Monash University Handbook 2010 Undergraduate - Course

The aim of the Bachelor of Nursing (Psychological Studies) is to develop a graduate who has completed a major in psychology and is able to demonstrate a psychological approach to their care, who is a highly capable individual able to work in partnership with the interdisciplinary mental health team.

On completion of the course the graduate should be able to:

• provide holistic, psychological and person centred care as a beginning practitioner in a variety of health care settings within local and global perspectives
• incorporate the individual's psychological, cultural, spiritual, and social values in planning, implementing and evaluating care
• practice in a manner that is reflective of the ethical and legal dimensions of the disciplines
• act as a reflective practitioner recognising the learning needs of themselves and others
• interpret and apply evidence-based practice as a foundation for person centred care
• demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively as a member of the multidisciplinary team
• contribute to the delivery of high quality patient care
• demonstrate an understanding of contexts in which health care is delivered within national and global perspectives
• investigate and critically evaluate a range of issues related to psychological inquiry
• contribute to discipline knowledge through the research process, through identification of problems, design and investigation, the application of statistical methods and communication of research findings
• recognise the importance of the relationship between knowledge of the scientific discipline of psychology and the application of this knowledge in the practice of nursing and psychological care.

Police checks and Working with Children checks

Organisations that host clinical and community placements require students to have current Police and Working with Children checks regarding their suitability to undertake such placements. All enrolled and prospective students are advised that they will be required to obtain Police and Working with Children checks prior to undertaking their course. Working with Children checks are valid for five years and are available free. Police checks must be applied and paid for annually. However, in some community partnered programs, there may be a requirement to have a police check renewed every six months.

Drug Administration Policy

Students should be aware of their legal responsibilities regarding the administration and storage of drugs. In addition, it is the policy of the School of Nursing and Midwifery that where drugs are required to be checked by two people prior to administration; the student and supervisor (clinical teacher or registered nurse) are considered as one person. Students should be aware of the drug administration policy relevant to the particular year of study. For more information please visit http://www.med.monash.edu.au/nursing/current.html and refer to the section entitled 'Clinical Guidelines'.

Vaccination Policy

It is required that students obtain relevant vaccinations prior to clinical placements for presentation to the course coordinator on request.

Clinical practice units

This course requires students to undertake off-campus clinical placements. In the clinical setting students will have an opportunity to apply theory to practice under supervision. Attendance is mandatory for the clinical component of each unit.

Clinical experience makes up approximately 50 percent of the course. Generally speaking, students on clinical experience will take on shift work, including weekend shifts and night duty and work a supervised, unpaid 40 hour week. Make-up for time missed will be arranged in consultation with the clinical coordinator on receipt of a medical certificate.

Where a student's skill or knowledge is found to be inadequate, access to the clinical component of the unit will be denied. A student may be withdrawn from a clinical practicum if required skills and knowledge are deemed inadequate, or on other grounds deemed appropriate by the head of school.

Clinical expenses

Students are responsible for all travel and accommodation expenses during clinical placement. Uniforms and accessories are required for clinical placements and students will be notified regarding purchase arrangements upon commencement.

Successful completion of the course will lead to eligibility for registration as a registered nurse (Division 1) with the Nurses Board of Victoria.

Students complete 28 compulsory units comprising 27 core units and one elective, many of which have clinical practice requirements.

First year

First semester

• BMS1901 Human structure and function 1
• NUR1001 Professional communication
• NUR1101 Perspectives of health and wellness
• PSY1011 Psychology A

Second semester

• BMS1902 Human structure and function 2
• NUR1102 Health assessment in clinical practice
• NUR1202 Legal issues and concepts
• PSY1022 Psychology B

Second year

First semester

• NUR1003 Nursing, society and culture
• NUR2002 Nursing practice in context 1
• PSY2051 Research design and analysis

Second semester

• NUR1022 Cultural responsiveness for health care professionals
• NUR2004 Nursing practice in context 2
• NUR2104 Nursing practice: Mental health nursing A

Third year

First semester

• NUR2003 Contexts of health care
• NUR3002 Nursing practice in context 3
• PSY2031 Developmental and biological psychology
• PSY3041 Psychological testing, theories of ability and ethics

Second semester

• NUR3005 Chronicity in health care
• PSY2042 Cognitive and social psychology
• PSY3032 Abnormal psychology

Fourth year

First semester

• NUR3003 Education in health practice
• NUR3104 Mental health practice 2
• PSY3051 Perception and personality
• PSY3120 Introduction to counselling

Second semester

• NUR3004 Preparing for practice
• PSY3062 Research methods and theory
• nursing elective

Bachelor of Nursing (Psychological Studies)