Graduate Certificate in Nursing Practice (Acute and Complex Care) (GC-NPACC)
Graduate CertificateYear: 2020 Delivered: Online
About this course
Contact
Phone: + 61 3 8344 0149 Monday to Friday 8am to 9pm. Weekends and University of Melbourne observed Public Holidays 10am to 5pm.
Further information: https://handbook.unimelb.edu.au/2020/courses/gc-npacc
Principal Coordinator
Andrew Scanlon
Overview
Award title | Graduate Certificate in Nursing Practice (Acute and Complex Care) |
---|---|
Year & campus | 2020 — Parkville |
Fees information | Subject EFTSL, level, discipline and census date |
Study level & type | Graduate Coursework |
AQF level | 8 |
Credit points | 50 credit points |
Duration | 12 months part-time |
The Graduate Certificate in Nursing Practice (Acute and Complex Care) is a clinical coursework program designed to advance the knowledge and clinical practice skills of nurses who are specialising in general clinical settings, including medical, surgical or renal.
The course is nationally and internationally relevant, providing students with a sound understanding of the scientific knowledge and evidence that underpins knowledge and skill development in nursing practice. Students will develop the ability to apply knowledge to understand the practice of providing nursing care to individuals experiencing acute alterations in their health status.
The Graduate Certificate in Nursing Practice (Acute and Complex Care) provides students with advanced knowledge and skills for advanced nursing practice and provides a pathway for further learning including the Masters of Advanced Nursing Practice.
Entry requirements
- In order to be considered for entry, applicants must:
- Have completed a three-year undergraduate degree in the discipline of nursing, or equivalent
- Have at least one (1) year documented evidence of clinical experience as a Registered Nurse working in an acute, sub-acute or community health care service within the preceding five years from the time of application
- Be employed a minimum of 24 hours per week for the Nursing Practice subjects
- Be nominated by their Education Manager or other Health Service representative to undertake the clinical components of the course
- Have unrestricted registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (or equivalent for international nurses) for subjects with clinical components only.
Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.
- In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:
• prior academic performance; and
• the work experience
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.- Applicants are required to satisfy the university’s English language requirements for postgraduate 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.
Notes:
Graduates who successfully complete the subjects ‘Applied Pathophysiology’ and ‘Nursing Specialty 1’ are eligible to receive the Specialist Certificate in Nursing Practice as an exit award.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.The University is dedicated to providingsupport to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website. http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/
Intended learning outcomes
- Specialised theoretical and technical knowledge, including demonstrating the ability to acquire and apply new knowledge and skills in nursing practice;
- Cognitive skills to review, analyse, consolidate and synthesise new and existing knowledge and identify and provide solutions to complex problems in delivering nursing care;
- Cognitive skills to think critically and to generate and evaluate complex ideas in nursing practice;
- Specialised technical and evidence-based skills to inform nursing practice;
- A high level of verbal and written communication skills to demonstrate an understanding of theoretical concepts;
- Effective communication skills when transferring knowledge and ideas to patients, their carers and family;
- The ability to make evidence-based judgements and decisions in a range of technical situations and to inform nursing practice;
- The ability to initiate, plan, implement and evaluate nursing practice; and
- The ability to demonstrate advanced clinical reasoning skills including demonstrating the responsibility and accountability for nursing interventions.
Generic skills
- Increased capacity to develop problem-solving and analytically skills
- Increased capacity to work with as an effective team-member as part of the interdisciplinary health care team
- Increased confidence when facing unfamiliar problems and an increased capacity to problem-solve and mange patient-related problems
- Increased ability to articulate their knowledge and understanding in written modes of communication
- Increased capacity to manage competing demands on time and the ability to plan and prioritise their own work, including undertaking further self-directed learning where needed
- Increased ability to critically analyse and evaluate research and professional literature in the area of health.
Graduate attributes
Graduates from the Graduate Certificate in Nursing Practice are aligned with those of The Melbourne Graduate; and further distinguished by the Australian Qualification Framework (AQF), Level 8.
The Melbourne Graduate
- The University of Melbourne educational experience prepares well-rounded graduate who are academically outstanding, practically grounded and socially responsible. Melbourne's graduates are distinguished by their broad outlook and openness to different perspectives. Melbourne's degrees develop research and reasoning skills that equip graduates to be influential citizens with high leadership potential. The University's graduates engage with national and global issues and are attuned to social and cultural diversity. They have high levels of self-awareness and value their personal integrity and well-being.
Academic distinction
- A Melbourne degree provides graduates with in-depth knowledge of their specialist disciplines and skills in examining issues with multiple disciplinary perspectives. Melbourne graduates are critical, creative thinkers with strong reasoning skills. They can apply knowledge, information and research skills to complex problems in a range of contexts and are effective oral and written communicators. The Melbourne educational experience prepares graduates to be entrepreneurial and innovative thought-leaders. Melbourne graduates bring research and inquiry skills to challenges in their workplaces and communities. They are adept lifelong learners who generate bold and novel ideas by critically evaluating alternative possibilities and viewpoints.
Active citizenship
- Melbourne graduates have engaged with contemporary local, national and global issues and developed an appreciation of the Asian region. They have a high regard for human rights, social inclusion, ethics and the environment. Melbourne graduates are aware of the social and cultural diversity in communities and can work collaboratively with people from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds. In particular, they have an understanding of and deep respect for Indigenous knowledge, culture and values. The Melbourne experience supports a commitment to civic service in graduates' lives and careers, equipping them to be active, well-informed citizens who make substantial contributions to society. Graduates have the potential to be leaders in their professions and communities, with the capacity to work effectively across disciplines and cultures. Through advocacy and innovation they are able to lead change for a sustainable future.
Integrity and self-awareness
- Melbourne graduates are motivated, self-directed and well-organised, with the ability to set goals and manage time and priorities. They are able to work effectively both independently and in groups. They are also highly self-aware and reflective, with skills in self-assessment, and place great importance on their personal and professional integrity. The opportunities offered by the Melbourne experience help prepare graduates who are enthusiastic, self-assured and confident of their knowledge, yet flexible, adaptable and aware of their limitations. Melbourne's graduates are willing to explore, experiment and learn from mistakes. They have empathy and concern for the welfare of others and can manage their own well-being.
Course structure
To qualify for the Graduate Certificate in Nursing Practice, students must successfully complete three core compulsory subjects and two core selective subjects from the list below (50 credit points). Students are required to successfully complete Applied Pathophysiology, the pre-requisite subject to Nursing Specialty 1 and Nursing Practice 1. Students must successfully complete Nursing Specialty 1 and Nursing Practice 1 before commencing Nursing Specialty 2 (selective) and Nursing Practice 2 (selective).
Subject options
Compulsory subjects
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
NURS90076 | Applied Pathophysiology |
Summer Term (Online)
June (Online)
|
12.5 |
NURS90112 | Nursing Specialty 1 | March (Online) |
12.5 |
NURS90114 | Nursing Practice 1 | March (Online) |
6.25 |
Selective subjects
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
NURS90111 | Nursing Specialty 2 (Renal) | June (Online) |
12.5 |
NURS90113 | Nursing Specialty 2 | June (Online) |
12.5 |
NURS90115 | Nursing Practice 2 |
June (Online)
September (Online)
|
6.25 |
NURS90116 | Nursing Practice 2 (Renal) |
June (Online)
September (Online)
|
6.25 |
Further study
All graduates can progress onto the Masters of Advanced Nursing Practice.
Graduates enrolling into the Master of Advanced Nursing Practice can choose a coursework or minor thesis pathway.
Last updated: 5 January 2021