Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.
The Graduate Diploma of Mental Health Nursing is a completely online course designed specifically for registered nurses who wish to increase their specialist knowledge and employment outcomes in mental health.
The course reflects contemporary mental health research and policy and has been designed with the input of leading clinical and academic mental health professionals.
Core units include contemporary mental health theory and practice, physical care, common interventions within acute care contexts, in primary mental health and in a range of health care settings.
The Graduate Diploma of Mental Health Nursing is a completely online course designed specifically for registered nurses who wish to increase their specialist knowledge and employment outcomes in mental health.
The course reflects contemporary mental health research and policy and has been designed with the input of leading clinical and academic mental health professionals.
Core units include contemporary mental health theory and practice, physical care, common interventions within acute care contexts, in primary mental health and in a range of health care settings.
Current Southern Cross students – to access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook.
See the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, in conjunction with the Specific Award Rules listed below.
A Bachelor degree or equivalent in a health, psychology or social science related discipline, and must be a Registered Nurse with access to Mental Health Nursing practice and to credentialed Mental Health Nurses during the course of their study.
English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Overall | 6.5 |
| Listening | minimum 6.0 |
| Speaking | minimum 6.0 |
| Reading | minimum 6.0 |
| Writing | minimum 6.0 |
Domestic students
| Location | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| SCU Online | Summer Term, Term 1, Term 2, Term 3, Term 4, Term 5 |
International students
Applications for this course are made directly to Southern Cross University via our online application service.
To be eligible to receive the Graduate Diploma of Mental Health Nursing, students must complete the equivalent of 8 units (96 credit points), comprising all 8 core units.
Exit Award:
Students may be eligible to exit with the Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Nursing after completing the equivalent of 4 units (48 credit points), comprising any 4 of the first 6 core units.
| Unit Code | Unit Title | Notes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Core Units | |||||
| MHNS5001 | Contemporary Mental Health | ||||
| MHNS5002 | Mental Health Across the Lifespan | ||||
| MHNS6002 | Mental Health in Community, Non-Government and Primary Health Settings | ||||
| MHNS5003 | Acute Mental Health | ||||
| MHNS5004 | Supporting Behaviour Change in Mental Health Contexts | ||||
| MHNS6004 | Physical Health Care in Mental Health | ||||
| Students may be eligible to exit with the Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Nursing after completing any 4 of the above 6 units. | |||||
| PBHL6004 | Leading Evidence-based Practice in Health | ||||
| PBHL5006 | Building a Professional Portfolio | ||||
Outstanding ratings of 'at world standard' or above in 23 research fields.
Excellence in Research Australia (ERA) 2018
Only 25 years young and ranked in the top 200 universities in the world.
Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2020
5-Star Student Support across undergraduate and postgraduate studies
Good Universities Guide 2021
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.
| Course Learning Outcome |
|---|
Critically evaluates and integrates models of treatment relevant to the care continuum, to inform co-constructed personalized care strategies which meet the consumer’s life needs as well as health needs. Generates/translates novel information or theories, making a substantial contribution to the discipline through scholarly activities. |
Engages creatively in therapeutic relationships with mental health consumers their families and significant others, which are characterized by co-construction of care and collaborative engagement. Critically appraises the nature and extent of influences (social, political, economic and organizational) to overcome constraints in negotiation of options for clinical interventions. |
Advocates for mental health consumers, challenging discrimination and public discourse, minimising stigma through the use of positive portrayal and working toward social inclusion and independence. Interrogates and challenges the concepts of risk and safety from the basis of consumer centred care considering social protection, legal, moral and ethical principles to balance risk in recovery. |
Exercises expert/enhanced clinical judgement and decision-making and insight in novel situations in specialist mental health disciplines in pursuit of optimal consumer outcomes. Negotiates and executes the role of chosen mental health discipline in a multidisciplinary and multi-professional approach. |
Consistently demonstrates a high level of autonomy, accountability, adaptability and responsibility in self-directed work and learning. Engages in and leads others in collaborative critical reflection on clinical practice and achievement of lifelong learning outcomes. |
Develops and maintains partnerships in care (individually and with groups) with mental health consumers and their families which focuses on the recipient of care, the person’s right to choice and self-determination, and the person’s inherent capacity for recovery. Consistently and judiciously uses information technology, compelling and authoritative written and verbal communications. |
Respects individual worldviews and enhances their own critical thinking to lead others in challenging assumptions underpinning world views. Adjusts clinical practices to incorporate consumer’s cultural perspectives into mental health planning and interventions. |
Assessments in this course include written essays, shorter critical reflections and developing holistic consumer-focused care plans based on a well-developed formulation and the best available evidence. Weekly activities, readings and case studies are laid out with step-by-step instructions that are specifically designed to support you toward the successful completion of the assessment tasks.
The course is completely online and offers flexibility for you to fit your study within other life commitments. Each adult student brings with them valuable knowledge and experience. The online platform and course design encourages you to read or view learning materials and then collaborate, discuss and debate ideas with fellow students and lecturers. Our multi-modal approach delivers content including video, audio and written materials designed to extend your mental health nursing practice capabilities.
This course offers the opportunity to expand and refresh a nursing career, enter into a mental health nursing career or advance within the mental health nursing profession.
Graduates can use this qualification as part of their application to the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses for credentialled Mental Health Nurse status, the only specialist award for the discipline.
No professional placement is required but it expected that students will have had some mental health nursing experience or access such experience over the course of their studies.
This course has received accreditation from the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses and completion meets the educational requirements for credentialling as a Mental Health Nurse.