Postgraduate Certificate of Nursing

Information valid for students commencing in 2013.

Course Code

100511

Version

1

Faculty

Medicine, Health and Molecular Sciences

Award Requirements

Admission Requirements

Course pre-requisites

Completion of a nursing degree or equivalent qualification, and eligibility for nurse registration in Australia.

Minimum English Language Proficiency Requirements

Students of non-English speaking backgrounds must have an adequate English language capacity assessed under the Australian International English Language Testing System (IELTS). The IELTS score required for admission to this course can be found in Schedule II of the JCU Admissions policy.

Additional selection requirements

It is recommended that applicants have completed a minimum of one year of full-time clinical experience (or part-time equivalent) as a registered nurse.

Special admission requirements

For flexible delivery option, computer and internet access is required.

Closing date

June 1 or January 1 of each year. Students can commence in TP1 or TP2.

Academic Requirements for Course Completion

Credit points

12 credit points

Additional course rules

Nil

Additional completion requirements

Nil

Learning outcomes

Graduates of the Postgraduate Certificate of Nursing will:

  • Be able to collaborate effectively with other members of the health care team using clear and respectful communication skills within a diverse workforce, including the ability to use clinical leadership skills to direct and lead a team of others.

  • Be able to use well-developed judgement, adaptability and responsibility in the complex care of clients, including an awareness of the influence of policy and budgetary considerations.

  • Be able to have advanced knowledge and skills, including those generated by being a discerning consumer of research, to work safely and effectively in a health care institution or the community, often in a specialised role.

  • Be able to utilise the practice and processes of reflection for both self-improvement and improvement in the quality of client care delivered in their specific clinical area.

  • Be able to analyse and apply advanced knowledge and sound judgement to specific complex problems within the health care system, taking into consideration the professional, legal and ethical responsibilities of nursing practice.

  • Demonstrate and integrate principles of cultural safety and an understanding of regulation and health policy issues as they relate to the diverse geographic, professional and clinical specialty contexts.

  • Be able to deploy relevant technologies, including information literacy and clinical technologies, in the provision of complex patient care and in the maintenance of effective communication in the workplace.

  • Be able to safely and competently perform complex technical and/or clinical nursing skills in the delivery of appropriate client care across a broad range of clinical contexts.

  • Be able to act as a role model and mentor to other less experienced clinicians and to student practitioners.

Course Structure

Options

Select 12 credit points of level 5 NS subjects or Select a Major from the following list:

Majors

Type of major

Optional Single

Credit points in major

12 credit points

Special requirements

Nil

MAJOR

AVAILABLE AT

NOTES

Advanced Clinical Practice

Townsville

 

Care of the Older Adult

Townsville

 

Clinical Education

Townsville

 

Critical Care

Townsville

 

Leadership and Management

Townsville

 

Neonatal Care

Townsville

 

Perioperative Care

Townsville

 

Renal Care

Townsville

 

Rural and Remote

Townsville

 

Specialist Paediatric Care

Townsville

 

Campus

COURSE AVAILABLE AT

NOTES

Townsville

 

Candidature

Expected time to complete

1 year part-time

Maximum time to complete

3 years

Maximum leave of absence

1 year

Progression

Course progression requisites

Nil

Course includes mandatory professional placement(s)

No

Special assessment requirements

Nil

Accreditation requirements

Students must be Registered Nurses

Maximum allowed Pass Conceded (PC) grade

Nil

Supplementary exam for final subject

Not applicable

Advanced Standing

Eligibility

Candidates may apply for advanced standing for previous tertiary study in accordance with the Advanced Standing for Previous Studies and Recognised Prior Learning policy associated procedures.

Maximum allowed

6 credit points

Currency

Advanced standing will be granted only for studies completed in the 10 years prior to the commencement of this course.

Expiry

Advanced standing gained for any subject shall be cancelled 13 years after the date of the examination upon which the advanced standing is based if, by then, the candidate has not completed the course of study prescribed for the degree.

Other restrictions

Not applicable

Award Details

Inclusion of majors on testamur

Majors will appear on the testamur

Exit with lesser award

Not applicable

Course articulation

Candidates who complete this course are eligible for entry to the Postgraduate Diploma of Nursing, or Master of Nursing, and may be granted advanced standing for subjects completed under this course.