Graduate Certificate in Nursing (Psychiatric Nursing)*

• The course
• Aims
• Objectives
• Entry requirements
• Course outline
  • First semester
  • Second semester

The course

*Pending Council approval.
Peninsula campus (distance education)
Course code: 0699
Course coordinator: Mr S Elsom
Course fee: $4000 - (not HECS funded)
Special requirements: Students are required to have access to a personal computer and a modem.
This one-year part-time course is designed to respond to the needs of registered nurses who wish to gain the skills and knowledge necessary to care for people with psychiatric and mental health problems. The course is offered by distance education mode and makes extensive use of computer technology to facilitate communication between students, teaching staff, clinical experts and customers.

Aims

To provide registered nurses with skills and knowledge to care for people who have psychiatric and mental health problems.

Objectives

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

• + demonstrate knowledge of the clinical features and management of common psychiatric disorders;
• + appreciate the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in the community;
• + demonstrate knowledge of a range of psychotherapuetic interventions;
• + describe the roles and functions of nurses and other health professionals within a multidisciplinary mental health service;
• + develop a greater self awareness and demonstrate effective counselling skills;
• + communicate effectively with people who are experiencing disturbances of thoughts, feelings and behaviour and with their families and carers;
• + utilise a range of skills and effective therapeutic strategies in meeting the needs of people with mental illness, their families and carers.

Entry requirements

A degree in nursing or related discipline and current registration as a nurse. Special entry may be available.

Course outline

First semester

• + NSG5215 Foundations of psychiatric nursing
• + NSG5214 Counselling

Second semester

• + NSG5227 Integrated mental health care
• + NSG5216 Clinical practicum