James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2000

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NURSING SCIENCES

The School of Nursing Sciences offers the following postgraduate studies:

POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA OF MENTAL HEALTH NURSING*

Graduates of this course qualify as a health practitioner who have obtained the minimum requirements for psychiatric endorsement. The course is currently offered in on-campus mode only. The degree requires completion of four coursework subjects each year over two years part-time. Full-time options are available.

CORE  
NS5201:03 Research: Theory and Methodology
NS5310:03 Mental Health Nursing Practice 1 – Foundations
NS5311:03 Contemporary Issues in Mental Health Practice
NS5312:03 Mental Health Nursing Practice 2 – Child and Adolescent Issues
NS5313:03 Ethical, Legal and Health Policy
NS5320:03 Mental Health Nursing Practice 3– Adult
NS5322:03 Mental Health Nursing Practice 4 – Aged
Elective subject
MASTER OF MENTAL HEALTH NURSING*

The aims of the course are to extend the role and function of the health professional to that of researcher and consultant by developing knowledge and expertise in research methods and their application for improvement of mental health care. A prerequisite for the Master of Mental Health Nursing is the Postgraduate Diploma by coursework. The coursework comprises years one and two from the Postgraduate Diploma. Years three and four are devoted to a research project supported by the Masters degree subjects:

NS5202:03 Research: Proposal Writing
NS5300:09 Research Project: Thesis Preparation 1
NS5401:12 Research Project: Thesis Preparation 2
MASTER OF NURSING SCIENCE

The course prepares registered nurses to design, conduct and communicate research findings. It is a 36 unit research degree available in flexible delivery mode on a part-time (three years or six semesters) or full-time (eighteen months or three semesters) basis.

MASTER OF NURSING STUDIES

This course has been developed to meet the demands of registered nurses in northern Australia and match the School’s postgraduate subject offerings. The course will be available in flexible learning mode on a part-time (over a minimum of six semesters) or full-time (over three semesters) basis. Students will be required to complete 36 units and choose either Option A or Option B offered in the School/Faculty.

Option A: Students will be required to take two core subjects (6 units) and choose 10 electives (30 units).

CORE
NS5201:03 Research: Theory and Methodology
and one of the following:
NS5311:03 Contemporary Issues in Mental Health Practice
NS5407:03 Contemporary Issues in Nurse Education
NS5501:03 Contemporary Issues in Critical Care Nursing
NS5604:03 Contemporary Issues in Ageing and Health
ELECTIVES
Choose 10 subjects from Schedule A

Option B: Students will be required to take two core subjects (6 units), conduct a research project (18 units) and choose four electives (12 units). The course is made up of 50% course work subjects and 50% research which culminates in a thesis (30,000 words).

CORE
NS5201:03 Research Theory and Methodology
NS5202:03 Proposal Writing
PROJECT  
NS5300:09 Research Project: Thesis Preparation 1
NS5301:09 Research Project: Thesis Implementation
ELECTIVES
Choose four subjects from Schedule A

Schedule A

NS5001:03 Advanced Physiological Nursing
NS5002:03 Nursing Inquiry for Specialist Practice
NS5100:03 Socio-Historical Context of Rural and Remote Health
NS5101:03 Power in Practice
NS5102:03 Health Organisation and Development
NS5103:03 Rural and Remote Health Practice 1
NS5104:03 Isolated Practice*
NS5112:03 Physiological Processes in Midwifery
NS5113:03 Pathophysiological Processes in Midwifery
NS5200:03 Rural and Remote Health Practice 2
NS5202:03 Research Proposal Writing
NS5311:03 Contemporary Issues in Mental Health Practice
NS5405:03 Introduction to Nurse Education
NS5406:03 Clinical Teaching in Nursing
NS5407:03 Contemporary Issues in Nurse Education
NS5501:03 Contemporary Issues in Critical Care Nursing
NS5601:03 Processes of Normal Ageing
NS5602:03 Assessment of Altered Health Status in the Aged
NS5603:03 Management of Major Clinical Problems in the Care of the Aged
NS5604:03 Contemporary Issues in Ageing and Health
POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA OF MIDWIFERY

The aim of this course is to prepare the student for endorsement as a midwife. As a competent practitioner, graduates will be able to facilitate the care of women and their families experiencing childbirth, in a variety of settings. The program is accomplished by attendance at residential schools and completion of coursework subjects, part-time via distance education mode. There is also a clinical component attached to each practice subject. Applicants must be a registered nurse, have completed an undergraduate degree and meet the requirements necessary for employment in a midwifery environment. Twelve months clinical nursing practice prior to commencement is desirable. Entry by exception will be considered for applicants without an undergraduate degree.

CORE  
NS5110:03 Midwifery Practice 1
NS5111:03 Midwifery Practice 2
NS5112:03 Physiological Processes in Midwifery
NS5113:03 Pathophysiological Processes in Midwifery
NS5201:03 Research: Theory and Methodology
NS5210:03 Midwifery Practice 3
NS5211:03 Midwifery Practice 4
Elective subject
POSTGRADUATE CERTIFICATE OF NURSING SCIENCE (ADVANCED CLINICAL PRACTICE)

The course provides registered nurses with the opportunity to critically reflect upon their nursing practice; gain and apply specific nursing knowledge and skills relevant to their practice area; explore and reflect upon health care issues within a framework of contemporary nursing practice; practice advanced physical nursing assessment, having acquired knowledge and skills in both physiological and pathophysiological processes, pharmacological concepts and relevant principles of microbiology.

CORE  
NS5001:03 Advanced Physiological Nursing
NS5002:03 Nursing Inquiry for Specialist Practice
ELECTIVES
Students will select two subjects from the following or others deemed appropriate by the Head of School:
NS5100:03 Socio-Historical Context of Rural and Remote Health
NS5101:03 Power in Practice
NS5102:03 Health Organisation and Development
NS5103:03 Rural and Remote Health Practice I
NS5104:03 Isolated Practice*
NS5112:03 Physiological Processes in Midwifery
NS5113:03 Pathophysiological Processes in Midwifery
NS5202:03 Research Proposal Writing
NS5311:03 Contemporary Issues in Mental Health Practice
NS5313:03 Ethical, Legal and Health Policy
NS5405:03 Introduction to Nurse Education
NS5407:03 Contemporary Issues in Nurse Education
NS5501:03 Contemporary Issues in Critical Care Nursing
NS5601:03 Processes of Normal Ageing
NS5602:03 Assessment of Altered Health Status in the Aged
NS5603:03 Management of Major Clinical Problems in the Care of the Aged
NS5604:03 Contemporary Issues in Ageing and Health
POSTGRADUATE CERTIFICATE OF NURSING SCIENCE (CARE OF THE AGED)

The course provides registered nurses with an additional qualification that will enable them to provide specialist care to the aged in a number of health care settings across Australia. Students completing this course will be able to: function as specialist aged care nurses in a range of clinical settings including acute hospitals, nursing homes and in the community; provide sensitive, individualised, research-based nursing care to this population; utilise their expertise towards raising the profile of specialist nursing skills related to care of the aged within the nursing community at large.

CORE  
NS5601:03 Processes of Normal Ageing
NS5602:03 Assessment of Altered Health Status in the Aged
NS5603:03 Management of Major Clinical Problems in the Care of the Aged
NS5604:03 Contemporary Issues in Ageing and Health
POSTGRADUATE CERTIFICATE OF NURSING SCIENCE (CLINICAL TEACHING)

This course provides an opportunity for registered nurses to develop and formalise their clinical teaching skills to a Postgraduate Certificate level. The course focuses on the theoretical and applied knowledge required to function as effective clinical teachers. The course is available off-campus on a part-time basis in the mode of flexible delivery.

CORE  
NS5405:03 Introduction to Nurse Education
NS5406:03 Clinical Teaching in Nursing
NS5407:03 Contemporary Issues in Nurse Education
NS5408:03 Implementation of Clinical Teaching Strategies
POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA OF NURSING SCIENCE (CRITICAL CARE)

This course is offered in distance education mode. It aims to enable the student to understand and apply knowledge about contemporary nursing issues, theory and research to critical care practice.It will complement and enhance knowledge acquired in a Graduate Certificate in Critical Care. Applicants must be eligible for registration as a nurse in Australia; hold a Postgraduate Certificate in Critical Care or equivalent. Entry by exception will also be considered. The program of study is accomplished by completion of four coursework subjects over one year, or two subjects per year over two years. There are four subjects weighted equally.

CORE  
NS5201:03 Research Theory and Methodology
NS5501:03 Contemporary Issues in Critical Care Nursing
ELECTIVES
Two of the following:
NS5101:03 Power in Practice
NS5102:03 Health Organisation and Development
NS5202:03 Research Proposal Writing
or  
other electives as approved by the Head of School and Executive Dean of the Faculty (e.g. NS5406:03 Clinical Teaching in Nursing).
POSTGRADUATE CERTIFICATE OF NURSING SCIENCE (INTENSIVE CARE)

The course provides registered nurses with the opportunity: to competently provide holistic care for the critically ill patient through the integration of advanced level knowledge, skills and humanistic values, within the context of an intensive care unit; demonstrate advanced problem-solving and communication skills and utilise these effectively in managing complex patient care situations; deliver care within a sound ethical and legal framework, fulfilling the role of patient advocate when appropriate; function at a competent level in accordance with the CACCN Inc. Competency Standards for Specialist Critical Care Nurses.

CORE  
NS5001:03 Advanced Physiological Nursing
NS5002:03 Nursing Inquiry for Specialist Practice
NS5511:03 Intensive Care Nursing 1
NS5512:03 Intensive Care Nursing 2
POSTGRADUATE CERTIFICATE OF NURSING SCIENCE (PERIOPERATIVE CARE)

This course has been developed in collaboration with regional hospitals. The Postgraduate Certificate course aims to prepare the registered nurse for advanced nursing practice in the specialty of perioperative care. Using the Additive Model, the course will allow registered nurses to work towards a higher degree qualification while meeting the needs of industry for specialist nursing practice. The program consists of four, three-unit subjects which are integrated with clinical experience. The subjects are designed to prepare registered nurses as specialist perioperative care nurses. On completion of the course the student will have the option to enter the Master of Nursing Studies. Students will enrol in two core advanced nursing practice and two specialist perioperative care subjects.

SEMESTER 1

NS5001:03 Advanced Physiological Nursing
NS5701:03 Perioperative Care 1

SEMESTER 2

NS5002:03 Nursing Enquiry for Specialist Practice
NS5702:03 Perioperative Care 2
POSTGRADUATE CERTIFICATE OF NURSING SCIENCE (RURAL AND REMOTE)

The course provides registered nurses with the opportunity: to critically analyse and reflect upon their nursing practice; gain and apply specific nursing knowledge and skills relevant to their practice area; explore and reflect upon both theoretical and practical aspects of rural and remote nursing practice; practice advanced physical nursing assessment, having acquired knowledge and skills in both physiological and pathophysiological processes, pharmacological concepts and relevant principles of microbiology.

CORE  
NS5103:03 Rural and Remote Practice 1
NS5200:03 Rural and Remote Practice 2
ELECTIVES
Students will select two subjects from the following or others deemed appropriate by the Head of School:
NS5001:03 Advanced Physiological Nursing
NS5002:03 Nursing Inquiry for Specialist Practice
NS5100:03 Socio-Historical Context of Rural and Remote Health
NS5101:03 Power in Practice
NS5102:03 Health Organisation and Development
NS5104:03 Isolated Practice*
NS5112:03 Physiological Processes in Midwifery
NS5113:03 Pathophysiological Processes in Midwifery
NS5202:03 Research Proposal Writing
NS5405:03 Introduction to Nurse Education
NS5407:03 Contemporary Issues in Nurse Education
NS5501:03 Contemporary Issues in Critical Care Nursing
NS5601:03 Processes of Normal Ageing
NS5602:03 Assessment of Altered Health Status in the Aged
NS5603:03 Management of Major Clinical Problems in the Care of the Aged
NS5604:03 Contemporary Issues in Ageing and Health

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