Graduate Diploma of Mental Health Nursing

Western Sydney University

Type of institution: University/Higher Education Institution
Level: Postgraduate
CRICOS: 00917K

The aim of this online program is to produce a graduate who can practise mental health nursing skilfully and within ethical and legal boundaries, and who can think abstractly and critically. The course encourages critical examination of issues such as mental health nursing knowledge, the evidence-based perspective of practice, the measurement of outcomes and the consumer movement. Research training and the study of the relationship between research, knowledge and practice is a key component of the course. Issues include learning how to use the self therapeutically, relationships with clients, understanding the experience of people who have mental illnesses, disorders and crises.

Designed for

Nurses

Structure

80 credit points

Subjects

  • Mental health nursing practice
  • mental health assessment and application
  • contemporary professional practice in mental health nursing
  • evidence based health care
  • clinical supervision in health care
  • biological considerations in mental health and mental illness for advanced practice.

Standard entry requirements

  • Bachelor degree, Midwifery or Health Science (nursing)
  • Current registration as nurse or midwife with AHPRA
  • Or post-registration certificate and 5 years' full-time equivalent clinical experience (within the last 10 years)

Recognition

While the NSW Nurses Registration Board and the NSW Nurses Association encourage nurses to pursue appropriate postgraduate educational opportunities, certification of this award is not required by these bodies.

Study pathways

Students may exit with a Graduate Certificate in Nursing (Mental Health) following completion of 4 units (40 credit points).

Study information

CampusFeesEntryMid year intakeAttendance
WSU Online No
  • Part-time : 2 years
  • Online/Off-campus : 1 year

Further information

Collaborative relationships and partnerships between nurses, multidisciplinary colleagues and stakeholders in the mental health care service are endorsed as a key value within the course. Students are challenged to conceptualise and articulate definitions of the unique role of mental health nursing, to ask difficult questions and to seek their answers.

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