Online Courses Handbook 2003

151604 v.2 Master of Nursing in Substance Misuse

MNursSubMisuse(Curtin)

Introduction
This collaborative course between the Western Australian (Nextstep specialist Drug and Alcohol Services) and the School of Nursing and Midwifery has been specifically designed for nurses registered with the Nurses Board of Western Australia, Division One, and is a condition of entry. It enables those with the Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Nursing (Substance Misuse) to further develop specialist studies at the masters level. It also provides for those with a bachelors degree and relevant clinical experience in the field of addiction work to further advance studies at a masters level.

Course Entry Requirements/Prerequisites
A nursing degree or a related discipline degree, have two years clinical experience in substance misuse and have completed the Certificate in Clinical Nursing (Substance Misuse) through the Western Australian (Nextstep specialist Drug and Alcohol Services) or have registration as a Nurse or Midwife, with a postgraduate diploma in a relevant area, also with one years experience in a relevant clinical speciality or with a postgraduate diploma in a non-related area and two years experience in a relevant clinical speciality.

Specific Requirements
Applicants for this course should refer to the Communicable Diseases and Criminal Record Screening/Clearance Section of this publication.

Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of prior learning of 100 credits may be awarded to those with a bachelors degree but without a relevant postgraduate diploma if they have at least two years relevant clinical experience as an advanced practitioner (Level Two or higher) and have completed the approved agency course.

Duration and Availability
This fee paying course is of three semesters duration or equivalent part-time. As most units are offered only once in each year and in the required sequence of study, there is some limitation of choice for those studying part-time.

Intermediate Awards
A student who has successfully completed all the requirements of the Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Nursing (Substance Misuse) may apply under exceptional circumstance provisions for graduation in that award subject to approval of the Head of School. For further definition refer to the Statement and Awards section under General Information.

Course Organisation
Students complete the advanced nursing practice component of this course within an approved hospital and or agency course.

Additional Course Expenses
Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks, readers and other vital study materials. In addition, students may also need to contribute some of the cost of consumables, which varies depending on the area of study.

Course Structure Hrs/Wk Credit

Year 1 Full Year

13187 v.2 #* Nursing 521 - Substance Misuse 24.0 125.0

4960 v.3 * Nursing Studies 571 1.0 25.0

150.0

Year 1 Semester 1

13364 v.2 Nursing Studies 575 2.0 25.0

25.0

Year 1 Semester 2

4712 v.3 Qualitative Methods in Health Research 582 4.0 25.0

OR

13152 v.2 Health Research Methods 681 4.0 25.0

25.0

Year 2 Semester 1

13452 v.2 Clinical Nursing Project 690 24.0 75.0

13453 v.2 Advanced Nursing 673 2.0 25.0

100.0

# A clinical practice program.

#* Both of the above.

* This is a full year unit completed over both semesters of an academic year. No result is given until the end of semester two.

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