AUSTRALIAN COLLEGE OF NURSING Postgraduate Studies 2013 Graduate Certificate courses and Distance Education subjects The College of Nursing creating nursing’s future POSTGRADUATE STUDIES 2013 Contents Foreword ___________________________________________________ 1 About this handbook _________________________________________ 2 Contacting the Australian College of Nursing _____________________ 2 Important information & about ACN_____________________________ 3 Dates & enrolment information _________________________________ 6 Eligibility criteria ______________________________________________ 7 Enrolments __________________________________________________ 8 Fees & payments _____________________________________________ 12 Guidelines for students ________________________________________ 16 Graduate Certificate courses ___________________________________ 19 Distance education subject descriptors ___________________________ 21 Corporate Sponsors Memoranda of Cooperation____________________________________ 61 Memoranda of Understanding Affiliated Professional Organisations _____________________________ 62 ACN contacts ________________________________________________ 64 www.acn.edu.au Find us on Facebook/Australian College of Nursing Disclaimer All information in this handbook is correct at the time of publishing and is subject to change without notice. © 2012 Australian College of Nursing. Published by the Australian College of Nursing ACN 154 924 642, Locked Bag 3030, Burwood NSW 1805 Australia. Authorised for publication by Debra Thoms, Chief Executive Officer, August 2012. Australian College of Nursing acknowledges the traditional owners of Australia. 1 AUSTRALIAN COLLEGE OF NURSING I am very pleased to present the 2013 Graduate Certificate course listing and Distance Education subjects, under the new banner of the Australian College of Nursing. The Australian College of Nursing (ACN) is a result of the unification of The College of Nursing and the Royal College of Nursing, Australia and will combine the existing strengths of the two former Colleges. From July 2012, the Australian College of Nursing continues to offer and grow its educational services built on the foundation of The College of Nursing’s 63 years of experience in providing postgraduate and CPD education to nurses at all stages of their careers. This handbook contains an overview of each of the nearly 70 Distance Education subjects offered by ACN. These single subjects can be undertaken alone, for students wishing to develop a more in-depth knowledge in a particular area, or in some instances, may be credited towards a full Graduate Certificate. For more details about the Graduate Certificate courses offered at ACN, including subjects, learning and graduate outcomes, and eligibility, please visit our website at www.acn.edu.au and follow the links to Education, then go to the postgraduate tab. If you are a Member of ACN, you will not only receive substantial reductions in course fees, but you will also be entitled to a range of discounts on ACN products and services as well as access to the Katie Zepps Library, the largest dedicated nursing library in the Southern Hemisphere. Our specialist library staff will provide you with electronic access to books, journals, database searches, interlibrary loans and much more. Debra Thoms FACN (DLF) Chief Executive Officer Australian College of Nursing Foreword The College of Nursing creating nursing’s future POSTGRADUATE STUDIES 2013 2 About this handbook This handbook provides information about the Graduate Certificate courses and Distance Education subjects offered by the Australian College of Nursing (ACN) in 2013. It includes subject overviews, important dates and how to apply. Additional information about these subjects and courses can be found on the website at www.nursing.edu.au/RNGC or visit www.acn.edu.au and follow the links to Education, then go to the postgraduate tab. Contacting the Australian College of Nursing Business hours: 8.30am–5.00pm, Monday to Friday Course enquiries Each Australian College of Nursing (ACN) Graduate Certificate course has a designated Course Coordinator. For further information regarding course content, selection criteria or assessment procedures, please call ACN and ask for the Coordinator for your course. Administrative enquiries Information relating to the administration of courses, application procedures, payment of fees or the progress of your application is handled by the Student Services Centre administrative staff. Contact details Street address Australian College of Nursing – Sydney office 14 Railway Parade, Burwood NSW 2134 Postal address Australian College of Nursing – Sydney office Locked Bag 3030, Burwood NSW 1805 Freecall 1800 265 534 (1800 COLLEGE) Tel (02) 9745 7500 | Fax (02) 9745 7501 Email ssc@nursing.edu.au | Website www.acn.edu.au 3 AUSTRALIAN COLLEGE OF NURSING Important information & about ACN Australian College of Nursing (ACN; including The College of Nursing) is a major provider of professional education for nurses across Australia. ACN is a Higher Education Provider and is registered and accredited by the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency for the delivery of higher education courses. Graduate certificate courses Our Graduate Certificate courses prepare nurses for a rewarding career in the health and community services sector. Designed to meet contemporary industry needs, the courses provide the knowledge, skills and attitudes directly suited to working in specialist areas of health care. We offer coursework programs that are academically challenging and professionally relevant in an environment that encourages independent learning and interaction amongst peers, and personal support from tutors and nurse educators. Graduate Certificate qualifications awarded by ACN are of an equivalent standard to a qualification at other Australian higher education institutions, including universities. ACN’s courses articulate into university courses, enabling advanced standing towards higher degrees, under the Australian Qualifications Framework. Some courses offer supported positions to NSW Ministry of Health (MOH) employees. Distance education subjects Students have the option of undertaking a single Distance Education (DE) subject from our Graduate Certificate courses. This is useful for people who wish to develop more in- depth knowledge in a particular area, or those who want to sample a Graduate Certificate subject prior to enrolling in a full Graduate Certificate course. Single DE subjects are held over one 20-week semester and most consist of a combination of self-directed learning, assessment tasks and online work books. Subjects that have been satisfactorily completed as single subjects may be credited towards up to 50 per cent of a Graduate Certificate (subject to entry requirements, satisfactory academic performance and timely enrolment in a Graduate Certificate course). POSTGRADUATE STUDIES 2013 4 Course delivery and attendance ACN offers a flexible learning environment, with modes of delivery including DE online, face-to-face and professional experience placements. ACN’s online learning platform is CNnect and can be accessed through the website via the Student login button or directly at http://cnnect.nursing.edu.au/. Students should confirm with ACN, the dates and times for any face-to-face workshop sessions and professional experience placements, prior to making any leave or travel arrangements. Student resources ACN requires its students to have a current email address, and access to a computer and the internet, and provides a range of computer and internet access options, including a computer lab, informal learning spaces and meeting rooms. As an ACN student, you also have access to the Library. ACN subject and course information books are an essential guide for students. They provide information and guidelines on studying with ACN and include assessments, policies and procedures, administrative forms and guidelines for learning. On CNnect, you will find the Student Management Policy, course and subject information, resources, discussion forums, links to websites, and study and assessment timetables relevant to your course. CNnect IT support ACN provides CNnect IT Support for students (during business hours) to assist them to access and utilise CNnect. Please email cnnect@nursing.edu.au or call 1800 COLLEGE (1800 26 55 343) and ask for CNnect IT support. Study skills workshops Students are encouraged to attend the writing and literature study skills workshops, conducted during February and July each year. The half-day workshops include valuable information on academic writing, referencing and assessments. Further details are available on the website, or by contacting the Student Services Centre at ssc@nursing.edu.au. Scholarships Scholarships are available from a number of sources, including the Australian Government. For more information, email scholarships@rcna.org.au. Website The website provides valuable, up-to-date information on all ACN’s educational offerings, student information and enrolment forms, membership, library services and contact 5 AUSTRALIAN COLLEGE OF NURSING information. Specifically, you will find all postgraduate courses and their corresponding DE subjects, continuing professional development (CPD) short courses, RTO courses, ACN’s educational philosophy and graduate outcomes, and the Student Management and Refund Policies. ACN membership The Australian College of Nursing is run by nurses for nurses, giving you the opportunity to have your say in nursing’s future. ACN Members play a leading role in the direction of nursing policy and the provision of quality healthcare. ACN membership delivers great value for money. Benefits include ACN publications and regular weekly emails, national professional activities, annual nursing events, discounts on continuing education courses, access to exclusive scholarships, advocacy and policy discussion opportunities on the issues that affect the nursing profession, and state-of-the-art library services. A complimentary one-year period of membership is available to ACN students who undertake any course in this handbook that has a minimum of 35 CPD hours and who have never been a member before (including member of The College of Nursing and Royal College of Nursing, Australia). Full ACN membership costs $295 annually, including GST. Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Program ACN offers an extensive range of short courses that attract CPD hours. The CPD calendar and handbook are published twice a year in January and June, and are available on the website. To request emails updating you on upcoming CPD courses, contact ssc@nursing.edu.au. Registered Training Organisation (RTO) courses & Assessment of Competance Other courses offered by ACN include nationally-accredited training courses for enrolled nurses, such as the Diploma of Nursing and Certificate IV in Training and Assessment. For internationally-qualified nurses wishing to practice in Australia, and previously registered nurses who meet the relevant Nursing & Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) requirements, ACN offers an eight-week Assessment of Competence (AOC) program. Further information on these courses can be found in the RTO Courses 2013 handbook, which is available on the website or by contacting ssc@nursing.edu.au. POSTGRADUATE STUDIES 2013 6 Dates & enrolment information Important Semester Dates 2013 ACN is required to set a Census Date for each course it offers. The Census Date is: UÊ ÌiÊ`>ÌiÊÃÌÕ`iÌÃÊLiViÊv>V>ÞÊ>LiÊvÀÊ>ÞÊÃÕLiVÌÃÊÊÜVÊÌiÞÊ>ÀiÊiÀi` UÊ ÌiÊv>Ê`>ÞÊÃÌÕ`iÌÃÊV>ÊÜÌ`À>ÜÊvÀÊ>ÊÃÕLiVÌÊÜÌÕÌÊv>V>Ê>LÌÞÊÕÃÊ>Ê administrative fee) and academic penalty UÊ ÌiÊv>Ê`>ÞÊ ÊÃÊ>Üi`ÊÌÊ>VVi«ÌÊÕ«vÀÌÊ«>ÞiÌÃÊvÀÊviiÊ«>Þ}ÊÃÌÕ`iÌð For more detailed information on semester dates see the appropriate Graduate Certificate course page on the website at www.nursing.edu.au/RNGC. 11 Feb – 28 Jun 2013 February – Semester 1 12 Oct 2012 Closing Date for 2013 Semester 1 enrolments* for NSW MOH-supported applicants 4 Jan 2013 Closing Date for 2013 Semester 1 enrolments for all other Graduate Certificate courses 11 Feb 2013 February 2013 Semester 1 commences 25 Feb 2013 Census Date – Semester 1 28 Jun 2013 February semester ends 22 Jul 2013 February semester grade release day 15 Jul – 29 Nov 2013 July – Semester 2 15 Mar 2013 Closing Date for 2013 Semester 2 enrolments* for NSW MOH-supported applicants 7 Jun 2013 Closing Date for 2013 Semester 2 enrolments for all other Graduate Certificate courses 15 Jul 2013 July 2013 Semester 2 commences 29 Jul 2013 Census Date – Semester 2 29 Nov 2013 July semester ends 23 Dec 2013 July semester grade release day 14 Oct 2013 Closing Date for 2014 Semester 1 enrolments* for NSW MOH-supported applicants 6 Jan 2013 Closing Date for 2014 Semester 1 enrolments for all other Graduate Certificate courses 10 Feb 2014 February 2014 Semester 1 commences *Late enrolments will be considered where places are available. 7 AUSTRALIAN COLLEGE OF NURSING Eligibility criteria Admission to Graduate Certificate courses is based on academic merit and selection. In addition, applicants must satisfy any prerequisites or additional requirements specified for particular courses, including ACN’s general eligibility criteria, below. Applicants who do not meet the requirements may also be admitted (subject to specific conditions) at the discretion of ACN. General eligibility criteria All applicants seeking admission to Graduate Certificate courses and Distance Education subjects are required to: 1. Hold a Bachelor of Nursing or registered nurse equivalent qualification. 2. Be currently registered with the Nursing & Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA). 3. Have a minimum of one year postgraduate experience. 4. Be currently employed in an appropriate clinical setting. International applicants Applicants residing outside of Australia must hold current registration in the country in which they practice throughout their enrolment in ACN courses. Enrolment in, or successful completion of, a course at ACN does not entitle students to practice nursing in Australia. Students wishing to practice nursing in Australia must seek registration and/or assessment for eligibility to register through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Professional experience placement (clinical placement) requirements Clinical placements are a significant and sometimes mandatory component of a number of courses at ACN. For these courses, all students will be required to obtain the following, prior to placements commencing: UÊ 1`iÀÌ>iÊ>Ê >Ì>ÊÀ>Ê,iVÀ`ÊiVÊ,®° UÊ -ÜÊ«ÀvÊvÊÛ>VV>ÌÊ>`ÊÕÃ>ÌÃÊÀiiÛ>ÌÊÌÊÌiÊ-Ì>ÌiÊÀÊ/iÀÀÌÀÞÊÜiÀiÊÌiÊ clinical placement is being undertaken. UÊ ->ÌÃvÞÊ>`ÊV«ÞÊÜÌÊ>ÞÊÌiÀÊÀiµÕÀiiÌÃÊ-ÌÕ`iÌÊiV>À>ÌÃ]Ê`iÊvÊ`ÕVÌ]Ê etc.) needed by the individual health facilities and relevant to the State or Territory Government’s facilities where the professional experience placement is being undertaken. All clinical placements must be arranged by ACN. The student is responsible for any fees and costs associated with meeting the mandatory requirements outlined above. Students who require more information on this should contact clinicalplacement@nursing.edu.au POSTGRADUATE STUDIES 2013 8 Enrolments Graduate Certificate courses Enrolments for Graduate Certificate courses and Distance Education subjects are made through the Student Services Centre. Application forms can be obtained online at www.nursing.edu.au/enrolmentforms. How to apply 1 Seek course advice If you would like advice on which course you should attend or whether you meet the selection criteria for a particular course, please refer to the course descriptions on the website at www. nursing.edu.au/RNGC or contact the Course Coordinator or Student Services Centre at ACN on freecall 1800 COLLEGE (1800 26 55 343) or 02 9745 7500. 2 Submit an application form Available on the website at www.nursing.edu.au/enrolmentforms. Forward the completed form to ACN before the Closing Date (where vacancies exist, late enrolments may also be considered). See page 6 for important dates. 3 Await Confirmation of Enrolment letter Following the Closing Date for a course, the Course Coordinator and the Course Selection Committee will review enrolments. Successful applicants will be sent a Confirmation of Enrolment letter detailing any outstanding payment, dates, venue and course requirements. 4 Accept your position Your position must be accepted in writing. Students are required to return the signed and completed Acceptance of Position form to confirm their place (sent with Confirmation of Enrolment letter). -ÌÕ`iÌÃÊÜÃ}ÊÌÊÜÌ`À>ÜÊÀÊ`iviÀÊ>vÌiÀÊÃÕLÌÌ}Ê>Ê>VVi«Ì>ViÊvÊ«ÃÌÊ1-/ÊÌvÞÊ Ê in writing. [...]... what a complaint or grievance is and contains information about how to make a complaint or appeal and the process associated with appeals AUSTRALIAN COLLEGE OF NURSING 17 Graduate Certificate courses 18 POSTGRADUATE STUDIES 2013 Graduate Certificate courses All Graduate Certificate course information and subject descriptors can be found on the website at www.nursing.edu.au/RNGC Acute Care Nursing Medical... demonstrate an understanding of evidence-based practice and basic research principles 16 POSTGRADUATE STUDIES 2013 Course completion Students must obtain all required units for their course and pay any outstanding debts to be eligible to complete their course Students who have completed prior studies should ensure that subjects for RPL or advanced standing have been credited accordingly and reflected on... NURSING 19 Distance education subject descriptors 20 POSTGRADUATE STUDIES 2013 Distance education subject descriptors Addiction nursing _23 (formerly Issues in drug and alcohol addiction) Anaesthetic nursing _23 Applied neonatal physiology 24 Assessing and managing adult pain 24 Assessment of growth and development... nursing: Principles and practice 56 Stress response and health breakdown 56 (formerly Applied clinical physiology) Symptom management in advanced disease states 57 Wound management 57 Possible distance education subjects for 2013 _ 58 22 POSTGRADUATE STUDIES 2013 Addiction nursing (formerly Issues in drug and alcohol addiction)... diagnostic and interventional cardiology, surgical management of heart disease and secondary prevention strategies This subject has a compulsory online component Prescribed texts: Nil 28 POSTGRADUATE STUDIES 2013 Chemotherapy and other systemic treatments in cancer care 217 AVAILABLE AS GC Cancer Nursing/GC Paediatric Nursing Studies/ CPD Distance Education OFFERED See course descriptor online Feb intake and. .. assessing, identifying and pre-empting consequences of treatments, such as neutropaenia, sepsis and graft versus host disease This subject is suitable for nurses working in adult and paediatric specialist haematology and blood and marrow transplant centres, and nurses caring for patients who have undergone haemopoeitic transplantation Prescribed texts: Nil 26 POSTGRADUATE STUDIES 2013 Breast cancer nursing:... Member, go to www.acn.edu.au and follow links to Membership $175.00 $1,200.00 $1,375.00 Single subjects – non-member, go to www.acn.edu.au and follow links to Membership $175.00 $1,575.00 $1,750.00 12 POSTGRADUATE STUDIES 2013 How to pay Payment details can be submitted on a Course Application Form via Visa and MasterCard or by sending a cheque or money order Payments such as EFTPOS and BPAY can be made in... The Graduate Certificate courses are professional development programs for nurses currently employed in the health care sector They are designed to be undertaken parttime The following information will assist students in the process of deciding which course to undertake and which subjects are required to successfully complete each Graduate Certificate These guidelines apply to all of the Graduate Certificate. .. apply to all of the Graduate Certificate courses offered by ACN and should be read in conjunction with the general information found in the earlier sections of this handbook on Course Delivery and Attendance, How to Apply and Fees and Payments Structure of courses In order to graduate, students must successfully complete all the requirements for the course The courses are usually structured around a... ‘principles’ approach is used to explore the concepts of acute, chronic and cancer pain Pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies are addressed There is a compulsory online component for this subject Prescribed texts: Nil 24 POSTGRADUATE STUDIES 2013 Assessment of growth and development 255 AVAILABLE AS GC Neonatal Nursing/CPD Distance Education OFFERED See course descriptor online July intake only . clinicalplacement@nursing.edu.au POSTGRADUATE STUDIES 2013 8 Enrolments Graduate Certificate courses Enrolments for Graduate Certificate courses and Distance Education subjects. future POSTGRADUATE STUDIES 2013 2 About this handbook This handbook provides information about the Graduate Certificate courses and Distance Education subjects