Graduate Diploma in Primary Care Nursing (GD-PCN)
Graduate DiplomaYear: 2022 Delivered: On Campus
About this course
Coordinator
Professor Kelsey Hegarty
Contact
Melbourne Medical School
Currently enrolled students:
- Contact Stop 1
- General information: https://ask.unimelb.edu.au
Future students:
- Further information and enquiries: http://go.unimelb.edu.au/9vca
Overview
| Award title | Graduate Diploma in Primary Care Nursing |
|---|---|
| Year & campus | 2022 |
| Fees information | Subject EFTSL, level, discipline and census date |
| Study level & type | Graduate Coursework |
| AQF level | 8 |
| Credit points | 100 credit points |
| Duration | 12 months full-time or 24 months part-time |
THERE ARE NO INTAKES TO THIS COURSE IN 2020.
The Graduate Diploma in Primary Care Nursing is a tailored program for nurses working in a primary care setting that delivers comprehensive and evidence-based education in chronic disease, prevention, quality systems and safety, women’s health, mental health or youth health. The program also teaches strategies for health promotion, risk management and advanced nursing practice. Commonwealth government policy priorities in primary health care include an enhanced role for the practice nurse and this has been recognised in the course subjects. This program is delivered by flexible education (distance, online and face-to face).
Entry requirements
1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed:
- an undergraduate degree in nursing or a three-year diploma of nursing or equivalent; and
- at least one year of documented relevant professional experience in a clinical setting; and
- National Division 1 registration.
Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.
2. In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:
- prior academic performance; and
- professional 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 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.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
Students must comply with Fitness to Practice Rules, which are accessible from Schedule 1 of the Student Fitness to Practice Policy (MPF1345).
For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Objectives, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.
It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of the Graduate Diploma in Primary Care Nursing students should be able to:
- Practice effectively patient centred and preventive clinical care
- Contribute to effective teamwork and manage change and risk in the workplace
- Deliver safe and effective nursing care and case management to patients with chronic illness
- Provide an evidence based approach to clinical care in a range of clinical areas of their choice that builds on their previous experience
Graduate attributes
Academically excellent
- value a strong sense of intellectual integrity and the ethics of scholarship
- practice with in-depth knowledge of their specialist discipline(s)
- establish a high level of achievement in writing, generic research activities, problem solving and communication
- demonstrate critical and creative thinking, with an aptitude for continued self-directed learning
- exhibit 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
- exhibit the capacity to participate fully in collaborative learning and to confront unfamiliar problems
- demonstrate a set of flexible and transferable skills for different types of employment
Leaders in communities
- initiate and implement constructive change in their communities, including professions and workplaces
- demonstrate 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
- operate as a well-informed citizen able to contribute to their communities wherever they choose to live and work
- demonstrate an understanding of the social and cultural diversity in our community
- respect indigenous knowledge, cultures and values
Active global citizens:
- demonstrate the acceptance of social and civic responsibilities
- advocate for improving the sustainability of the environment
- demonstrate a broad global understanding, with a high regard for human rights, equity and ethics
At the completion of this course, students should be able to demonstrate:
- the capacity for information seeking, retrieval and evaluation
- critical thinking and analytical skills
- an openness to new ideas
- the ability to communicate scientific knowledge through oral, written and web based media
- professional leadership skills
Course structure
To attain the Graduate Diploma in Primary Care Nursing, students must complete 100 credit points, comprising of four (4) core subjects and 50 credit points of elective subjects.
Selected subjects are available to students enrolled in the Master of Advanced Nursing Practice. Enrolment is dependent on meeting prescribed registration and clinical experience requirements.
Subject options
Subject Requirements
Core Subjects
Students must complete the following core subjects (50 credit points)
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| NURS90104 | Chronic Disease Management: Foundations |
Semester 1 (Online)
Semester 2 (Online)
|
12.5 |
| NURS90105 | Chronic Disease Management: In Practice |
Semester 1 (Online)
Semester 2 (Online)
|
12.5 |
| NURS90106 | Advanced Nursing Practice: Primary Care | Not available in 2022 | 12.5 |
| GENP60002 | Preventive Health Care | No longer available |
Elective subjects
Choose subjects worth total of 50 credit points from the list below
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| POPH90070 | Clinical Sexual & Reproductive Health | Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| POPH90169 | Adolescent Sexuality and Sexual Health | Semester 1 (Online) |
12.5 |
| POPH90167 | Young People in Context | Semester 1 (Online) |
12.5 |
| NURS90013 | Community Mental Health | Not available in 2022 | 12.5 |
| NURS90077 | Foundations of Mental Health Nursing | March (Online) |
12.5 |
| NURS90078 | Assessment in Mental Health Nursing | Summer Term (Online) |
12.5 |
| NURS90086 | Quality and Safety in Healthcare | Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| NURS90070 | Implementing Evidence for Practice | September (Online) |
12.5 |
| GENP90008 | Women's Health Screening | No longer available | |
| GENP60001 | Significant Issues in Women's Health | No longer available | |
| POPH90068 | Prevention and Control of STIs and HIV | Semester 2 (Online) |
12.5 |
| POPH90069 | Sexual and Reproductive Health | Semester 2 (Online) |
12.5 |
| GENP90017 | Nurse Immuniser |
Semester 1 (Online)
Semester 2 (Online)
|
12.5 |
| GENP90015 | Youth Health in Primary Care | No longer available |
Further study
Completion of the Graduate Diploma provides credit toward the Master of Advanced Nursing Practice (Melbourne School of Health Sciences, Nursing).
Graduates may progress to a range of other graduate coursework programs.
Last updated: 21 February 2025