This document should be read in conjunction with the section relating to Category Four in the Board's document Credit for Prior Study in Courses Leading to Registration as a Nurse.  A university which is recognised by the Board to conduct a course leading to registration as a nurse, may make submissions to the Board that one or two identified subjects undertaken at another education institution is/are equivalent to one or two identified subjects in the recognised curriculum.

This process is intended to provide for affirmation of the equivalence of subjects.

It may be possible to establish equivalence, on a subject for subject basis, for multiple subjects in another curriculum if there are substantial similarities in the respective curricula.

Proposals that subject content covered in a number of subjects in another course may be equivalent to more than two subjects in a recognised course would be beyond the scope of this process.  In such cases, subject equivalence should be developed as course alternatives and submitted for consideration by the Nurses Practice Committee.  For example a proposal that a sequence of particular subjects at another institution is equivalent to all of first year in a recognised course would require submission to the Nurses Practice Committee.

Each submission to establish subject equivalence should include

1. Evidence that the institution, at which the prior subjects were undertaken, was an institution at the standard of an Australian university.  
2. Unit outlines for the one or two identified subjects at the other education institution, clearly identifying year/s in which the subject was offered at that other institution;
3. Unit outlines for the one or two identified subjects in the curriculum of a recognised course and for which equivalence is sought to be established;
4. Analysis of  2 and 3 above showing 80% match of the content and learning objectives. 

On receipt of the required information, the Board's officers will assess information as promptly as possible and advise that

Agreed equivalence of subjects applies to any student who has undertaken the specified alternate subjects, provided that the prior study was undertaken within the time frame stated in regard to Category Four in the Board's document (usually within seven year period prior to enrolment in the recognised course).

Clarification or further information may be obtained by contacting the Executive Director, Nurses and Midwives Board.