This course is of two years duration, offered part-time and by the distance education mode. The structure consists of three core subjects and five specialist subjects in community health.
Aims
The course has been designed to provide registered nurses with in-depth knowledge and specialist skills to promote effective functioning in the community health area. Graduates should therefore be capable of functioning as advanced care givers in the community health settings, be able to demonstrate an ability to apply advanced problem-solving skills to patient and community care, and be equipped to respond to an increasingly complex health care environment.
Objectives
On successful completion of the course, it is expected that students should be able to:
* clearly identify the role of the nurse in community health and primary health care practice;
* appreciate research into community health nursing;
* appreciate social policy as it is applied to regional and community health care issues and the provision of nursing services;
* effectively carry out individual, family and community assessments which identify health problems and obstacles to health and well-being, and outline strategies/interventions through which these can be overcome;
* compile a detailed community profile that identifies obstacles to health and outline community development strategies/interventions through which they can be overcome;
* effectively act as a health education and resource persons to individuals, families and communities;
* act as catalysts for change and innovation in community health nursing.
Entry requirements
Applicants should satisfy the general entrance requirements to the university, be registered as a nurse with an appropriate statutory authority and have successfully completed an undergraduate degree. Experience in the relevant area of practice is desirable.
Course outline - community health
Year one
First semester
* GHS8746 Lifespan development: a psychosocial perspective
* GHS7642 Health education and promotion
Second semester
* GHS7742 Community health: principles and practice
* GHS7740 Population health
Year two
First semester
* GHS7741 Family health
* GHS7640 Methods of information collection, analysis and usage
Second semester
* GHS7743 Community health practice: specialities
* GHS7744 Clinical project