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Curtin University
Courses Handbook 2015

This handbook contains information on courses and components (majors, minors, streams and units) at Curtin in 2015.
Information for the previous year's courses and units is available at Courses Handbook 2014.

GC-CLINNU v.2 Graduate Certificate in Clinical Nursing

GradCertClinNurs(Curtin)

Registered full-time Duration: 0.5 Years


Course Overview

Graduate Certificates prepare students to develop advanced knowledge and skills for professional or highly skilled work and further learning corresponding to AQF level 8 qualifications.


The Graduate Certificate in Clinical Nursing, with specialist streams in Intensive Care Nursing, Coronary Care Nursing, High Dependency Nursing, Paediatric Intensive Care Nursing, Emergency Nursing, Acute Care Nursing, Perioperative Nursing, Neonatal Nursing, Plastics and Burns Practice, Wound, Ostomy and Continence Practice, Primary Health Care and Community Nursing, and Child and Adolescent Health Nursing, is designed to provide the theoretical foundations of nursing science, together with the clinical knowledge and skills associated with the stream. A significant component of the course is conducted in a health care institution. It focuses on the development of clinical leadership, promotion and integration of evidence-based nursing practice in each of the streams to foster the development of graduates consistent with the profile of the nurse specialist, offering the advanced-level nurse further clinical skills and an opportunity to extend career options. Students enrol in a stream in the Graduate Certificate and remain within that stream when progressing to the Graduate Diploma in Clinical Nursing and the Clinical Major of the Master of Science (Clinical). The following specialist streams are offered via Curtin Bentley: Acute Care Nursing, Child and Adolescent Health Nursing, Coronary Care Nursing, Emergency Nursing, High Dependency Nursing, Intensive Care Nursing, Neonatal Nursing, Paediatric Intensive Care Nursing, and Primary Health Care and Community Nursing.


Additional Course Expenses

Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks and other essential study materials.



Course Entry and Completion Details

Applicants for a Graduate Certificate are required to meet University academic and English language entry standards; details are provided at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au. Applicants generally require a Bachelor Degree or equivalent credit gained for recognised learning. Any specific course entry and completion requirements must also be met.


Specifically, applicants must hold a bachelor degree and registration as a comprehensive or general nurse in Division One with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA). Prospective applicants should have a minimum of 12 months experience in a specialist area of practice, and must be concurrently employed in an approved area, working a minimum of 24 hours per week. Curtin Singapore applicants require a three year nursing diploma recognised by Curtin University OR Graduate of a nursing Diploma from the Nanyang Polytechnic or Ngee Ann Polytechnic AND registration as a registered nurse with the Singapore Nurses Board AND a minimum of 12months experience post registration clinical experience in the speciality area AND minimum English language entry requirements IELTS 7.0 (no band less than 6.5) or equivalent.


Credit for Recognised Learning

Applications for credit towards a course are assessed on an individual basis. Credit reduces the amount of learning required to complete the course and may be granted for formal education qualifications, non-formal learning from non-award programs of study and informal learning through work experiences. Further information can be found at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au.


Specifically, to support applications for credit for recognised learning, students are required to submit a professional portfolio detailing evidence of accomplishments.


Pathway to Further Study

Graduates may qualify for entry to some Graduate Diplomas and Master degrees. For further details, see the University website http://curtin.edu.au.



Course Organisation

Graduate Certificates contain a series of units which may include compulsory (core), optional or elective units to cater for student preferences.


Students need to stay in original stream as this is linked to the employment sector and scholarship. All focus on the development of leadership, critical thinking and clinical decision making. This course is not available to International Onshore Students on Student Visas.


Course Learning Outcomes

A graduate of this course can:

1. analyse critically, and evaluate advanced concepts of specialty nursing practice; integrate expert knowledge and integrated understanding to demonstrate competency at a level in accordance with specialty competency standards

2. critically analyse, reflect on and synthesise the environmental, physical and psychosocial aspects of the individual for effective clinical decision making; recognise own abilities and level of professional competence

3. Investigate, analyse and synthesise complex evidence and scientific literature to inform decision making in specialty practice

4. integrate advanced communication skills within a legal and ethical framework related to complex clinical issues in area of specialty; interpret and transmit knowledge, skills and ideas to specialist and non-specialist audiences

5. effectively anticipate, plan for and use complex technology applications relevant to specialty practice

6. integrate autonomous, expert judgement, adaptability and responsibility as a lifelong learner in specialty practice; participate in research and critically appraise research findings and incorporate evidence based knowledge into clinical practice

7. critically appraise, evaluate and incorporate national and global health issues and strategic health care directions into specialty nursing practice

8. incorporate culturally aware and respectful specialty care to multicultural groups and indigenous communities

9. incorporate advanced theoretical and specialist knowledge and judgment, including advanced leadership and autonomy into specialty practice; work professionally in specialty practice demonstrating expert judgement, leadership and independence as a nurse in area of specialty; act as an experienced positive role model to peers and other members of the healthcare team


Duration and Availability

This course can only be undertaken on a part-time basis as there is concurrent employment requirement in the relevant specialty area. It is recommended students undertake 1-2 units of study per semester, in internal or online study modes. This is done to accommodate the employment requirements in the relevant specialty area necessary to achieve specialist clinical competence.


Location and delivery Mode


Year Location Period All* Internal Partially Online Internal^ External Fully Online#
2015 Bentley Campus Semester 1   Y     Y
2015 Bentley Campus Semester 2   Y     Y
2015 Singapore Campus Trimester 1A   Y      
2015 Singapore Campus Trimester 2A   Y      
2015 Singapore Campus Trimester 3A   Y      

The information displayed above refers to study periods and locations where the course is available for first time entry. Students are normally only offered or admitted to a course once.

* The course itself may not be available either solely internally or externally but individual units may be offered in either or both of those modes. Prospective students should contact the Course Coordinator for further information.

^ Course and associated units are offered in this mode permitting International Onshore student enrolment.

# Course and associated units are offered in this online only mode and DO NOT permit International Onshore student enrolment.




Course Structure Hrs/Wk Credit
Year 1
STRP-EMCNC v.1   Emergency Nursing Stream (GCert ClinNurs) 100.0
  OR  
STRP-NEONC v.1   Neonatal Nursing Stream (GCert ClinNurs) 100.0
  OR  
STRP-POPNC v.1   Perioperative Nursing Stream (GCert ClinNurs) 100.0
  OR  
STRP-PHCNC v.1   Primary Health Care and Community Nursing Stream (GCert ClinNurs) 100.0
  OR  
STRP-COCNC v.1   Coronary Care Nursing Stream (GCert ClinNurs) 100.0
  OR  
STRP-ACCNC v.1   Acute Care Nursing Stream (GCert ClinNurs) 100.0
  OR  
STRP-OSCNC v.1   Wound, Ostomy and Continence Practice Stream (GCert ClinNurs) 100.0
  OR  
STRP-PBPNC v.1   Plastics and Burns Practice Nursing Stream (GCert ClinNurs) 100.0
  OR  
STRP-PICNC v.1   Paediatric Intensive Care Nursing Stream (GCert ClinNurs) 100.0
  OR  
STRP-HDPNC v.1   High Dependency Nursing Stream (GCert ClinNurs) 100.0
  OR  
STRP-ICNUC v.1   Intensive Care Nursing Stream (GCert ClinNurs) 100.0
  OR  
STRP-CAHNC v.1   Child and Adolescent Health Nursing Stream (GCert ClinNurs) 100.0
  100.0



Further Information

If you need more course information, you may contact the relevant areas: For Current Students: Student Services Office, please click here for further details: For Domestic Future Students: Future Students Centre, email: futurestudents@curtin.edu.au Tel: +61-8-9266 1000 For International Future Students: Curtin International, email: international@curtin.edu.au Tel: +61-8-9266 7331


Course Structure Disclaimer

Curtin University reserves the right to alter the internal composition of any course to ensure learning outcomes retain maximum relevance. Any changes to the internal composition of a course will protect the right of students to complete the course within the normal timeframe and will not result in additional cost to students through a requirement to undertake additional units.




Handbook

The Courses Handbook is the repository of Curtin University ("Curtin") course information. While Curtin makes all reasonable endeavours to keep this handbook up to date, information on this website is subject to change from time to time. Curtin reserves the right to change the: course structure and contents, student assessment, tuition fees and to: withdraw any course or its components which it offers, impose limitations on enrolment in any unit or program, and/or vary arrangements for any course without notification via the website.

For course and enrolment information please visit our Future Students website.