Specialist Certificate in Nursing Practice

The Specialist Certificate in Nursing Practice is a 25 credit point clinical coursework program designed to advanced nurses’ knowledge and skills for professional practice in a range of clinical settings including:

acute and subacute settings.

The course is nationally and international relevant, providing students with a sound understanding of the scientific knowledge and evidence that underpins knowledge and skill development in nursing practice.

Students will develop the ability to apply knowledge to understand the practice of providing nursing care to individuals experiencing acute alterations in their health status.The Specialist Certificate in Nursing Practice is a nested course in the Graduate Certificate in Nursing Practice and is to Registered Nurses part-time over two consecutive terms.

The course’s graduate attributes are aligned with those of The Melbourne Graduate.The Specialist Certificate in Nursing Practice provides students with advanced knowledge, preparing them for advanced nursing practice and providing a pathway for further learning including the Graduate Certificate in Nursing Practice and the Masters of Advanced Nursing Practice.

Students undertaking the Specialist Certificate in Nursing Practice complete two 12.5 credit-point core subjects, including Applied Pathophysiology and Nursing Specialty 1.The course delivers theoretical content through fully online study.

Students begin the course by enrolling in Applied Pathophysiology, which is the pre-requisite subject to Nursing Specialty 1.

Course structure

To qualify for the Specialist Certificate in Nursing Practice, students must successfully complete two core compulsory subjects (25 credit points). Students are required to successfully complete Applied Pathophysiology, the pre-requisite subject to Nursing Specialty 1.

Applied Pathophysiology can be undertaken as a 'stand-alone' subject for continuing professional development.

Last updated: 16 March 2020

Entry requirements

1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed:

• A three-year undergraduate degree in the discipline of nursing, or equivalent; and
• At least one (1) year documented evidence of clinical experience as a Registered Nurse working in an acute, sub-acute or community health care service within the preceding five years from the time of application

Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.

2. In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:

• prior academic performance; and
• the work experience.

3. The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Academic Board rules on the use of selection instruments

4. Applicants are required to satisfy the university’s English language requirements for graduate courses. For those applicants seeking to meet these requirements by one of the standard tests approved by the Academic Board, performance band 6.5 is required.

Notes:

1. a) Graduates of the Specialist Certificate in Nursing Practice who meet the entry requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Nursing Practice will be eligible to apply for 25 credit points of advanced standing for the Graduate Certificate in Nursing Practice.

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.The University is dedicated to providing support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website. http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Intended learning outcomes

On successful completion of the Specialist Certificate in Nursing Practice, graduates will have:

• Specialised theoretical and technical knowledge, including demonstrating the ability to acquire and apply new knowledge in nursing practice;
• Cognitive skills to review, analyse, consolidate and synthesise new and existing knowledge and identify and provide solutions to complex problems;
• Cognitive skills to think critically and to generate and evaluate complex ideas;
• Specialised technical and evidence-based knowledge to inform nursing practice;
• A high level of verbal and written communication skills to demonstrate an understanding of theoretical concepts;
• The cognitive skills to understand and critically appraise evidence-based research to inform nursing practice;