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Postgraduate Diploma of Mental Health Nursing (PMHN) - PMHlthNurs
| | Distance education |
| Semester intake: | Semester 1 (February)
Semester 2 (July)
Semester 3 (November) |
| Fees: | Domestic full fee paying place
|
| Standard duration: | 2–4 years part-time maximum |
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Program focus
Upon successful completion of this program, registered nurses
will have the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to practise
as specialist mental health nurses in primary, secondary and tertiary
settings.
This program prepares nurses to practise as Mental Health Nurses
and enables them to work as clinically skilled members of mental health
teams in developing and established services.
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
Program objectives
The program objectives incorporate the ideals of the Australian
College of Mental Health Nurses 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 registration with the Australian Health Practitioner
Regulation Agency) with a three-year degree or diploma from an
Australian University or an equivalent qualification.
-
Evidence of current employment in a mental health service as
a registered nurse or of at least 12 months experience working in
a mental health service.
Registered Nurses who wish to gain entry to the program on the
basis of equivalent experience or qualifications or who have not studied
an appropriate research methods course may be required to complete
the course NUR2300 Research Methods for Nursing before being admitted to the program.
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.
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 consists of eight courses each worth one unit, 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
There are no clinical requirements.
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.
Articulation
A student completing all courses in the Postgraduate Diploma
of Mental Health Nursing program may apply to articulate into the Master of Nursing program, provided the student has not
graduated from the Postgraduate Diploma. A student articulating to
the higher degree will only receive the Master of Nursing award. Such
students will be given full credit for all courses completed whilst
studying the Postgraduate Diploma. Students must advise the Faculty
in writing (sciences.support@usq.edu.au) of their intention
to articulate and this must occur prior to graduation from the Postgraduate
Diploma of Mental Health Nursing.
Exemptions
Up to four exemptions may be applied for. However normally a
student must complete at least six units of courses offered by USQ
whilst enrolled in this program.
Recommended enrolment pattern
