Graduate Diploma in Nursing

Description

The Graduate Diploma in Nursing (Specialty Area)* is designed to prepare registered general nurses to work in a diversity of fields by developing previously acquired knowledge and skills, through the extension of their professional expertise.The program consists of 36 units of study offered over 1 year full-time or part-time equivalent. Students will undertake 18 units of negotiated studies, 13.5 units of core courses, comprising Collaborative Approaches to Health (9 units) plus Applying Research to Nursing and Midwifery Practice (4.5 units), and a 4.5 unit course from the Options available.

The courses in the specialty areas integrate knowledge related to the biosciences, social and behavioural sciences, technology, health policy and advanced clinical decision-making with innovation and scholarly practice.
Core courses allow students to identify policy issues in their area of practice and explore health team collaboration in their field of study. In addition, emphasis is placed on understanding research methods and relating these methods to the development of both practice and processes within the health care sector. Students will have the benefit of integrating research findings into their practice.
Option courses provide students with the skills to be lifelong learners and to be able to extend their competence and knowledge through critical analysis and reflection.

Requirements

Normally, applicants are required to: hold a Bachelor degree in Nursing or equivalent from a recognised higher education institution, or have completed hospital based training as a Registered Nurse;
OR have successfully completed the nested Graduate Certificate in Nursing (ICNG) offered by the University of South Australia or an equivalent qualification at another Australian university;
AND (all applicants) hold a Current Practising Certificate or, for international applicants, be eligible to be licensed to practice as a registered nurse in their own country or place of residence;
AND (all applicants) have completed a minimum of one-year of clinical experience as a Registered Nurse;
AND for study in the Cardiovascular Nursing, Critical Care, Immunisation and Nurse Education specialisations, provide evidence of current employment in, or access to, the specialisation areas.
English language entry requirements
In addition, International students who speak English as a foreign language must satisfy the following: International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic): Overall score of 6.5, with a minimum of 6 in each sub-band, obtained within the last two years or corresponding results from an equivalent test such as TOEFL or the appropriate Academic English language level delivered at CELUSA;
OR Successful completion of a tertiary qualification at diploma level or above completed in Australia within the last two years;
OR Successful completion of at least two years of tertiary study at diploma level or above conducted and completed in English within the last five years in a country in which English is an official language as determined by the University.
Where the study in English was more than five years ago, this requirement may be satisfied by subsequent and recent work experience of at least two years duration in a setting where English is the language of business subject to satisfactory evidence as determined by the University.

Notes

Further information can be obtained from:
School of Nursing and Midwifery
Telephone +61 8 8302 1832
Facsimile +61 8 8302 1806
Email: NursingPostgraduatePrograms.enquiries@unisa.edu.au

International students should contact:
International Prospective Students Office University of South Australia GPO Box 2471 ADELAIDE SA 5001 Telephone +61 3 9627 4854 Email: international.office@unisa.edu.au Web: www.unisa.edu.au/internat

For more information on the program and its courses, including access to course descriptions please visit the program home page http://www.unisanet.unisa.edu.au/programs/program.asp?Program=IGNG.

The School of Nursing and Midwifery Postgraduate Programs website is located at: http://www.unisa.edu.au/nur/programs/postgrad.asp/.