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Indigenous Health and Nursing (HLTH90019)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 6.25On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

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Semester 1 (Early-Start) - On Campus
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This subject aims to introduce students to the history and culture of the Australian Indigenous peoples in the context of a common global Indigenous experience of colonisation.  Students undertaking this subject will develop an increased awareness of colonisation and how it influences nursing practice and impacts upon the health and wellbeing of the Indigenous peoples of Australia.   When engaging with this subject, students will develop knowledge and skills to be able to apply principles of cultural safety and cultural competence to professional nursing practice. 

Further, it is envisaged that students will develop lifelong culturally responsive capacity and capability to work with and for Indigenous Australian Peoples of Australia. 

This subject was developed in accordance with ANMAC Accreditation Standards and the University of Melbourne, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences Indigenous Curriculum Framework. 

 

Intended learning outcomes

Through respectful partnerships and collaboration with Indigenous Peoples:

  • Develop an informed awareness of pre-invasion Indigenous health and history.
  • Recognise Indigenous knowledge and understandings of country, culture and identity as they apply to Indigenous health and wellbeing
  • Appraise the impact of historical and contemporary colonisation on the health and wellbeing of Indigenous peoples in the context of the global Indigenous experience
  • Develop insight and understanding of Indigenous knowledges of theory, practice and ways of knowing, being and doing in the context of colonisation and health
  • Articulate Australian Indigenous health disparity and burden of disease in the context of Indigenous concepts of health
  • Develop awareness of local and national strategies to reduce health inequalities including self-determining strategies to promote community health and wellbeing
  • Engage with concepts underpinning cultural capabilities including respect, communication, safety and quality, reflection and advocacy
  • Develop intercultural sensitivity and capabilities extending beyond formal education and practice
  • Engage in exploring own cultural identity and use critical reflexive (reflect and respond) practice to challenge own views, assumptions and actions (or inaction)
  • Create (at an entry to practice level) collaborative, cultural, leadership and advocacy capabilities to promote Indigenous health and wellbeing
  • Engage in and communicate knowledge and arguments effectively while maintaining cultural awareness, respect and sensitivity

Generic skills

  • At the completion of this subject, students should be able to demonstrate: • the capacity for information seeking, retrieval and evaluation; • critical thinking and analytical skills; • an openness to new ideas; • critical reflexive practice (self-reflection of own cultural ideas and values that influence nursing practice) • cultural awareness, respect and sensitivity; • planning and time management skills; • the ability to work effectively in a team; • the ability to communicate knowledge through classroom and web-based discussions and written material.

Last updated: 23 December 2025