Postgraduate Certificate in Advanced Nursing Practice (Rural and Remote) (PCNP) - PGradCertANP(R&R)

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Program focus

This program has been developed for registered nurses wishing to further their knowledge and advance their nursing practice skills in the context of rural and isolated practice. Some courses have a compulsory clinical placement requirement, which will require liaison with the USQ Professional Placements Office.

Professional accreditation

The Postgraduate Certificate in Advanced Nursing Practice (Rural and Remote) has been developed for registered nurses wishing to further their knowledge and advanced skills in the area of rural and isolated practice.It is currently accredited with Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Authority (AHPRA).The four courses comprising the Postgraduate Certificate in Advanced Nursing Practice (Rural and Remote) equip Registered Nurses to apply to the AHPRA for the endorsement of Remote and Isolated Practice (RIPERN)

Program objectives

Successful completion of the program will enable the graduate to:

• manage the care of individuals and groups in the rural and/or isolated practice context

• engage in effective, supportive, collaborative practice

• practice in a legally and ethically justifiable manner according to professional requirements and standards

• manage the use of staff and physical resources in the rural and isolated practice areas

• advocate and protect the rights of individuals or groups regardless of their cultural background and/or geographical situation

• demonstrate the ability to engage in nursing activities to improve health care in rural and isolated areas.

Admission requirements

For admission into the Postgraduate Certificate, an applicant must:

• be a registered nurse with an unrestricted licence to practice as a registered nurse

• have a Bachelor of Nursing Degree or equivalent experience or qualifications. A formal process of Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) may assess registered nurses without a Bachelor degree who wish to gain entry to the program on the basis of equivalent experience or qualification. Please contact the Program Coordinator if you are unsure of your eligibility for admission on this basis

• have evidence of recent and/or current acute nursing practice experience.

How to apply

Domestic students

Application for postgraduate programs may be made directly to USQ.

Program fees

Commonwealth supported place

A Commonwealth supported place is where the Australian Government makes a contribution towards the cost of your higher education and you as a student pay a student contribution amount, which varies depending on the courses undertaken. You are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the Course Fee Finder.
Commonwealth Supported students may be eligible to defer their fees through a Government loan called HECS-HELP.

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.
Permanent Humanitarian Visa holders, Permanent Resident visa holders and New Zealand citizens who reside outside Australia pay full tuition fees.
Domestic full fee paying students may be eligible to defer their fees through a Government loan called FEE-HELP.

Program structure

The program contains four one-unit courses.

Required time limits

Students have a maximum of 2 years to complete this program.

IT requirements

Students should visit the USQ minimum computing standards 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.

Other program requirements

Insurance requirements

All students must have and produce certified copies of current basic life support competency and annual medication competency. These requirements must be maintained for the duration of this student's study in the program. This mandatory documentation is necessary for all students undertaking clinical placement.

Residential schools

Some courses have a compulsory clinical placement requirement. Placements must be coordinated through liaison with the USQ Professional Placements Office.

There is no mandatory requirement to attend residential schools in Toowoomba during the program.

Recommended enrolment pattern