Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing

Description

The Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing (PDN) provides you with the opportunity to extend your understanding of the relationship between the theory and practice of nursing in a specific area of specialty nursing.

You will develop a depth and complexity of knowledge that enhances your specialty nursing practice in a variety of contexts and nursing roles. There is an emphasis on academic preparation for leadership in specialty nursing, specialty nursing education and patient education.

This course does not include clinical components.

As a graduate of the PDN you will have

•proficiency in areas of professional scholarship
•an understanding of the professional issues impacting upon specialty nursing and the wider nursing profession
•a beginning understanding of the international context and sensitivities of the specialty area
•a capacity to engage where appropriate with issues in contemporary society that impact on and are impacted by specialty nursing practice
•an appreciation of the ways in which evidence based practice guides specialty practice, and how specialty knowledge equips you to offer leadership in the specialty area
•an appreciation of the design, conduct and reporting of research as it relates to the development of evidence based practice
•a capacity to transfer knowledge and understanding of specialty nursing in oral and written presentations to a wide range of professional and non-professional audiences
•the ability to communicate an understanding of the theoretical basis for practice both verbally and in a written form

Requirements

Admission requirements for all specialty and advanced practice courses:

•a Bachelor of Nursing (or equivalent training)
•at least one year of clinical experience as a registered Division 1, 3 or 4 nurse within the five years prior to applying for the course
•current unrestricted registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (formerly the Nurses Board of Victoria) in Division 1, 3 or 4 of the Register (courses with clinical components only)
•current employment and clinical support in your specialty area (courses with clinical components only)
•meet the University of Melbourne's English language requirements
If you are applying for the Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing Practice or Postgraduate Certificate in Nursing Practice or a clinical specialisation in the Master of Advanced Nursing Practice, you must provide evidence of current clinical employment and support by submitting a completed Confirmation of Clinical Employment and Support Form with your application.


English language requirements
All applicants must meet the University's English language requirements. If English is not your first language, there are a number of ways of demonstrating that you have met this requirement. Details are available on the University of Melbourne Future Students website.

Please note that while the University requires an IELTS score of 6.5 (with no band less than 6.0), the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia requires a score of 7.0 (with no band less than 7.0) to register for unrestricted practice as a Registered Nurse.

Notes

The PDN is comprised of 100 credit points of coursework subjects. You will complete a mandated evidence-based subject and a range of theory coursework subjects contributing to either a generic or specialisation award.

Course structures for the specialty areas are outlined below. If you enrol in a specialty diploma you may take up to 37.5 credit points of approved subjects offered in other disciplines. If you enrol in the generic program you may take up to 25 credit points of approved subjects offered in other disciplines. Please see the list of possible electives.