ObjectivesIn this course you will complete one of the following specialist streams: Anaesthesia and recovery nursing This stream focuses on all areas of anaesthesia and recovery nursing practice. You’ll study topics in assessment, induction and ongoing management of the anaesthetised patient, post procedure stabilisation and recovery of the surgical patient. Critical care nursing In this stream you’ll study topics in intensive care, paediatric intensive care, coronary care and high dependency nursing. Emergency nursing This stream focuses on all areas of emergency practice including triage, assessment, advanced patient monitoring, resuscitation and initial trauma management. Medical and surgical nursing In this stream you will study medical and surgical nursing practice from an acute care perspective and in a chronic disease management model. You will also explore the growing complexity of the acute hospitalised patient with multiple co-morbidities impacting care requirements. Orthopaedic and trauma nursing This stream focuses on all areas of orthopaedic and trauma practice. You will study topics in initial and ongoing trauma management, spinal injuries and elective orthopaedic surgery. All streams include an individual clinical or research project in y our final year under the guidance of one of our experienced staff.
Entry requirementsA Bachelor of Science (Nursing) or equivalent and registration as a comprehensive or general nurse in Division One with the Nurses and Midwives Board of Western Australia. You should also have at least 12 months’ experience in a specialist area of practice. General and comprehensive nurses registered in Division One with the Nurses and Midwives Board without an undergraduate degree will be considered.
Academic titleMaster of Clinical Nursing
Course descriptionMaster of Clinical Nursing
MClinNurs(Curtin)
Course CRICOS Code: 029833J
Registered full-time Duration for International Onshore Students on student visas: 1.5 Years
Introduction
This course, with specialist streams in Critical Care, Emergency, Orthopaedic and Trauma, Anaesthesia and Recovery, Medical and Surgical, Perioperative and Neonatal Nursing is designed to provide the theoretical foundations of nursing science, togetherwith the clinical knowledge and skills associated with the major stream of the course. A significant component of the course is conducted in a health care institution. It focuses on the development of clinical leadership, promotion and integration of evidence-based nursing practice in each of the majors to foster the development of graduates consistent with the profile of the nurse specialist, offering the advanced-level nurse further clinical skills and an opportunity to extend career options. It also provides the foundation for professional doctoral studies.
Course Entry Requirements/Prerequisites
An undergraduate nursing degree or equivalent hospital-based diploma. Twelve months' post-graduate experience in specialist area of practice. Must be concurrently employed in an approved area between 18 and 24 hours per week.
Specific Requirements
Applicants for this course should refer to the Communicable Diseases and Criminal Record Screening and Clearance Section of this publication.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of prior learning is assessed on individual application. Consideration will be given to appropriate clinical experiences, short courses, formal university programs or other forms of continuing education. Processes will be consistent with university guidelines for recognising prior learning. Recognition of prior learning arrangements will be considered from providers where consistent student enrolment applications are received with evidence of completion of industry-based programs.
Duration and Availablity
This fee-paying course is three semesters' full-time or equivalent part-time study. Most units are available externally. International onshore students on student visas are not permitted to take units externally.
Intermediate Awards 1
A student who has successfully completed the requirements of an approved intermediate award may apply for graduation in that award subject to approval of Head of School/Department. Fees apply. Intermediate award(s) approved for this course are:
Intermediate Awards II
Graduate Certificate in Clinical Nursing; Posgraduate Diploma in Clinical Nursing.
Course Organisation
It is recommended students undertake two units of study per semester, in internal or external (online) study modes. This is done to accommodate the employment requirements in the relevant speciality area necessary to achieve specialist clinical competence. Exit points have been provided at Graduate Certificate level (four units), Graduate Diploma level (eight units) and Master level (10 units). As this course focuses on clinical specialisation, the student is expected to continue to work in and focus assignments around their chosen clinical speciality.
Career Opportunities
Acute care nursing features numerous areas of specialisation. By completing a postgraduate course in a specialist area students may be better placed to achieve promotional positions in the clinical field such as Clinical Nurse and Clinical Nurse Specialist.
Additional Course Expenses
Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks, readers and other essential study materials.
Course Structure Disclaimer Curtin University reserves the right to alter the internal composition of any course to ensure learning outcomes retain maximum relevance. Any changes to the internal composition of a course will protect the right of students to complete the course within the normal timeframe and will not result in additional cost to students through a requirement to undertake additional units.
Course Structure Hrs/Wk Credit
Year 1
311226 v.1 Critical Care Nursing Stream (Master of Clinical Nursing) 300.0
OR
311227 v.1 Emergency Nursing Stream (Master of Clinical Nursing) 300.0
OR
311228 v.1 Orthopaedic and Trauma Nursing Stream
(Master of Clinical Nursing) 300.0
OR
311229 v.1 Anaesthesia and Recovery Nursing Stream
(Master of Clinical Nursing) 300.0
OR
311230 v.1 Medical and Surgical Nursing Stream
(Master of Clinical Nursing) 300.0
OR
311502 v.1 Perioperative Nursing Stream (Master of Clinical Nursing) 300.0
OR
311503 v.1 * Neonatal Nursing Stream (Master of Clinical Nursing) 300.0 300.0
* 311503 Neonatal Nursing Stream will not be available until 2010
Availability
Year Location Period All* Internal
2009 Bentley Campus Semester 1 Y
2009 Bentley Campus Semester 2 Y
The information displayed above refers to study periods and locations where the course is available for first time entry. Students are normally only offered or admitted to a course once.
*The course itself may not be available either solely internally or externally but individual units may be offered in either or both of those modes. Prospective students should contact the Course Coordinator for further information.
^Course and associated units are offered in this mode permitting International Onshore student enrolment.
#Course and associated units are offered in this online only mode and DO NOT permit International Onshore student enrolment.