If you're a people person with an interest in the human body, then you might want to consider a career in nursing, paramedicine or other health science areas.

Not sure if you've got the prerequisites? The Certificate IV in Health Science Foundations (or Gateway to Nursing) is a step in the right direction.

This course prepares you with the foundation knowledge and skills for a course in nursing or health sciences if you are from a less traditional study backgrounds such as:

• CALD (culturally and linguistically diverse) students
• students without formal study
• students without the ATAR scores needed to enter directly into nursing or health science courses
• NESB (non English speaking background) students.

Professions in the health sciences are in high demand in Australia as well as overseas. Our pathway course helps you to prepare for successful study in the Diploma and the Bachelor of Nursing which can lead to a career as a Division 1 or Division 2 Nurse. This course also prepares students for entry into a range of other science courses and enhances their career prospects in a range of areas such as Paramedics, Physiotherapy and/or Biomedical Science.

You can develop your skills and understanding in the following areas:

• Human biology
• Maths
• Essay Writing
• Referencing
• Research
• Exam technique.

• Location:
  City Flinders and St Albans
• College:
  VU College
• Study mode:
  Full Time and Part Time
• Delivery mode:
  On campus
• Course code:
  52401WA
• Duration:
  0.5 years
• This information is for Australian residents.
  Click here to search for courses available to non-residents

How to apply

• Further education and training in the Health Sciences
• Division 1 and Division 2 Nursing
• Paramedics
• Physiotherapy
• Biomedical Science

Learn more about your career options on the Australian government's Career Information and Resources website.

The course is designed to address the needs of low SES (Socio-Economic Status), NESB (Non-English Speaking Background) and CALD (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse) students with a supported and scaffolded pathway into the Diploma and Bachelor of Nursing. It integrates field specific knowledge in basic anatomy, chemistry, physics, mathematics and microbiological concepts with academic skills and LLN/ESL development.

Students must complete all six core units below to be eligible for the award of the qualification.

• Develop and Demonstrate Advanced Communication Skills

  Unit code

  50033

• Develop and Apply Knowledge of Human Biology

  Unit code

  50034

• Perform Calculations in Health Mathematics

  Unit code

  50035

• Apply Concepts From Chemistry and Physics to Health

  Unit code

  50036

• Apply Basic Microbiological and Infection Control

  Unit code

  50037

• Identify and Document Sociological Processes That Influence Health

  Unit code

  50038

• Year 12: Satisfactory completion of Year 12 VCE/VCAL (or equivalent).
• Other: Students will need to pass a literacy and numeracy test that indicates the following:

  • competency in reading and writing, equivalent to ACSF Level 3; • numeracy skills equivalent to ACSF Level 2; • general English language proficiency of at least the Australian Second Language Proficiency Rating 3.