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Curtin University
Courses Handbook 2014

This handbook contains information for courses and units at Curtin in 2014.
Information for the previous year's courses and units is available at Courses Handbook 2013.

311750 v.2 Graduate Diploma in Child and Adolescent Health Nursing

GradDipChil&AdolHlth(Curtin)

This course is not available to International Onshore Students on Student Visas



Course Overview

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


This course is designed to prepare registered nurses for the diverse role of the child and adolescent health nurse. Key elements of the curriculum are professional accountability, evidenced-based practice, partnership models and competence to practice. To provide for the development of competency in clinical decision making and clinical judgment, the curriculum includes a preceptored clinical practicum. In this course students will learn to assess, plan, develop, implement and evaluate health promotion and education programs with community participation. They will also develop effective health research skills and learn to critically evaluate research findings and incorporate evidence-based knowledge into their community health nursing practice.


Professional Recognition

Graduates will be eligible to apply for positions in child and adolescent health (child health, school health or general community health).


Career Opportunities

Potential employment for graduates may exist in child and adolescent health practice in metropolitan, rural and remote area settings.


Additional Course Expenses

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



Course Entry and Completion Details

Applicants 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 graduate certificate.


Specifically, applicants must be registered in Division One with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) with a Bachelor of Science (Nursing), or its equivalent. Alternate mode of entry (non-degree) will be offered to nurses registered in Division One with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) but without an undergraduate degree. Non-degree students must meet the School of Nursing and Midwifery's criteria for alternate mode of entry. Nurses who do not have an undergraduate comprehensive or postgraduate midwifery qualification will be required to complete a maternity nursing bridging program prior to entry. Registered Midwives who do not hold a Registered Nursing qualification will not be eligible to apply for this program.


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.


Intermediate Awards

A student who has successfully completed the requirements of an approved intermediate award may apply for graduation in that award subject to approval of Head of School/Department. Fees apply. Intermediate awards approved for this course:


Graduate Certificate in Child and Adolescent Health


Pathway to Further Study

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


Course Entry/Completion Note

Applicants for this course should refer to the Communicable Diseases and Criminal Record Screening and Clearance section of the faculty website.



Course Organisation

Graduate diplomas contain a series of units which may include compulsory (core), optional or elective units to cater for student preferences. They may contain a range of majors/streams for students to choose from to pursue learning in a specialised area of study.


This course comprises a preceptored clinical practicum.


Course Learning Outcomes

A graduate of this course can:

1. analyse psychosocial determinants to effectively integrate principles of primary health care into practice to maintain optimal wellbeing of the individual, family and community

2. identify, analyse the environmental, physical and psychosocial aspects of the individual, family and/or community to determine and plan holistic, evidence based health care needs within a community practice setting

3. locate, extract and interpret relevant evidence and scientific literature; evaluate and synthesise the evidence to inform decision making in community health nursing practice

4. demonstrate quality written, oral and interpersonal communication skills in academic, professional and community health care contexts; promote nursing health care within the community in the context of public health policy

5. use appropriate technologies to practice child and adolescent health nursing practice; collect and manage information ethically and effectively

6. demonstrate ability in interdependent and self-directed learning; identify the use of lifelong learning skills and ability to incorporate learning opportunities in nursing practice

7. recognise national and global child and adolescent health issues and strategic health care directions; relate these to child and adolescent health nursing practice; integrate international evidence based practice into community health nursing practice

8. provide culturally aware and respectful health care provision to multicultural groups and Indigenous communities; integrate principles of cultural security, advocacy and social justice into the care of all clients

9. analyse impacting sociocultural environments to demonstrate professional and ethical practice in child and adolescent health nursing; work collaboratively within an interdisciplinary health care team


Duration and Availability

This fee-paying course is two semesters full-time or equivalent part-time study and is offered in February and July of each year.


Location and delivery Mode


Year Location Period All* Internal Partially Online Internal^ External Fully Online#
2014 Bentley Campus Semester 1 Y        
2014 Bentley Campus Semester 2 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 Semester 1
306931 v.1   Advanced Nursing Practice - Primary Health Care 561 6.0 25.0
307499 v.2   Child and Adolescent Nursing Practice 562 36.0 25.0
307498 v.2   Child and Adolescent Nursing Specialisation 562 8.0 50.0
  100.0
Year 1 Semester 2
306934 v.1   Advanced Nursing Practice - Promoting Health 561 6.0 25.0
307495 v.1   Developmental Health 561 4.0 25.0
301950 v.4   Research and Evaluation in International Health 600 8.0 25.0
  OR  
13152 v.3   Health Research Methods 681 4.0 25.0
  OR  
4712 v.3   Qualitative Methods in Health Research 582 4.0 25.0
  SELECT OPTIONAL UNITS TO THE TOTAL VALUE OF:   25.0
  100.0
Optional Units to Select from in Year 1 Semester 2 Hrs/Wk Credit
306933 v.1   Cross-Cultural Perspectives of Health Care Practice 561 6.0 25.0
5755 v.6   Managerial Effectiveness 571 39.0 25.0
311225 v.1   Clinical Leadership 561 3.0 25.0
13183 v.4   Public Health Nutrition Practice 681 4.0 25.0
13162 v.3   Public Health Nutrition Principles 682 3.0 25.0
311202 v.1   Groups Counselling 500 4.0 25.0
308427 v.2   Refugee and Migrant Health 600 8.0 25.0
301948 v.4   International Health and Primary Health Care 600 8.0 25.0
301952 v.4   Maternal and Child Health in Developing Countries 600 8.0 25.0

*    Students may select an optional unit from any postgraduate course within the University, if it complements the selected study pathway and on approval by the course coordinator




Further Information

For more information about the course, please contact the Faculty of Health Sciences on telephone (08) 9266 1000, email futurestudents@health.curtin.edu.au, or visit our website: http://healthsciences.curtin.edu.au


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 Disclaimer

The online handbook is the repository of Curtin University of Technology (“Curtin”) course information. While Curtin makes all reasonable endeavors to keep its online courses handbook up-to-date, information within this website is subject to change from time to time. Curtin reserves the right to change the contents and/or the method of assessment, to change or alter tuition fees of any unit of study, to withdraw/any unit of study or program which it offers, to impose limitations on enrolment in any unit or program, and/or to vary arrangements for any program without notification via the website.

For course overviews and enrolment information please visit our future students website.