RMIT University

Structure

The Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing is for registered nurses who have experience in mental health and want to seek promotional pathways through specialisation. You will be a registered nurse with at least 840 hours (approximately six months) experience working in mental health clinical practice, or currently completing a graduate year in mental health nursing. This graduate diploma will give you an understanding of applying diagnostic and therapeutic techniques in your clinical practice, as well the broader professional and social context of mental health nursing. You will also develop research skills and the ability to be reflective of your practice. You will choose an area of specialisation with an elective subject. A work-integrated learning subject will further develop your skills caring for clients in a variety of clinical settings with interaction and feedback from industry. In this diploma, you will complete seven core subjects and one elective subject.

Subjects

• NURS1042 Foundations of Mental Health Nursing Partnerships
• NURS1066 Context of Mental Health Nursing
• NURS2118 Therapeutic Initiatives in Mental Health
• NURS2119 Dual Diagnosis and Community Work
• NURS1049 Mental Health Nursing Clinical Portfolio
• NURS1087 Assessment Analysis In Mental Health Nursing
• PUBH1080 Health Inquiry Critique
• HWSS2195 Narrative Approaches for Career Counselling
• BUSM1530 Leadership and Management
• HWSS2162 Trauma Informed Practice
• NURS1057 Quality Improvement for Health Care Professionals
• BESC1431 Forensic Psychology
• NURS2184 Complex Parent-Infant Mental Health
• NURS1051 Clinical Learning and Teaching

Entry requirements

• A Bachelor of Nursing degree, or equivalent, or a bachelor degree in psychiatric/mental health nursing from an approved higher education institution. (In the case of nurses with senior experience in mental health a Diploma may be considered equivalent.) Current registration or be eligible for registration as a Registered Nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia 840 hours of supervised clinical practice already completed in the field of mental health nursing
• or currently completing this as part of a graduate year program in mental health nursing or supervised practice during the candidature

Recognition

Mental health nurses are eligible to join a professional organisation such as the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses and are able to cite this qualification as part of their application for credentialing.

Study Pathways

An Australian bachelor degree in Nursing, or equivalent OR an Australian bachelor degree in Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing, or equivalent. AND Current registration or be eligible for registration as a Registered Nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. AND 840 hours of supervised clinical practice already completed in the field of mental health nursing OR you are completing this as part of a graduate year program in mental health nursing or supervised practice during the candidature.