Graduate Diploma in Primary Care Nursing

The Graduate Diploma in Primary Care Nursing is a tailored program for nurses working in a primary care setting that delivers comprehensive and evidence-based education in chronic disease, prevention, quality systems and safety, women’s health, mental health or youth health. The program also teaches strategies for health promotion, 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 program is delivered by flexible education (distance, online and face-to face).

On completion of the Graduate Diploma in Primary Care Nursing students should be able to:

• Practice effectively patient centred and preventive clinical care
• Contribute to effective teamwork and manage change and risk in the workplace
• Deliver safe and effective nursing care and case management to patients with chronic illness
• Provide an evidence based approach to clinical care in a range of clinical areas of their choice that builds on their previous experience

To attain the Graduate Diploma in Primary Care Nursing, students must complete 100 credit points, comprising of four (4) core subjects and 50 credit points of elective subjects.
Selected subjects are available to students enrolled in the Master of Advanced Nursing Practice. Enrolment is dependent on meeting prescribed registration and clinical experience requirements.

Subject Requirements

Core Subjects

Students must complete the following core subjects (50 credit points)

Elective subjects

Choose subjects worth total of 50 credit points from the list below

1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed:
• an undergraduate degree in nursing or a three-year diploma of nursing or equivalent; and
• at least one year of documented relevant professional experience in a clinical setting; and
• National Division 1 registration.
Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.

2. In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:
• prior academic performance; and
• professional experience.

3. The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Academic Board rules on the use of selection instruments.

4. Applicants are required to satisfy the university’s English language requirements for postgraduate courses. For those applicants seeking to meet these requirements by one of the standard tests approved by the Academic Board, performance band 6.5 is required.

For the purposes of considering requests 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 Overview, Objectives, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

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 programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Completion of the Graduate Diploma provides credit toward the Master of Advanced Nursing Practice (Melbourne School of Health Sciences, Nursing).

Graduates may progress to a range of other graduate coursework programs.

The Graduate Diploma in Primary Care Nursing 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.