James Cook University offers excellence in teaching and research in a unique tropical setting. For over 30 years JCU has been growing and developing and today is one of Queensland's premier universities and Australia's leading tropical university. JCU has campuses in Townsville, Cairns and Mackay and specialist research, teaching and learning sites in other parts of northern Australia.

The School of Nursing Sciences was founded in October 1989, accepting its first students in 1990, and renamed the School of Nursing, Midwifery & Nutrition in 2006. The School of Nursing, Midwifery & Nutrition is the largest discipline within the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Molecular Sciences. The undergraduate Bachelor of Nursing Science is offered in on-campus mode in Townsville and Cairns, mixed mode in Mount Isa and Thursday Island, and in distance learning mode. We also currently offer both undergraduate and postgraduate programs at the Fiji School of Nursing. With over 1500 students in both undergraduate and postgraduate courses, the School is renowned for its friendliness and sense of family. Nursing students never feel like just another number – with effective support services, our students receive the personal attention they need to achieve their best.

There are 30 academic staff and 14 professional staff across the four major campuses. Approximately 120 casual tutors and clinical educators are required to assist with the teaching and clinical placement of students at our campuses and in hospitals throughout the North Queensland region. The JCU campuses are equipped with simulated hospital wards, lecture theatres, tutorial rooms, and laboratories for biophysical science classes.

Career opportunities

James Cook University Nursing graduates easily find employment, and are welcomed into postgraduate studies. Nursing graduates are in demand and past students have found employment throughout Australia and overseas in a variety of nursing positions in:

general medical practice;
public and private hospitals;
public health services specializing in particular client groups;
the Defence Forces;
occupational health units within large companies;
occupational health units within the mining industry;
non-government relief agencies;
retrieval operations with exploration companies.

Learning Modes

With on-campus mode, students attend lectures, tutorials and laboratory skills sessions at either Townsville, Cairns, Mt Isa or Thursday Island campus. With flexible learning (distance education) mode, students receive printed study guides and multi-media resources and are required to attend residential schools in Townsville from time to time.Teletutorials provide contact with your lecturers and other students and are held on a regular basis throughout the course.The Bachelor of Nursing Science offers the undergraduate student 22 weeks of clinical practice in hospitals and clinical agencies throughout Queensland during the program.

Whichever mode of study you undertake, ongoing support from staff of the School and the University will always be available to you.

Bachelors degrees