NURSING SCIENCES
The School of Nursing Sciences offers the following postgraduate studies:
PhD by Research
Master of Advanced Nursing Practice
Master of Mental Health
Nursing*
Master of Nursing Science
Master of Nursing Studies
Postgraduate Diploma of Mental Health Nursing*
Postgraduate Diploma
of Midwifery
Postgraduate Diploma
of Nursing Science
(Critical Care)*
Postgraduate Certificate
of Nursing Science
(Advanced Clinical Practice)
Postgraduate Certificate
of Nursing Science
(Care of the Aged)
Postgraduate Certificate of Nursing Science (Cardiac
Nursing)*
Postgraduate Certificate
of Nursing Science
(Clinical Teaching)
Postgraduate Certificate
of Nursing Science
(Intensive Care)
Postgraduate Certificate of Nursing Science
(Perioperative Care)
Postgraduate Certificate
of Nursing Science
(Rural and Remote)*
Advanced Certificate of Research Methods (replacing
Master’s Qualifying)
Diploma of Research Methods (replacing Master’s
Qualifying)
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 ADVANCED NURSING PRACTICE
This degree is designed to prepare students for advanced clinical practice in a chosen specialty area. It is intended to meet the ongoing professional needs of nurses working in, or planning to move into, roles as clinical nurse specialists, clinical nurse consultants, clinical educators or clinical nurse managers.
| 9 units of core subjects: | |
| NS5001:03 | Advanced Physiological Nursing |
| NS5002:03 | Nursing Inquiry for Specialist Practice |
| NS5201:03 | Research: Theory and Methodology |
| 12 units of subjects in chosen specialty area(s): | |
| Intensive Care | |
| NS5511:03 | Intensive Care 1 |
| NS5512:03 | Intensive Care 2 |
| Cardiac Nursing | |
| NS5801:03 | Cardiac Nursing 1 |
| NS5802:03 | Cardiac Nursing 2 |
| Perioperative Care | |
| NS5701:03 | Perioperative Care 1 |
| NS5702:03 | Perioperative Care 2 |
| Aged Care | |
| NS5601:03 | Processes of Normal Ageing |
| NS5602:03 | Assessment of Altered Health Status |
| NS5603:03 | Management of Major Clinical Problems |
| NS5604:03 | Contemporary Issues in Ageing and Health |
| Critical Care | |
| NS5501:03 | Contemporary Issues in Critical Care Nursing |
| Mental Health | |
| NS5311:03 | Contemporary Issues in Mental Health Practice** |
| NS5313:03 | Ethical, Legal and Health Policy in Mental Health Nursing** |
| Surgical Nursing | |
| NS5730:03 | Advanced Surgical Nursing |
| Medical Nursing | |
| NS5740:03 | Advanced Medical Nursing |
| 9 units of elective subjects chosen with permission of the Head of the School of Nursing Sciences | |
| NS5205:06 | Independent Project |
| * Mental health nurse endorsement required to undertake these subjects | |
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 |
| 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 | Midwiferty 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 | Midwifety Practice 3 |
| NS5211:03 | Mdwifery Practice 4 |
| Elective subject:03 | |
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 |
| 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 (CARDIAC NURSING)
The course provides registered nurses with the opportunity to: competently provide holistic care for the cardiac patient through the integration of advanced level knowledge, skills and humanistic values, within the context of coronary care or cardiac 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.
The current Certificate course commenced in second semester 2000 and concludes at the completion of first semester 2001. The next intake of students will be at the commencement of 2002.
| CORE (First semester, 2002) | |
| NS5001:03 | Advanced Physiological Nursing |
| NS5801:03 | Cardiac Nursing 1 |
| CORE (Second semester, 2002) | |
| NS5002:03 | Nursing Inquiry for Specialist Practice |
| NS5802:03 | Cardiac Nursing 2 |
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 suspended for a year (until December 2001). A review of the viability of offering the course will be carried out during the period of suspension. Award requirements for the course are displayed in the 2000 Student Handbook.
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 Australian College of Critical Care Nursing (ACCN).
| 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.
| NS5001:03 | Advanced Physiological Nursing |
| NS5701:03 | Perioperative Care 1 |
| NS5002:03 | Nursing Enquiry for Specialist Practice |
| NS5702:03 | Perioperative Care 2 |
POSTGRADUATE CERTIFICATE OF NURSING SCIENCE (RURAL AND REMOTE)
The course is suspended for a year (until December 2001). A review of the viability of offering the course will be carried out during the period of suspension. Award requirements for the course are displayed in the 2000 Student Handbook.