Print version
Master of Mental Health Nursing (MMHN) - MMHlthNurs
| | Distance education |
| Semester intake: | Semester 1 (March)
Semester 2 (July)
Semester 3 (November) |
| Fees: | Domestic full fee paying place
|
| Standard duration: | 2–4 years part-time maximum |
Contact us
Program focus
Upon successful completion of this program, registered nurses
will be eligible to apply for endorsement with the Queensland Nursing
Council as a mental health nurse. Graduates will have the knowledge,
skills and attitudes necessary to practise as specialist mental health
nurses in primary, secondary and tertiary settings.
Professional accreditation
This program prepares nurses to practise as Endorsed Mental
Health Nurses and enables them to work as clinically skilled members
of mental health teams in developing and established services. The
program is accredited by the Queensland Nursing Council for endorsement.
Clinical performance will be evaluated by clinical facilitators approved
by the Department of Nursing and Midwifery, USQ
Program aims
The aims of this course are to enable the graduate to:
-
generate and apply knowledge about the biological, psychological,
social, cultural and spiritual aspects of the human experience of
health and illness
-
work towards empowering individuals, groups and communities
to achieve, maintain and restore optimal health
-
gain advanced knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to practice
as a specialist mental health nurse in primary, secondary and tertiary
settings
-
develop an awareness of the implications for mental health care
of the cultural and linguistic diversity of Australian society and
gain the knowledge and skills required to provide culturally appropriate
care to individuals and groups
-
gain advanced knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to contribute
to the attainment of the national and state goals for mental health
in keeping with the strategic directions of the Health Department
-
be eligible for endorsement with the Queensland Nursing Council
as a Mental Health Nurse (for those who hold registration with the
Queensland Nursing Council).
Program objectives
The program objectives incorporate the ideals of the Australian
and New Zealand College of Mental Health Nurses (1995) and the Department
of Nursing and Midwifery. Successful completion of the program will
enable graduates to:
-
provide primary, secondary and tertiary interventions using
a variety of treatment modalities to promote the health and wellness
of individuals, families and communities
-
practise within accepted legal and ethical frameworks
-
critically analyse information relevant to their profession
i.e. clinical data, government policy, research findings, and apply
this knowledge to their practise area
-
develop a professional identity including independence, interdependence,
authority and partnership and contribute to the ongoing development
of the mental health nursing and mental health care.
Admission requirements
Applicants meeting the following criteria may be accepted into
the program:
-
Registered Nurse (You will need to provide a certified copy
of your current Annual Licence Certificate) with a three-year
degree or diploma from an Australian University or an equivalent qualification
-
access to quality ongoing clinical experiences in a variety
of settings.
Program fees
Domestic full fee paying place
Domestic full fee paying places are funded entirely through
the full fees paid by the student. Full
fees vary depending on the courses that are taken. You are
able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the Course Fee Finder.
Domestic full fee paying students may be eligible to defer their
fees through a Government loan called FEE-HELP.
Program structure
The program consists of eight courses each worth one unit with
four focusing specifically on mental health nursing. In the remaining
four courses the focus of the assessment will be on mental health
nursing.
Required time limits
Students have a maximum of 4 years to complete this program.
Clinical requirements
Students are required to undertake a minimum of 320 hours of
supervised clinical experience in mental health services approved
by the Program Coordinator. While there is some flexibility in determining
a suitable program of clinical experience, all students must undertake
a minimum of 80 hours in each of the broad mental health areas of
community, rehabilitation, acute inpatient and a specialist area (e.g.
forensic, child/adolescent, psychogeriatric) with an emphasis on understanding
the interactions between areas and on the importance of continuity
of care.
IT requirements
Students should visit the USQ Recommended
Hardware and Recommended Software sites to check that their computers are
capable of running the appropriate software and versions of Internet
web browsers and to check the minimum and recommended standards for
software.
Residential schools
One course, MHN5130
, has a requirement for a five-day compulsory residential
school.
Other information
Queensland Health employees are eligible to apply for a scholarship
through their employer.
Recommended enrolment pattern
