310082 v.3 Postgraduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing

PGradDipMenHlthNurs(Curtin)

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

Introduction

The Postgraduate Diploma in Mental Health has a two fold purpose. Firstly it is designed for registered nurses seeking a career pathway in the mental health care system and secondly it allows nurses currently working in the mental health area to seek advance specialisation in the area of mental health. The course is recognised as a qualification for the speciality of mental health nursing with the Nurses and Midwives Board of Western Australia as stated under section 31(2)(b) of the Nurses and Midwives Act 2006. Key elements of the curriculum are professional accountability, evidence-based practice and competence to practice in the mental health care system. To provide for the development of competency in clinical decision-making and clinical judgement within the student's specialty area the curriculum includes preceptored clinical placements.

Course Entry Requirements/Prerequisites

Applicants must be registered in Division One with the Nurses and Midwives Board in a state of Australia as a comprehensive or general nurse with a Bachelor of Science (Nursing), or its equivalent. Alternate entry will be offered to nurses registered in Division One with the Nurses and Midwives Board of Western Australia.

Specific Requirements

Students require a Criminal Record Screening and Clearance before commencing the course.

Recognition of Prior Learning

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

Course Organisation

Students who do not have a comprehensive or mental health registration will be required to complete the clinical unit (Mental Health Nursing Practice 501) as an option unit in Semester One of their study program. In Semester Two they will be required tocomplete Mental Health Nursing Practice 562. There are two clinical practice units which will be in an approved mental health care facility under the preceptorship of a mental health nurse and students will complete a 500 hour equivalent clinical component.

Additional Course Expenses

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

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
306937	v.1	Advanced Practice - Mental Health 562	4.0	25.0
309853	v.1	Mental Health Nursing 562	4.0	50.0
		SELECT 1 OPTION		25.0
				100.0
Year 1 Semester 2
307495	v.1	Developmental Health 561	4.0	25.0
309854	v.1	Mental Health Nursing Practice 562	5.0	25.0
311225	v.1	Clinical Leadership 561	3.0	25.0
4712	v.3	Qualitative Methods in Health Research 582	4.0	25.0
		OR
13152	v.3	Health Research Methods 681	4.0	25.0
		OR
301950	v.3	Research and Evaluation in International Health 600	8.0	25.0
				100.0
Optional Units (No Year Level Specified)			Hrs/Wk	Credit
13152	v.3	Health Research Methods 681	4.0	25.0
13182	v.3	Mental Health Promotion 690	2.0	25.0
301950	v.3	Research and Evaluation in International Health 600	8.0	25.0
303027	v.2	Community Contexts and Policy Directions in Mental Health 601	2.0	25.0
306933	v.1	Cross-Cultural Perspectives of Health Care Practice 561	6.0	25.0
307449	v.1	Counselling Theory and Practice (1) 512	3.0	25.0
308427	v.1	Refugee and Migrant Health 600	8.0	25.0
311202	v.1	Groups Counselling 500	36.0	25.0
311905	v.1 *	Mental Health Nursing Practice 501	21.0	25.0
4712	v.3	Qualitative Methods in Health Research 582	4.0	25.0
5755	v.6	Managerial Effectiveness 571	39.0	25.0

Students who do not have a comprehensive or mental health nursing registration will be required to complete this clinical unit as an optional unit in semester one of their study program

Availability

Year	Location	Period	All*	Internal	Partially Online Internal^	External	Fully Online#
2010	Bentley Campus	Semester 1	Y
2010	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.