Graduate Diploma of Nursing (Palliative Care)

• The course
• Aims
• Objectives
• Entry requirements
• Synopsis
  • Core subject
  • Specialty subjects
  • Elective subjects

The course

Peninsula campus (on-campus)
Course code: 1270
Course coordinator: Ms S Lee
In a health care environment that is rapidly changing, a constant factor is that people who are dying and their loved ones, need control over their lives. Nurses who have successfully completed this course of study will be equipped with skills and knowledge to participate within a multidisciplinary team in the provision of physical, emotional and spiritual support for people with terminal illness and their families. Through such support, the expert palliative care nurse is able to foster client decision making in situations often clouded by misunderstanding and confusion.

Aims

The palliative care nurse must combine a high level of knowledge, interpersonal skills and an ability to solve complex problems in a variety of environments. The course aims to:

• + facilitate the acquisition of theoretical knowledge, skills and attitudes inherent in palliative care practice;
• + develop the ability to critically and systematically evaluate practice;
• + consider the diversity in needs of individuals, clients, their families and carers in a variety of care environments;
• + promote practice which recognises legal and ethical codes of conduct and the importance of patient advocacy;
• + foster the development of strategies to involve individuals, groups and the community as the unit of palliative care.

Objectives

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

• + conceptualise the philosophy of hospice and palliative care as it applies to clinical practice;
• + demonstrate understanding of political and policy decisions that impact on the practice of palliative care;
• + utilise the decision-making process in assessing planning and evaluating problems related to clients, caregivers and the community, involved with terminal illness;
• + plan care that reflects their critical analysis of the clients cultural and spiritual beliefs and of the client's needs in relation to grief and bereavement;
• + utilise a range of options in assisting clients to maintain their preferred lifestyle;
• + analyse a range of palliative care skills related to caring for clients and their families;
• + critically analyse the professional issues that impact on palliative care;
• + efficiently utilise palliative care resources;
• + interpret and critically appraise quantitative and qualitative research.

Entry requirements

A degree, a current RN practising certificate, and at least one year relevant professional clinical experience. Special entry is available.

Synopsis

The Graduate Diploma of Nursing (Palliative Care) 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 three elective subjects negotiated with course coordinator.

Core subject

• + NGS6201 Research I

Specialty subjects

• + NSG6301 Introductory perspectives on palliative care and the hospice concept
• + NSG6302 Principles and practice in hospice and palliative care
• + NSG6303 Professional issues in hospice and palliative care
• + NSG6305 Interpersonal relations in palliative care

Elective subjects

• + NSG6202 Research II
• + NSG6304 Clinical studies in palliative care
• + 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.