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Specialist Certificate in Cancer Nursing (SC-CNCRNUR)
Specialist CertificateYear: 2019 Delivered: Online
About this course
Coordinator
Trevor Saunders
Contact
Melbourne School of Professional and Continuing Education
Email: continuing-education@unimelb.edu.au
Phone: + 61 3 8344 0149
Monday to Friday 8am to 9pm AEST/AEDT. Weekends and University of Melbourne observed Public Holidays 10am to 5pm AEST/AEDT.
Further information: https://study.unimelb.edu.au/find/courses/graduate/specialist-certificate-in-cancer-nursing/
Overview
Award title | Specialist Certificate in Cancer Nursing |
---|---|
Year & campus | 2019 — Parkville |
Fees information | Subject EFTSL, level, discipline and census date |
Study level & type | Graduate Coursework |
AQF level | Non-AQF |
Credit points | 25 credit points |
Duration | 6 months part-time |
The Specialist Certificate in Cancer Nursing is an online 25 credit point, part‐time, coursework program of six months duration. Students undertake two 12.5 subjects across two Terms. Admission is based on a Bachelor of Nursing degree (or equivalent) and recent clinical experience within the last five years of applying for the course.
The course provides students with a sound understanding of the theoretical knowledge and scientific advances that underpin care management of people who are affected by cancer. Students will begin to develop the ability to apply the knowledge learned in this course when providing care to patients and their families affected by cancer. Students will have knowledge regarding essential cultural, legal and ethical decision‐making principles in planning care for the person affected by cancer.
It is recommended that students undertaking this course are employed in their area of specialty practice (e.g. cancer‐care services) as a pathway to the Graduate Certificate in Nursing Practice.
Entry requirements
1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have:
- Completed a Bachelor or Nursing (or equivalent qualification, i.e. Master of Nursing Science entry to practice); and
- Documented evidence of clinical experience in area of specialty practice within the preceding five years from the time of application; and
- Current unrestricted registration as a Division 1 Registered Nurse with AHPRA or equivalent registration with an international health practitioner regulation agency.
Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection
2. In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:
- Prior academic performance
- Area of speciality practice and clinical experience
3. The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Academic Board rules on the use of selection instruments.
4. Applicants are required to satisfy the university’s English language requirements for graduate courses. For those applicants seeking to meet these requirements by one of the standard tests approved by the Academic Board, performance band 6.5 is required.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook. Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Intended learning outcomes
The course learning outcomes are adapted from competency standards for nurses in cancer control (The National Cancer Nursing Education Project (EdCaN), Cancer Australia, 2009).
The Specialist Certificate in Cancer Nursing provides students with the theoretical knowledge and an understanding of the scientific advances specific to cancer nursing by:
- Applies essential legal and ethical decision-making principles in planning care for the person affected by cancer
- Recognises the potential hazards associated with the provision of cancer therapies and complies with safety regulations
- Acknowledges the need to ensure people affected by cancer have adequate knowledge of the potential benefits and adverse effects of cancer treatment while respecting their beliefs and preferences
- Understands the impact the diagnosis of cancer has on multidimensional domains of health and well-being
- Considers culturally appropriate care that demonstrates respect and understanding for people's beliefs and preferences regarding cancer and its treatment
- Understands the principles for assessing and managing the clinical and supportive care needs of the person affected by cancer
- Accesses evidence-based resources to understand patient-centred treatment and management plans
- Identifies and understands the range of support services available to the person affected by cancer and their family/support network
- Considers nursing care that incorporates physical, psychological, social, cultural and spiritual aspects and knowledge pertaining to the care of the person affected by cancer
- Demonstrates knowledge of how to access and refer to tertiary-level cancer-care services
- Knowledge to understand the scientific advances in treatment modalities available to care for persons affected by cancer
- Knowledge of the importance of health literacy and its impact on patient experience and outcomes
Generic skills
- Apply a high level of problem solving skills to their area of clinical practice
- A high level of critical thinking and analytical skills
- A high level of oral and written communication skills
- Feel confident when tackling unfamiliar problems
- The ability to plan their own work
Graduate attributes
The Melbourne Experience enables our graduates to become:
Academically excellent:
- have a strong sense of intellectual integrity and the ethics of scholarship
- have in-depth knowledge of their specialist discipline
- reach a high level of achievement in writing, generic research activities, problem-solving and communication
- be critical and creative thinkers, with an aptitude for continued self-directed learning
- be adept at learning in a range of ways, including through information and communication technologies
Knowledgeable across disciplines:
- examine critically, synthesise and evaluate knowledge across a broad range of disciplines
- expand their analytical and cognitive skills through learning experiences in diverse subjects
- have a set of flexible and transferable skills for different types of employment
- have the capacity to participate fully in collaborative learning and to confront unfamiliar problems
Leaders in community:
- initiate and implement constructive change in their communities, including professions and workplaces
- have excellent interpersonal and decision-making skills, including an awareness of personal strengths and limitations
- mentor future generations of learners
- engage in meaningful public discourse, with a profound awareness of community needs
Attuned to cultural diversity:
- value different cultures
- be well-informed citizens able to contribute to their communities wherever they choose to live and work
- have an understanding of the social and cultural diversity in our community
- respect indigenous knowledge, cultures and values
Active global citizens:
- accept social and civic responsibilities
- be advocates for improving the sustainability of the environment
- have a broad understanding, with a high regard for human rights, equity and ethics
Course structure
Students must commence the course undertaking Applied Pathophysiology (NURS90076) and then complete Foundations in Cancer Nursing.
Students will commence with the pre‐requisite subject, Applied Pathophysiology which is a 12.5 CP subject offered wholly online in the non‐standard study period January and Term 3. Students can enrol in Applied Pathophysiology in the January study period or Term 3.
Students then complete Foundations in Cancer Nursing which is a 12.5 CP subject offered in Term 4 in 2019 and 2020. In 2021, students will be able to enrol in this subject in Term 2 and Term 4.
Subject options
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
NURS90076 | Applied Pathophysiology |
Summer Term (Online)
Term 3 (Online)
|
12.5 |
NURS90121 | Foundations in Cancer Nursing | Term 4 (Online) |
12.5 |
Last updated: 18 December 2020