Postgraduate Certificate in Primary Care Nursing

Course PC-PCNURS (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: 50 credit points taken over 6 months full time. This course is available as full or part time.

Coordinator

Contact Bernie Cooper

Contact

Bernie Cooper
cooperb@unimelb.edu.au

Course Overview: The Postgraduate Certificate in Primary Care Nursing is a tailored course for nurses working in a primary care setting that delivers comprehensive and evidence-based education in sexual and reproductive health, women’s health, youth health and chronic conditions. The course also teaches strategies for health promotion, prevention, risk management and advanced nursing practice. Commonwealth government policy priorities in primary health care include an enhanced role for the practice nurse and this has been recognised in the course subjects. This course is delivered by flexible education (distance, online and face-to face).
Objectives:

On completion students should be able to:

  • Apply an evidence based approach to screening, health promotion and an advanced clinical area of their choice
  • Consult with patients in primary care using a preventive approach
  • Identify the elements of systematic chronic disease management
Course Structure & Available Subjects:

The Postgraduate Certificate in Primary Care Nursing is a 50-credit-point, part-time, coursework program. Most students study part-time over two years, taking one subject per semester.
Completion of the 50 credit points is made up of 2 core subjects - GENP90014 Preventive Health Care (12.5 cp) and 585-xxx Chronic Disease Management (25 cp) plus one, 12.5 credit point elective subject from subject options list below
Majors/
Minors/
Specialisations

.
Subject Options:

Subject Requirements

Core subjects

Students must complete two core subjects (37.5 credit points)
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Not offered in 2011
25

Elective subjects

Students must select one 12.5 credit point subject from the list below:
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1, Semester 2
12.50
Semester 1, Semester 2
12.50
Semester 1, Semester 2
12.50
Not offered in 2011
12.50
Entry Requirements:

Applicants for the Postgraduate Certificate are selected from:

Australian or overseas qualified nurses who hold a 3 year degree or diploma of nursing or approved equivalent AND have at least one (1) year professional experience in a clinical setting.

All enrolled students are required to have the following:

Registered Nurse (Division 1) in Victoria
Police record check
Working with Children check
Current CPR Certificate (** required for Immunisation and Travel Health subject)

Core Participation Requirements: For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website : http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/
Graduate Attributes:

It will prepare nurses to:

  • be a vital member of the general practice/primary care team;
  • contribute to the clinical care of patients;
  • be involved in quality improvement processes;
  • facilitate change in the practice setting;
  • improve access and health outcomes for patients;
  • provide better management of chronic conditions and an increased focus on prevention.

Download PDF version.