SCU - Graduate Certificate in Primary Health Care Nursing

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Course summary

The role of the primary health care and general practice nurse is expanding and evolving. In line with current health reforms, nurses now occupy positions of advanced practice and leadership in primary care settings.

Our Graduate Certificate in Primary Health Care Nursing is designed for busy registered nurses who want access to further professional development.

Through studies in primary health care practice and philosophy, managing chronic and complex health conditions, clinical reasoning and assessment, you gain skills and experience in the particular world of primary health care, consolidating their clinical and professional knowledge. In bringing you up-to-date with the latest clinical and professional initiatives, this course recognises, supports and broadens the important contribution that nurses make in our communities.

It's also a stepping stone to further postgraduate study, research, advanced practice nursing or to the role of Nurse Practitioner in primary health care.

Domestic snapshot

Duration	Location	Study Period
8mths P	Online	2

Duration

Location

Study Period

8mths P

Online

International snapshot

Major areas of study

Learning outcomes

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.

Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome
Intellectual rigour	Exercise critical thinking and judgement in identifying and solving problems with intellectual independence
Creativity	Apply knowledge and skills creatively in health and community related challenges
Ethical practice	Demonstrate well developed judgement and use of ethical framework(s) in primary health care situations
Knowledge of a discipline	Demonstrate an advanced theoretical and practical knowledge in primary health care settings
Lifelong learning	Reflect on, assess and regulate their own learning and research capabilities and performance with personal autonomy and accountability Locate, analyse, evaluate, manage and use information from a range of sources with an emphasis on evidence based primary health care
Communication and social skills	Communicate to demonstrate understanding of theoretical concepts and to transfer complex knowledge and ideas to a variety of audiences Work in collaboration with others and in a team to achieve self-determined goals
Cultural competence	Demonstrate an understanding of Indigenous Australian contemporary realities and protocols Demonstrate cultural competence in incorporating individual's cultural perspectives into health care provision

Assessment methods

Teaching methods

On-campus students experience a variety of teaching approaches including lectures, tutorials, online activities and video-linked or podcast virtual classes. The method of teaching may vary from unit to unit.

Our online study option is highly interactive and strives to promote collaboration and a sense of community. Students may receive a combination of podcast or video-linked lectures, electronic study materials, workshops, online discussion forums and virtual classes. The method of teaching may vary from unit to unit.

Career opportunities

Type

Detail

Course code

1008103

Course abbreviation

GradCertPHCN

Credit points

Equivalent units

Duration

8 months part-time

Availability details

Location	Study Period
Online	2

Fees

Fee paying

Type	Detail
Course code	1008103
Course abbreviation	GradCertPHCN
Credit points	48
Equivalent units	4
Duration	8 months part-time
Availability details
Admission Requirements	Qualification equivalent to an Australian Bachelor degree. Refer to the Course Structure tab for specific admission requirements.

Learning Resources

MySCU is a student's point of entry to a range of online services and resources that support study and student life. The portal includes unit learning sites and information sites where students can access resources, communication tools and useful links that are integral to their studies.

The web-based study environment Blackboard Learn delivers an advanced online learning environment for students and lecturers to communicate and collaborate through virtual meeting spaces, classrooms, and discussion boards. They can share files, presentations and applications. If a tutorial or lecture is recorded, students can view it afterwards.

Learning materials include the provision of unit information guides, study guides and readings. Students may need to purchase or access prescribed text books.

The SCU Library provides a wide range of services that include face-to-face and online help, and access to print and electronic resources.

The Academic Skills team supports student learning by offering online and on-campus academic skills workshops, assignment reviews and small group or one-on-one face-to-face, phone or Skype consultations during business hours 9am to 4.30pm. Appointments can be made via the MySCU Hub 'Connect Now' button or on the Academic Skills home page. Students can also book appointments online in Career Hub.

The Studiosity service provides online after-hours study support for SCU students. This service is available from 4pm to midnight Sunday to Friday via the 'Connect Now' button on MySCU Hub or from a link in nominated unit learning sites. The Studiosity service offers generic writing feedback and live online chat assistance for foundational concepts and study skills.

Equipment and facilities

Southern Cross University provides students with modern well equipped teaching spaces such as lecture theatres, classrooms, and studios or laboratories tailored to meet the needs of specific study disciplines. Contemporary audiovisual equipment is standard in most teaching venues, and students have access to computer labs for individual study purposes.

Course structure

See the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, in conjunction with the Specific Award Rules listed below.

Admission requirements

All applicants must:

have successfully completed a minimum three year Bachelor qualification, or equivalent, in a health, psychology or social science related discipline; and
be a Registered Nurse with current Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) registration.

Course requirements

To be eligible for the Graduate Certificate in Primary Health Care Nursing a candidate shall successfully complete all units listed in the Schedule of Units.

Schedule of units

	Title	Level of learning	Note
	NRS81003 - Primary Health Care Practices and Philosophy	Introductory
	NRS82002 - Management of Chronic and Complex Health Conditions	Intermediate
	NRS82001 - Clinical Reasoning and Assessment Skills	Intermediate
	NRS82003 - Enhancing and Expanding Practice	Intermediate

This course is available to:

Australian/Domestic students

Notice

The information on this page may be subject to change over time. Please check this web page again before acting and see our disclaimer

From the 1st of June, 2017, the term 'Distance Education' has been replaced with 'Online'

Graduate Certificate in Primary Health Care Nursing

Course summary

Domestic snapshot

International snapshot

Major areas of study

Learning outcomes

Assessment methods

Teaching methods

Career opportunities

Learning Resources

Equipment and facilities

Course structure

Table of contents

Admission requirements

Course requirements

Schedule of units

This course is available to:

Australian/Domestic students

Where and when do you want to study?

Online

Study Period 1

Study Period 2March 2020

Study Period 3

Study Period 4

Study Period 5

Study Period 6