ObjectivesThis program is designed to meet the growing needs of registered nurses and other health care professionals, who wish to develop their knowledge and expertise in specialty areas of practice. The program uses a partnership model of graduate clinical education where the theoretical aspects offered through the University are integrated and assessed in the context of clinical practice. The program is designed to enable clinicians to: * apply analytical and creative approaches to advanced practice; * integrate epistemological, philosophical and advanced principles of health and human science to enhance practice; * actively integrate evidence-based approaches within practice; and * promote the professional through practice, participation in professional activities and the development of peers.
Entry requirementsRegistered Nurses and other health care professionals who hold a bachelors degree or equivalent and who are are able to demonstrate that they are working in a speciality health care area and have completed either CQUniversity Disciplinary Studies Speciality or a QH Transition program that has been approved by CQUniversity or their equivalent. Please note: a university qualification is not required for entry into this program.
Academic titleMaster of Clinical Practice (Specialisation)
Course description
About Clinical Practice
Professional nursing practice is no longer only a matter of keeping up-to-date with changes in practices. Health care professionals including nurses are at the forefront of change in practice, utilising new techniques and knowledge and acting as leaders in change processes in the workplace. For some practitioners, this means developing knowledge through research. However, the greater proportion of today's busy clinicians have not the time or resources to undertake research but they are keen to learn new ways of utilising new knowledge to benefit their clients and the profession.
This program of study is designed to assist today's busy practitioners by developing the knowledge and skills in proactive practice while they gain a relevant postgraduate award. At the master level, all study is undertaken in negotiation with academics and specialists in the selected areas of practice in order that learning experiences are relevant and meaningful to the participant, the profession and to advance client care.
Career Opportunities
Participants will be practicing in an area of specialisation during their studies. Through the completion of clinically-relevant studies and activities, participants will prepare themselves theoretically and professionally for higher duties within the career structure or as clinical educators or managers.
Specialisation can be selected from:
* Acute Cardiac Nursing;
* Perioperative Nursing;
* Wound Management;
* Gerontological Nursing;
* Paediatric Nursing;
* Catheter Laboratory Nursing;
* General Practice Nursing;
* Child and Adolescent Health;
* Rehabilitation
* Mental Health
* Renal Nursing
* Diabetics study
Information about Credit Transfers:
For Information about the 16 credit points "Exemption" required to enter the Master of Clinical Practice (Specialisation) contact the Program Advisor.
The Master of Clinical Practice (Specialisation) has two exit points and one completion point as outlined below.
1. Graduate Certificate in Clinical Practice (Specialisation) (24 units of credit)
CQUniversity Discipline Studies or its equivalent 16 units of credit
(See below for entry requirement details)
NURS21153 Communication Skills for Advanced Professional Practice 8 units of credit
2. Graduate Diploma of Clinical Practice (Specialisation) (48 units of credit)
CQUniversity Discipline Studies or its equivalent 16 units of credit
NURS21153 Communication Skills for Advanced Professional Practice 8 units of credit
NURS21152 Evidence Based Practice 8 units of credit
NURS20129 Education in Non-Formal Settings 8 units of credit
Elective
3. Master of Clinical Practice (Specialisation) CF79 (72 units of credit)
CQUniversity Discipline Studies or its equivalent 16 units of credit
NURS21153 Communication Skills for Advanced Professional Practice 8 units of credit
NURS21152 Evidence Based Practice 8 units of credit
NURS20129 Education in Non-Formal Settings 8 units of credit
Elective 8 units of credit
NURS21154 Clinical Project 1 8 units of credit
NURS21155 Clinical Project 2 8 units of credit
NURS21156 Clinical Project 3 8 units of credit
Entry requirements
Students must have completed one of the following qualifications prior to applying for a place in the Masters Program.
* Discipline Studies through the Department of Nursing and Health Studies (CQUniversity). For information about CQUniversity Discipline Studies please contact (07) 4923 2735 or email disciplinestudies@cqu.edu.au
OR
* Queensland Health Transition Program (in the area of specialisation)
OR
* Certificate level studies from another approved provider (in the area of specialisation) equivalent to those of the CQUniversity Discipline Studies or Queensland Health Transition Programs.
Special Notes
* Students must apply for Recognition of Prior Learning for 16 credit points in the speciality area.*
* Students must apply for Recognition of Prior Learning for 16 credit points in the speciality area to the Program Coordinator.
* For information about Credit Transfer - For information about the 16 credit points exemption required to enter the Master of Clinical Practice (Specialisation) contact the Program Advisor.
* *Should an applicant seek a subsequent award in a second specialty, the equivalent of 16 units of credit of the new specialty study must be completed (or evidenced) and a further 8 units of credit of postgraduate study completed at CQUniversity.
2. Graduate Diploma of Clinical Practice (Specialisation) CF80
* The elective may be selected from any CQUniversity postgraduate course or be an approved elective from another provider.
3. Master of Clinical Practice (Specialisation) CF79
To be eligible for an award of Master of Clinical Practice (Specialisation) CF79, students must complete a total of 72 units of credit directly related to the area of specialisation.
Master of Clinical Practice (Specialisation) study schedule. Study schedule - 72 units of credit.
Graduate Certificate in Clinical Practice (Specialisation) Study Schedule - 24 units of credit.
* NURS21153 Communication Skills for Advanced Professional Practice
* Plus 16 credit points (either Disciplinary Studies or an approved Health Industry Transition Program
Graduate Diploma of Clinical Practice (Specialisation) Study Schedule - 24 units
* NURS21552 Evidence Based Practice
*
NURS20129 Education in Non-Formal Settings
* Elective approved by the Course Coordinator
Master of Clinical Practice (Specialisation) Study Schedule - 48 units of credit
To be eligible for an award of Master of Clinical Practice (Midwifery) CF79, students must complete a total of 72 units of credit directly related to the area of midwifery. Students entering the Master of Clinical Practice (Midwifery) will need to have completed a Certificate in Midwifery (16 units of credit) or the equivalent plus complete the following courses:
* NURS21152 Evidence Based Practice
* NURS21153 Communication Skills for Advanced Professional Practice
* NURS20129 Education in Non-Formal Settings
* Elective
* NURS21154 Clinical Project 1
* NURS21155 Clinical Project 2
* NURS21156 Clinical Project 3
Graduate Certificate in Clinical Practice (Specialisation)
Course Code Course Name
Study schedule
16 units of credit exemption from previous recognised study
NURS21153 Communication Skills for Advanced Professional Practice
Graduate Diploma of Clinical Practice (Specialisation)
Course Code Course Name
Study Schedule
Graduate Certificate (in area of specialisation) 24 units of credit
NURS21152 Evidence Based Practice
NURS20129 Education in Non-Formal Settings
Elective
Master of Clinical Practice (Specialisation)
Course Code Course Name
Study Schedule
NURS21154 Clinical Project 1
NURS21155 Clinical Project 2
NURS21156 Clinical Project 3
Graduate Diploma (in area of specialisation) 48 units of credit