Master of Advanced Nursing Practice (Mental Health)

The Master of Advanced Nursing Practice (Mental Health) is a graduate coursework degree comprising of 150 credit points. Normally taking eighteen months of full-time study or part-time equivalent. The course offers a clinical practice component focused on a the specialty of mental health nursing.

As a graduate of the Master of Advanced Nursing Practice (Mental Health) you will have:

• a comprehensive knowledge of relevant research literature related to mental health nursing practice
• the capacity to critically think, problem-solve, seek, retrieve and evaluate information
• the ability to analyse the socio-political influences on nursing practice
• the ability to explore and evaluate the status of (and potential for) advanced nursing practice in national and international contexts
• be able to undertake an assessment of your practice, develop a plan and complete a planned program of knowledge and skill development
• achieve mastery of knowledge and skills to support extension to practice and the development of therapeutic and evidence-based nursing interventions in your work environment
• the ability to develop, implement and undertake new and innovative practices within legislative and professional boundaries
• attained oral and written communication skills to support advanced practice
• developed planning, time management and teamwork skills to support advanced practice
• knowledge and skills to support culturally competent practice, leadership and/or education relevant to advanced practice in your chosen specialty practice

The Master of Advanced Nursing Practice (Mental Health) is a 150 credit point course. Streams offered in this course are:

LOCAL STUDENTS

Stream 1 Coursework - comprises of 150 credit points: 9x 12.5cp (Core) + 1x 12.5cp (Elective) + 1x 25cp (Capstone)

Stream 2 Minor Thesis - comprises of 150 credit points: 6x 12.5cp (Core)+ 1x 25cp (Selective Capstone) + 2x 25cp (Minor Thesis)

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Stream 1 Coursework - comprises of 150 credit points: 8x 12.5cp (Core) + 2x 12.5cp (Elective) + 1x 25cp (Capstone)

Stream 2 Minor Thesis - comprises of 150 credit points: 5x 12.5cp (Core)+ 1x 12.5cp (Elective) + 1x 25cp (Selective Capstone) + 2x 25cp (Minor Thesis)

LOCAL STUDENT CORE SUBJECTS - COURSEWORK

Students must complete all core subjects listed

LOCAL STUDENT CORE SUBJECTS - MINOR THESIS

Students must complete all core subjects listed, plus select 2 selective captsone subjects listed under the Selective Capstone subject heading below

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT CORE SUBJECTS - COURSEWORK

Students must complete all core subjects listed

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT CORE SUBJECTS - MINOR THESIS

Students must complete all core subjects listed, plus select 2 selective captsone subjects listed under the Selective Capstone subject heading below

SELECTIVE CAPSTONE SUBJECTS - MINOR THESIS

Students undertaking Minor Thesis must complete one Selective Captsone subject

ELECTIVE SUBJECTS

1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed either:

• a Master of Nursing Science, or
• a Bachelor of Nursing (or equivalent);

and

• at least once year of documented clinical experience as a registered nurse working in the mental healthcare service within the preceeding five years from the time of application;
• a postgraduate qualification in Nursing, specialising in Mental Health, or equivalent/

Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.

2. In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:

• prior academic performance; and
• the 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 request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, 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

Graduates may progress to a range of other graduate coursework programs as well as research higher degree programs including the Doctor of Philosophy.

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, problemsolving 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

At the completion of this course, students should be able to demonstrate:

• the capacity for information seeking, retrieval and evaluation;
• critical thinking and analytical skills;
• an openness to new ideas;
• the ability to communicate scientific knowledge through oral, written and web based media.
• professional leadership skills.