1999 Medicine Handbook - Graduate Diploma of Nursing (Community Health)

Graduate Diploma of Nursing (Community Health)

The course
Aims
Objectives
Entry requirements

The course

Peninsula campus (on-campus/distance education)
Course code: 1246
Course coordinator: Jenny Oates
The Graduate Diploma of Nursing (Community Health) consists of eight subjects which will normally be completed over a period of two years. Successful completion of the course requires the study of one core research subject, at least four specialty subjects, and up to three elective subjects negotiated with the course coordinator.

Aims

The course aims to facilitate acquisition and application of knowledge, skills and attitudes required for competent community health care practice by graduate nurses. Graduates should 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 integrated health care environment.

Objectives

On successful completion of the course, students should be able to:

clearly identify the domain of community health care nursing practice in relation to its philosophical base, role and functions in health care;
demonstrate a knowledge of public health concepts;
appreciate social policy as it is applied to regional and community health care issues and the provision of nursing services;
analyse and utilise health promotion strategies and models of behavioural change for health in a community environment;
effectively work in interdisciplinary teams and coordinate community care for individuals, families and groups;
liaise and advocate with other social and health institutions on behalf of individuals, families, groups and communities;
interpret and critically appraise quantitative and qualitative research;
demonstrate a working knowledge of health program planning, delivery and evaluation;
act as catalysts for change and innovation in community health nursing.

Entry requirements

To be eligible for admission, an applicant would normally:

have relevant registration (eg Division 1 with the Nurses Board of Victoria);
have at least one year of nursing experience; and
have a degree in nursing or related discipline.

Core subject

NGS6201 Research I

Specialty subjects

NSG5501 Foundations of community health nursing
NSG5503 Health promotion
NSG5508 Family health studies
NSG5509 Community mental health studies
NSG5510 Community care

Elective subjects

NSG5214 Counselling
NSG6202 Research II
NSG6900 Management of client health/illness states

Students may also select up to three subjects from other graduate subjects offered by the school or, subject to approval, from other departments of the university.