Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing (Critical Care Theory)

Course J05CC (2011)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2011.

Year and Campus: 2011 - Parkville
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Level: Graduate/Postgraduate
Duration & Credit Points: 100 credit points taken over 12 months full time. This course is available as full or part time.

Coordinator

Please contact Nursing

Contact

Nursing
Melbourne School of Health Sciences
The University of Melbourne
Level 5, 234 Queensberry St
Carlton Victoria 3010 AUSTRALIA
T: +61 3 8344 9401
F: +61 3 9347 4375
E: nursing-enquiries@unimelb.edu.au
W: www.nursing.unimelb.edu.au

Course Overview: The Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing is a 100 point 4th year coursework program offering theoretical nursing specialization or a generic award. Achievement of clinical field practice competency requirements is not available in this course and therefore full unrestricted registration with the NBV is not required for completion of the course.

Depending on subject selection, the award is available as a generic qualification or with bracketed theoretical specialization to acknowledge the nursing specialty that is the focus of the student's studies.

The course may be taken full time over 2 semesters or part time over 3 - 4 semesters.

Objectives: Overall the Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing aims to provide the opportunity for nurses to extend their understanding of the relationship between the theory and practice of nursing in a specific area of specialty nursing. Students develop a depth and complexity of knowledge that enhances their specialty practice in a variety of contexts and in a variety of nursing roles. There is an emphasis on academic preparation for leadership in specialty nursing, specialty nursing education and patient education.

Upon completion of the course it is therefore expected that students will have the academic attributes described for the Postgraduate Certificate and Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing Practice, but in acknowledgment of the focus on academic development, clinical competence objectives are replaced with the following objectives that foster leadership in specialty nursing:

  • Proficiency in areas of professional scholarship;
  • an understanding of the professional issues impacting upon specialty nursing and the wider nursing profession;
  • a beginning understanding of the international context and sensitivities of the specialty area;
  • a capacity to engage where appropriate with issues in contemporary society that impact on and are impacted by specialty nursing practice;
  • an appreciation of the ways in which evidence based practice guides specialty practice and how specialty knowledge equips the student to offer leadership in the specialty area;
  • an appreciation of the design, conduct and reporting of research as it relates to the development of evidence based practice;
  • a capacity to transfer knowledge and understanding of specialty nursing in oral and written presentations to a wide range of professional and non-professional audiences;
  • the ability to communicate an understanding of the theoretical basis for practice both verbally and in a written form.
Course Structure & Available Subjects: Mandated Points: 62.5 credit points

50 credit points mandated specialty subjects including 25 credit points of specialty theory subjects;

AND 12.5 credit points comprising EITHER 514831 Evidence for Practice; OR an approved alternative 4th year research familiarization subject

Elective Points: 37.5 credit points

Chosen from any 4th year subjects offered within or external to the School of Nursing.

Total Points: 100 credit points

Full time - 50 credit points each semester.

Subject Options:
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1, Semester 2
12.50
Entry Requirements: The Selection Committee will evaluate the applicant's ability to pursue successfully the course using the following criteria:

1. an undergraduate degree in nursing or a three-year diploma of nursing or equivalent; and

(a) for the generic streams (without clinical specialization), at least one year of documented experience as a division 1 registered nurse (or equivalent) within the past five years;

(b) for the Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing Practice, satisfactorily meeting the requirements for unrestricted registration as a nurse by the Nurses Board of Victoria in Division 1, 3 or 4 of the Register.

2. The Selection Committee will also use the following additional criteria for specified clinical specialization streams:

(a) for Acute and Critical Care (anaesthetics, critical care, emergency, perioperative and rural critical care), a minimum of one year of documented experience as a division 1 registered nurse (or equivalent) in an acute care setting in the past five years;

(b) for Paediatric Critical Care, normally a minimum of two years of documented experience as a Division 1 registered nurse (or equivalent) in an acute care setting in the past five years. Consideration may be given to applicants who have less than two years but who have at least one year of documented experience as a Division 1 registered nurse (or equivalent) in an acute care setting in the past five years;

(c) for Cancer and Palliative Care, a minimum of one year of documented experience as a Division 1 registered nurse (or equivalent) in the past five years;

(d) for Mental Health, a minimum of one year of documented experience as a Division 1 or Division 3 registered nurse (or equivalent) in the past five years;

(e) for Paediatrics, a minimum of one year of documented experience as a Division 1 registered nurse (or equivalent) in an acute care setting in the past five years.

3. The Selection Committee may conduct interviews or test, and may call for referee reports or employer references to elucidate any of the matters referred to above.

Core Participation Requirements: It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student’s participation in the University’s courses. This course requires all students to enrol in subjects where they must actively and safely contribute to clinical/field work activities. Students who think their disability will impact on meeting this requirement are encouraged to discuss this matter with the Course Coordinator and the Disability Liaison Unit.
Graduate Attributes: To be advised
Links to further information: http://www.nursing.unimelb.edu.au

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