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Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing

2008 | 2009 | 2010

Division of Health Sciences | School of Nursing and Midwifery

Program Code: IGML

Program Level: Postgraduate

SATAC code: 4GD048

Home Campus: City East

Program Length (in EFTSL): 1

Program director/s

Your Program Orientation (for commencing and continuing students)

HOW TO APPLY

DOMESTIC STUDENTS ONLY

From 11th August 2008 applications to this program are online via SATAC's Gradstart portal.

How to enrol in this program.

Police Checks
All students in the Division of Health Sciences who undertake field or clinical placements, or participate in University clinics as part of their program, must have had a police clearance prior to the commencement of any placement or clinic activity.

Aim

The Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing aims to prepare competent nurses who are able to care for clients experiencing mental health problems and their families.

Entry requirements

Entrants to the program shall normally hold a relevant university degree or equivalent professional qualifications from a recognised university or educational institution. Applicants who do not meet these entry requirements but have other qualifications and/or appropriate demonstrated experience equivalent to the above may be considered for entry in accordance with University policy.

Applicants who are Registered Nurses must also be eligible for professional registration with the Nurses Board of South Australia.

Content/structure

The area of study is mental health in diverse contexts. Mental health incorporates mental health promotion, prevention as well as intervention for those experiencing mental illness. Mental health study is supported by bio-psychosocial and behavioural sciences as well as a knowledge of pharmacology. Emphasis is also placed on the practice of mental health care for a multicultural society in metropolitan, rural and remote clinical settings. The program is also designed to provide graduates with the skills to be lifelong learners and thus able to extend their competence and knowledge through critical analysis and reflection on practice. The program requires completion of 36 units of study.

Fee information

Fees for Domestic students: Commonwealth Supported
Fees for Commonwealth Supported Students are calculated at the course level. Click on individual courses in the schedule below to determine total program fees.


Program requirements

Course name Area + Cat. No. Units EFTSL
NURS 507190.250
NURS 507390.250
NURS 507290.250
NURS 507490.250

Rules

    1. Police Check: All students in the Division of Health Sciences who undertake field or clinical placements, or participate in University clinics as part of their program, must have had a police clearance prior to the commencement of any placement or clinic activity.
    2. Credit for previous studies or exemption from work within courses may be granted in accordance with University policy.
    3. Credit will be given for Perspectives in Mental Health Nursing (NURS 5071) in the Graduate Diploma of Mental Health Nursing IGML if the student can provide proof of successful completion of the course "Introduction to mental health for acute care nurses and allied health professionals" offered by the Repatriation Hospital and providing students are assessed clinically competent by engaging  in a minimum of 75 hours clinical experience in a mental health facility.
    4. Registered Nurses seeking to complete the requirements for registration to practice as a registered Mental Health Nurse (MHN) with the Nurses Board of South Australia must complete the entire program satisfactorily.
    5. The course Perspectives in Mental Health Nursing (NURS 5071) must be taken as the first course in the program and the course Consolidation of Mental Health Nursing Practice (NURS 5074) must be taken as the final course in the program. 
    6. Students are required to satisfy the standard of dress and behaviour as prescribed by institutions in which field placements are undertaken. Failure to satisfy such requirements may prevent them satisfying the requirements for the completion of the program.
    7. An exit point leading to the award of Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Nursing is available for students unable to complete the Graduate Diploma program. To qualify for the Graduate Certificate students must have completed satisfactorily the following courses:
      NURS 5071 - Perspectives in Mental Health Nursing
      NURS 5073 - Theoretical Approaches to Mental Health Nursing Practice.

Notes

    1. Nursing students are required to pass clinical placements in each course to be eligible for professional registration as a Mental Health Nurse.
    2. Due to the rigorous demands of the program, students are advised that they should be physically fit. In addition, before commening clinical placements, students may be required to undergo a medical examination as determined by the relevant venue.
    3. It is recommended that all students have current immunisations before commencing clinical placements. Failure to satisfy such requirements may limit placement opportunities in some health care settings.
    4. All courses have on-campus workshops. In some courses these are compulsory unless otherwise negotiated with the Course Coordinator.


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