Program summary

Program type: Master of Mental Health Nursing
Award abbreviation: MMentalHlthNurs
Degree type: coursework
Mode of study: on campus (blended)
Duration: 1 year full-time; 2 years part-time
Commence: Semester 1 or Semester 2
Fee type 2011: Commonwealth supported places, postgraduate coursework places, international fee-paying places
Total courses: 8
USC program code: SC720
CRICOS code: 060945J

Highlights

• Professional development for Registered Nurses
• Learn to work in a mental health setting
• Gain leadership skills and enhance your practice

Become a specialty mental health nurse.

This program prepares registered nurses to function as specialty mental health nurses in a variety of mental health care settings. It aims to produce graduates who are critical thinkers that effectively use available evidence and reflective practices to enhance their clinical effectiveness.

Gain an understanding of the fundamentals of modern mental health nursing practice through an examination of the history of psychiatry and different approaches to the care of people with mental disorders. Examine and critique advanced assessment tools used in mental health care, particularly in the assessment of risk. Develop your knowledge, skills and abilities, and use evidence as a base for early interventions and family work, the management of clients with alcohol and other drugs, motivational interviewing, and crisis intervention.

Examine social dimensions of mental health including contemporary cultural and social theories that shape how mental disorders are conceptualised and treated. Explore and critically reflect on political, moral and ethical perspectives relevant to the Australian mental health system. Develop your interpersonal skills through a variety of reflective practices such as peer review, consumer feedback, clinical supervision, mentorship and preceptorship.

Offered in an internal/blended mode, some courses lend themselves to weekly or regular class attendance throughout the semester, while others run in a series of full or part day intensive workshops with greater online support of students. This flexibility in attendance responds to the varied work patterns of registered nurses and increases your ability to schedule university study around work commitments.

A diversity of assessment methods are used to develop a wide range of advanced mental health nursing practices, and to allow you to focus on particular aspects of your mental health nursing practice that may be unique to your setting or interest. These include practice-based assignments, seminar presentations, group work, self-assessment, peer assessment, contract learning, and reflective assessment tasks.

The Master of Mental Health Nursing has been fully accredited with the QNC until 2012.

Professional recognition

Graduates are eligible to apply to be credentialed as a Mental Health Nurse by the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses.

Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) - Registration

For professional registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), graduates are required to demonstrate English language skills at IELTS level 7 or equivalent. Test results from relevant examinations will generally need to be obtained within two years prior to applying for registration. For current information about AHPRA registration go to http://www.ahpra.gov.au/

Admission requirements

Students will be registered nurses with a current licence to practice nursing in their State and would normally have completed a relevant undergraduate degree. Students would normally be employed as a registered nurse in a mental health setting (unit of a hospital, community mental health team or similar) or where they would have access to children, adolescents or adults with mental health issues and/or disorders for the equivalent of two days per week for the duration of the program.

Applicants who are not currently employed in a clearly defined mental health setting or are enrolled in a general nursing transition to practice program that offers a placement in the mental health setting may be admitted at the discretion of the Program Coordinator.

International students will demonstrate an IELTS score of 7 on entry to the program and have gained registration as a nurse and a current or temporary licence to practise as a registered nurse in Queensland. 

The program may appeal to international applicants who have mental health nursing qualifications in their own country. These applicants should be aware that completion of the program may not lead to Australian nursing registration.

Study Plan

This Study Plan is valid from Study Period 1, 2011.

For students who commenced study in this program prior to Study Period 1, 2011:

• Find the Student Handbook for the semester in which you commenced.
• Select the program in which you are enrolled.
• Either scroll down to the Program Structure, or select the Recommended Enrolment Pattern link.

Program requirements and notes

• Students are required to complete 8 courses as listed below.
• Important: New students should complete their enrolment and obtain a student card as early as possible to enable access to the web-based learning modules that need to be completed before each workshop.
• Students will be registered nurses with a current licence to practice nursing in their State and would normally have completed a relevant undergraduate degree.
• A series of workshop swill be held on campus, which are mandatory to attend. The workshop schedule and information about getting started on linewill be available from the Program Leader via email: mmcallis@usc.edu.au
• Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
• International students need to refer to the University’s English language proficiency requirements

Program structure

Required courses: (6)

PLUS select 2 courses (24 units) from the following:

TOTAL UNITS 96

The University attempts to ensure this information is accurate and up-to-date. However, the University reserves the right to discontinue or vary program/course information at any time without notice.

Enquiries

How to apply

Faculty of Science, Health and Education
Tel: +61 7 5430 2869
Email: sheinfo@usc.edu.au

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