307494 v.1 Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Specialisation (Family and Community Health)

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Introduction
The Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Specialisation (Family and Community Health) is designed to prepare Registered Nurses for the diverse role of Community Health Nurse. The program is built on a generic base with the option of four pathways in Community Health Nursing. The pathways offered are - Child Health, School Health, Community Generalist and Community Mental Health. 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 within the student's specialty of choice the curriculum includes a preceptored clinical practicum.

Course Entry Requirements/Prerequisites
Applicants must be registered in Division I with the Nurses Board of Western Australia with a Bachelor of Science (Nursing), or its equivalent. Alternate mode of entry (non-degree) will be offered to nurses registered in Division I with the Nurses Board of Western Australia but without an undergraduate degree. Similarly, Registered Mental Health Nurses without an undergraduate degree will be eligible to enrol and pursue the Community Mental Health pathway. Non-degree students must meet the School of Nursing and Midwifery's criteria for alternate mode of entry. Nurses without a midwifery qualification wishing to pursue the Child Health pathway will be required to complete a Maternity Nursing Program prior to entry. International applicants must be registered in Division I with the Nurses Board of Western Australia with a Bachelor of Science (Nursing), or its equivalent and meet English language competency as per university entry requirements.

Recognition of Prior Learning
Applications for recognition of prior learning are assessed on an individual basis.

Duration and Availability
This fee-paying course is of two semesters full-time duration or equivalent part-time.

Course Organisation
Students will complete the clinical practice unit of this course in an approved community agency under the preceptorship of a Community Health Nurse.

Career Opportunities
Graduates will be able to seek employment in community health practice in metropolitan, rural and remote area settings.

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 Semester 1
303709	v.2		Evaluation and Research Methods 601	4.0	25.0
			OR
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
306931	v.1		Advanced Nursing Practice - Primary Health Care 561	6.0	25.0
306934	v.1		Advanced Nursing Practice - Promoting Health 561	6.0	25.0
307495	v.1		Developmental Health 561	4.0	25.0
					100.0
Year 2 Semester 2
307498	v.1		Community Nursing Specialisation 562	8.0	50.0
307499	v.1		Community Nursing Practice 562	14.0	25.0
			SELECT 1 OPTION		25.0
					100.0
Optional Units (No Year Level Specified)				Hrs/Wk	Credits
5755	v.6		Managerial Effectiveness 571	3.0	25.0
6115	v.9		Health Services Management 584	4.0	25.0
13294	v.2		Communication Skills 511	2.0	25.0
13295	v.2		Counselling Theory and Practice (1) 512	2.0	25.0
13367	v.2		Health Services Quality Development 583	3.0	25.0
306933	v.1		Cross Cultural Perspectives of Health Care Practice 561	6.0	25.0
306937	v.1		Advanced Practice - Mental Health 562	6.0	25.0
306939	v.1		Addiction Studies for Advanced Nursing Practice 562	6.0	25.0
306942	v.1		Advanced Practice - Women's Health 562	6.0	25.0
306943	v.1		Advanced Practice - Sexually Transmissible Infections 562	6.0	25.0
307496	v.1		Immunisation 562	4.0	25.0
307497	v.1		Partnership Models 562	4.0	25.0

Availability

Year	Location	Period	Internal	External
2003	Bentley Campus	Semester 1	Y	Y

The information displayed above refers to study periods and locations that students are eligible to be offe red and admitted to this course for the first time only.