Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing Practice (Mental Health)

Depending on subject selection the award is available as a generic qualification or with bracketed 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.

• the ability to apply theoretical knowledge to understand the practice of providing holistic nursing care to individuals experiencing a complex range of disturbances to health and well-being that require complex specialty nursing interventions;
• 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 critical reader of nursing literature and a capacity to articulate knowledge and understanding of specialty practice in oral and written presentations;
• a capacity to manage competing demands on time, including self-directed project work.
• demonstrated clinical competencies in a workplace environment assessed by clinical experts to be at a proficient level as benchmarked against Australian specialty practice competencies.

75 credit points mandated specialty subjects including 50 credit points of 'foundation' subjects; AND 12.5 credit points comprising EITHER NURS90009 Evidence for Practice; OR an approved alternative 4th year research familiarization subject

Elective Points: 12.5 credit points

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

Total Points: 100 credit points

Full time - 50 credit points each semester

Mandated Subjects

Admission requirements for all specialty and advanced practice courses:

• a Bachelor of Nursing (or equivalent training)
• at least one year of clinical experience as a registered Division 1, 3 or 4 nurse within the five years prior to applying for the course
• current unrestricted registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (formerly the Nurses Board of Victoria) in Division 1, 3 or 4 of the Register (courses with clinical components only)
• current employment and clinical support in your specialty area (courses with clinical components only)
• meet the University of Melbourne's English language requirements

If you are applying for the Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing Practice or Postgraduate Certificate in Nursing Practice or a clinical specialisation in the Master of Advanced Nursing Practice, you must provide evidence of current clinical employment and support by submitting a completed Confirmation of Clinical Employment and Support Form with your application.

The Melbourne Experience enables our graduates to become:

• Academically excellent:
  • have a strong sense of intellectual integrity and the ethics of scholarship
  • have in-depth knowledge of their specialist discipline(s)
  • reach a high level of achievement in writing, generic research activities, problem-solving and communication
  • be critical and creative thinkers, with an aptitude for continued self-directed learning
  • be adept at learning in a range of ways, including through information and communication technologies
• Knowledgeable across disciplines:
  • examine critically, synthesise and evaluate knowledge across a broad range of disciplines
  • expand their analytical and cognitive skills through learning experiences in diverse subjects
  • have the capacity to participate fully in collaborative learning and to confront unfamiliar problems
  • have a set of flexible and transferable skills for different types of employment
• Leaders in communities:
  • initiate and implement constructive change in their communities, including professions and workplaces
  • have excellent interpersonal and decision-making skills, including an awareness of personal strengths and limitations
  • mentor future generations of learners
  • engage in meaningful public discourse, with a profound awareness of community needs
• Attuned to cultural diversity:
  • value different cultures
  • be well-informed citizens able to contribute to their communities wherever they choose to live and work
  • have an understanding of the social and cultural diversity in our community
  • respect indigenous knowledge, cultures and values
• Active global citizens:
  • accept social and civic responsibilities
  • be advocates for improving the sustainability of the environment
  • have a broad global understanding, with a high regard for human rights, equity and ethics