

  • Mondays and Fridays for the Term 1 (February) intake

  • Thursdays and Fridays for the Term 2 (July) intake

Available Intakes
Term 1 (February): Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton, Bundaberg 

Term 2 (July): Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Bundaberg (Except Rockhampton)

• On-Campus/Face to Face (Rockhampton Only): Students studying on-campus in Rockhampton will be required to attend on-campus tutorials (3 days every week) from 8:30am - 3:00pm. 

Term 2 (July) Enrolment (Rockhampton) in campus weekly class schedule for each stage of the Diploma of Nursing is as below: 

• Stage 1: Tuesday to Thursday 

• Stage 2: Monday to Wednesday 

• Stage 3: Tuesday to Thursday

Available Intakes
Term 2 (July) Rockhampton Only 

Note: Mixed-mode/ online students starting Stage 1 in the Term 2 (July) cannot attend Rockhampton Residential Schools, which are exclusively for on-campus/face to face students. Instead, July students enrolled as mixed-mode/online must attend Residential Schools in their chosen campus, either Cairns, Townsville, Mackay or Bundaberg, as outlined below. 

Residential Schools
For both mixed-mode/online and on-campus/face to face modes of study there are three (3) stages of six (6) months duration to complete. 
In each stage of study, students must attend all four (4) blocks of three (3) day Mandatory Residential Schools. These schools are held on-campus at Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton, and Bundaberg from 8:30am to 3:00pm (generally one residential school block per month). 
Further information regarding Timetables for each campus will be provided to admitted students. 

Required Resources - Textbooks 

The following textbooks are required for this course. Textbooks can be purchased from the CQUni Bookshop. Please ensure you purchase the latest edition. 

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

Computing Requirements
It is a requirement of enrolment in this course that you have access to the CQUniversity website. You will be required to undertake various components of study in the course using email, Microsoft Teams and the internet. 

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

All submissions of assessment must be uploaded electronically to the VET Moodle platform. 

English Language Proficiency
In order to be registered as a health practitioner in Australia, you must be able to demonstrate that your English language skills will enable you to safely practice your profession. The English language skills registration standard is one of the five core standards that practitioners are required to meet, under the National Law.

You can either: 

• Demonstrate you meet the standard through the English Language Test Pathway or

• Demonstrate you meet the standard through the Extended Education Pathway if you have completed and can provide evidence for at least five years (full-time equivalent) continuous education in English in a recognised country. 

For more information, please visit https://www.ahpra.gov.au/registration/registration-standards/english-language-skills/faq.aspx


Clinical Placement Requirements
Throughout the duration of this course, all students will undertake three placements, as follow: 

• Placement 1: Care of the Older Adult - This placement will be held in Stage 1 for a duration of three (3) weeks (120 hours). 

• Placement 2: Community Care - This placement will be held in Stage 2 for a duration of two (2) weeks (80 hours).

• Placement 3: Acute Care - This placement will be held in Stage 3 for a duration of five (5) weeks (200 hours). 

Important: Changes to Mandatory Check Requirements 
As per the CQU Immunisation Policy for patient and student safety, students are required to meet mandatory check requirements. 

Please click here for full details of your requirements. 

Please see mandatory check cut off dates here. You will not be eligible to proceed to placement if you fail to meet the deadline. There are no extensions or exceptions to this requirement. 

The Work Integrated Learning (WIL) team organises placements for students, provided they satisfy all necessary requirements. Students are expected to travel to placement locations and adhere to the assigned roster, which may include morning, afternoon, and night shifts. 

Students will only be offered one placement per student, per course, per term. 

For enquiries relating to placement or mandatory checks please email the Work Integrated Learning (WIL) team on (07) 4930 9124 option 4 or via email:

Nursing placements email: WIL-NMSS@cqu.edu.au 

Mandatory Checks email: WILCompliance@cqu.edu.au

Uniform Standards 
The following uniform standards are required in class, during residential schools and on placement to meet industry standards. 

Uniform: 

• CQU Diploma of Nursing student scrubs (preference) 

• CQU Diploma of Nursing polo shirt (if scrubs are unavailable) with navy blue/black shorts or trousers 

• Navy or black socks with trousers

• Long white socks with shorts 

• No cardigans, jumpers, or skivvies covering forearms

• Jeans are not acceptable

Footwear: 

• Navy blue or black enclosed shoes, rubber non-slip soles preferred

• No canvas or running shoes 

Nails: 

• Short, clean nails - artificial nails, extensions and nail polish are not permitted and students will be barred from entering the clinical learning spaces as these contravene workplace safety and infection prevention policies.

Hair:

• Clean, neat and tied back off the collar and face

Jewellery:

• One set of discreet earrings is acceptable 

• One plain band with no stones is acceptable 

• A fob watch is acceptable 

• No necklaces, wrist watches, hoop earrings, nose rings, ear cuffs or spacers will be accepted  

• Facial piercings are an Occupational Health and Safety Hazard in the workplace and must not be worn

ID:

• Student ID must be worn at all times 

• No lanyard 

• No nurses pouch

Non-compliance with uniform standards will result in being asked to leave the residential school or placement and could affect your course completion. 


Academic Pathways
Units completed in the Diploma of Nursing may provide credit into other related Health and Community Services VET qualifications. There is a formal articulation agreement in place for those who have successfully completed the Diploma of Nursing, to enter the BN (CL91) with 1 year credit. 

• CL91 Bachelor of Nursing (articulation pathway - total of 8 credits)

VET Student Loan Information 
VET Student Loans may be available for eligible students in approved Diploma level qualifications. The loan can be used towards Tuition Fees only and does not cover additional expenses such as textbooks, uniforms, equipment, travel, tools, and accommodation or general living expenses. 

Loan limits of caps may apply for some eligible courses and where a loan limit is reached for a course, students may be required to pay upfront for any remaining units. 

For more information or to check your eligibility for a VET Student Loan, please visit out VET Student Loans webpage or contact us.