Graduate Certificate in Australian Nursing (EPIQ)

The course is responsive to contemporary nursing practices and provides content and clinical experiences in:

Contextual nursing and health: Australian health care system, primary health care, mental health, acute and complex care, chronic disease management, palliative care, aged care, pharmacology, Indigenous studies.

Professional practice: professional, legal and ethical studies, knowledge development and accountability for practice.

Critical thinking and analysis: reflective practice, self-appraisal, professional development, evidence and research for practice.

Coordination of care: leadership and care management, co-ordination, organisation and provision of nursing care of individuals /groups, planning, implementation and evaluation of care, health informatics.

Collaborative and therapeutic practice: establishing, sustaining and concluding professional relationships with individuals/groups. Provision of independent and interdisciplinary health care.

Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes.

A variety of assessment methods is used in this course including multiple choice examinations, short answer examinations, essay examinations, case studies, tutorial and workshop presentations, debates, written assignments, simulations and clinical skills testing.

In the clinical settings clinical e-portfolios, reflective exercises and clinical competency appraisal is required.

For each unit there are usually two to three assessment items. Students are required to demonstrate an ability to develop and meet the Nurses and Midwives Board of Australia Registered Nurse Standards of Practice, maintain a clinical e portfolio and complete reflective exercises.

This course is offered on campus with students completing foundational theory work via intensive workshops before a consolidated professional experience placement. Students experience a variety of teaching approaches including lectures, tutorials, online activities and video-linked or podcast virtual classes. Online discussion forums support learning throughout the course. The method of teaching may vary from unit to unit.

The course provides graduates with the opportunity to engage in health leadership and management, education, research opportunities and a broad spectrum of clinical nursing specialties, delivering acute and chronic disease management in clinical settings such as; paediatrics, community and primary health care and education; as a practice nurse in GP clinics, mental health, child and adolescent, aged care, perioperative care, Indigenous health, rural and remote area health care, emergency departments and critical care.

Compulsory supervised workplace experiences reflect the current registered nurse standards for practice, major health priorities and contemporary nursing practices. The eight-week placement enables candidates to consolidate theoretical learning and build upon their professional practice.

Professional experience placements require students to fulfil certain prerequisites prior to attending placement (e.g. a working with children check and National Police Certificate). Prior to applying for a course offered by the School of Health and Human Sciences, please consider the important information regarding these requirements.

This course is fully accredited with Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council and provides the necessary qualification for graduates to be eligible to become a Registered Nurse in Australia through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).