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Curtin University
Courses Handbook 2011

This handbook contains information for courses and units at Curtin in 2011.
Information for current year courses and units is available at Courses Handbook 2010.

313720 v.1 Master of Nursing Practice

Course CRICOS Code: 064467B
Registered full-time Duration for International Onshore Students on student visas: 2 Years

Introduction

The Master of Nursing Practice is two year coursework program leading to eligibility for registration as a nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. The two year course comprises of four semesters. The course provides a comprehensive program of study involving a diverse range of simulated practice and fieldwork, interprofessional learning, contemporary blended learning and advanced clinical skill development. The course emphasises the close integration of evidence based theory and clinical practice. Theory content is comprehensive and includes the physical, biological, psychological and social sciences.

Course Entry Requirements

All applicants must hold a recognised Bachelors degree or equivalent and have a demonstrated academic ability at the undergraduate and/or postgraduate level. Essential pre requisites include completion of a human biology related unit at tertiary level. Students who have not completed tertiary units in the above mentioned areas will be able to study these unit(s) through the 313696 Health Sciences Graduate Entry Foundation courses to study the required prerequisite unit.

Specific Requirements

Applicants will be required to have completed an application for postgraduate coursework degree form and provide certified copies of academic transcripts and a detailed curriculum vitae. Criminal record and health screening must be obtained prior to students entering any clinical placement. More information is available in the Curtin Handbook http://handbook.curtin.edu.au Applicants are required to successfully complete a Senior First Aid Certificate or equivalent by the completion of the first semester of the course. Manual handling competency is a requirement for the course; training will be necessary in the first year of the course.

Note

Evidence of completion of a Senior First Aid Certificate is required before commencement of the course. A Criminal Record Screening Check must be completed prior to commencement of the course.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of prior learning will be assessed on an individual basis.

Duration and Availability

The course is taken over two years of full-time study or equivalent part-time and is offered twice a year, in February and July at the Bentley campus. Australian citizens and permanent residents may have the choice of full-time or part-time study. International students studying in Australia on a student visa are required to undertake a full-time internal study load.

Course Organisation

The course emphasises developing relevant clinical skills to meet the needs of changing healthcare. A large proportion of the course involves simulated learning and practical experience in a variety of hospital and community settings and includes the care of people of all ages across healthy to acutely unstable states. Clinical visits range from observation visits to more prolonged periods in selected health agencies where students are given increasing involvement and responsibility in nursing activities under the supervision of academic and industry staff. The clinical experience may involve a rural placement and shiftwork, including night duty and weekend work. The course will be offered in a variety of flexible learning modes which include face-to-face teaching, workshops, seminars, laboratories, on-line learning, laboratories and clinical practice. Student learning is assessed from theoretical and clinical practice perspectives. Theory is assessed through problem based learning via exams, essays, close-studies, group work and student presentations. Clinical competence is assessed in laboratories using simulation and in clinical settings under supervision. Clinical practice is assessed using the NMBA Competency Standards for registered nurses.

Professional Recognition

This course has been designed to meet the regulations of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. Students who successfully complete the course requirements are eligible for recommendation by the Head of School to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia for registration as Division 1 comprehensive registered nurses. Registration is subject to meeting all requirements of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. To meet the registration requirements of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia students are expected to complete the course within 5 years. Failure to complete the course in the allocated time period may necessitate undertaking additional units to ensure currency of practice.

Career Opportunities

Nursing features in metropolitan, rural and remote settings. The graduate nurse may be able to practice as a beginning practitioner, competent to practice in a variety of health care contexts.

Additional Course Expenses

Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks, other essential study materials and purchase a uniform for clinical practice.

Special Note

Application documentation required: Application for Admission to a Postgraduate Coursework Degree Form; certified copies of academic transcripts and a detailed curriculum vitae. On completion of this course, you will not be eligible for registration to practice as a Registered Nurse (RN), unless you are able to meet the State/National Registration Standards. These include (but are not limited to): Assessment of your initial nursing qualification and registration; Criminal History Screening; English Language Proficiency; Assessment of any health, conduct or performance issues. For more information on the registration process or standards, please refer to the Nurses and Midwives Board of Western Australia: www.nmbwa.org.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.

Course Structure Hrs/Wk Credit
Year 1 Semester 1
312649 v.2   Indigenous Culture and Health 130 2.0 12.5
313026 v.1   Nursing Practice 161 6.0 25.0
313027 v.1   Inquiry for Nursing Practice 161 5.0 12.5
313030 v.1   Applied Bioscience 263 5.0 25.0
313033 v.4   Nursing Practice 263 48.0 25.0
  100.0
Year 1 Semester 2
311296 v.1   Professional Practice Issues 562 3.0 25.0
311299 v.1   Nursing Practice 562 8.0 25.0
313034 v.1   Applied Bioscience 264 6.0 25.0
313039 v.1   Behavioural Health Science for Nursing and Midwifery 365 4.0 25.0
  100.0
Year 2 Semester 1
311301 v.1   Behavioural Perspectives of Mental Health 563 5.0 25.0
312437 v.1   Nursing Practice 565 286.0 25.0
312438 v.1   Holistic Nursing Care in Context 565 5.0 25.0
313038 v.1   Applied Bioscience 365 6.0 25.0
  100.0
Year 2 Semester 2
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
311225 v.1   Clinical Leadership 561 3.0 25.0
313047 v.2   Nursing Practice 467 44.0 50.0
  100.0

Availability

Year Location Period All* Internal Partially Online Internal^ External Fully Online#
2011 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.