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Graduate Diploma in Nursing Science (Emergency Nursing)

Campus Teaching Hospitals

Degree Type Graduate Diploma

Duration 1 year full-time or part-time? equiv.

SATAC Code 3GD034

2009
ATAR N/A

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  • Program Outline
    Advancing Practice. Clinical Impact

    Emergency Nursing is concerned with the care of people who present to emergency departments (ED). People who present to EDs come with a wide variety of complaints, some attend with minor injuries or illnesses while others are brought to the ED with life threatening emergencies. The emergency nurse needs to be able to sort everyone into categories, so that the sickest person is seen first and then to be able to initiate best practice care. In order to accomplish this, emergency nurses need to understand the pathophysiology of emergency conditions and how these are manifested in signs and symptoms. Emergency nurses also need to know how to care for minor injuries and illnesses, as this is an area in which nurses are becoming increasingly involved with the introduction of nurse practitioners.

    The Graduate Diploma in Nursing Science (Emergency Nursing) provides graduates with a rigorous grounding in emergency care. This will include cardiac rhythm and ECG interpretation, chest radiograph interpretation, oxygen therapy and many more skills. The following areas of traumatic injury will also be covered; thoracic, spinal, head and brain, orthopaedic, abdominal, burns and paediatric injuries. This will provide students with a broad grounding in pathologies that cause people to present to emergency departments.

    Students will also graduate with a sound practical knowledge of; physical examination, history taking, body systems examination, initiating infusions, haemodynamic monitoring, defibrillation, external cardiac pacing, assisting with endotracheal intubation, triage, intermittent positive pressure ventilation, plastering, bandaging and splinting, using crutches, suturing, paediatric and adult resuscitation, preserving forensic evidence, pain management, grief and loss, and discharging patients.

    Successful completion of Semester 1 specialty courses is a prerequisite for continuing in Semester 2 specialty courses.

  • Program Structure
    SPECIALITY CORE COURSES

    Nursing & Medical Science in Emergency Nursing I
    Units: 4 units
    Teaching period: Semester 1
    This course builds on the clinical and core courses in the specialty of Emergency Nursing. The focus is on physiology, biochemistry, therapeutics and nursing science.

    Nursing & Medical Science in Emergency Nursing II
    Units: 4 units
    Teaching period: Semester 2
    This course builds on Nursing and Medical Science in Emergency Nursing I and the other specialty emergency courses. The focus is on physiology, biochemistry, therapeutics and nursing science.

    Emergency Nursing I
    Units: 4 units
    Teaching period: Semester 1
    This course largely consists of field based learning within the area of Emergency Nursing, supported by workshops. It focuses on advanced clinical skills acquisition, through field based learning within the area of Emergency Nursing. The skills associated with patient assessment and advanced life support form the central component of this course.

    Emergency Nursing II
    Units: 4 units
    Teaching period: Semester 2
    This course builds on the student's previous learning in Emergency Nursing I. Similarly it focuses on advanced clinical skill acquisition, particularly those skills associated with the care and treatment of minor injuries.

    CORE COURSES

    Developing Advanced Practice in Health Systems I
    Units: 4 units
    Teaching period: Semester 1 or Semester 2
    This course examines contemporary issues related to advanced nursing practice and considers the supports and constraints within which nurses practice. Topics include ethics of care, leadership, advocacy, evidence based practice, health service management, professional standards, health informatics and multicultural health care.

    Developing Advanced Practice in Health Systems II
    Units: 4 units
    Teaching period: Semester 1 or Semester 2
    This course examines the evaluation of clinical practice through clinical audit. Students progress through a series of readings and activities that introduce clinical audit and then progressively work through the processes involved in the development, conduct and reporting of an audit of clinical practice.

    Focused Reading in Clinical Nursing (for students granted advanced standing)
    Units: 4 units
    Teaching period: Semester 1 or Semester 2
    This course examines contemporary clinical nursing practice through a critical review of the literature with a focus on acute care nursing practice. Students are required to follow a protocol to ensure scientific rigour and minimise potential bias.
  • Related Programs
  • Admission and Fee Information

    Choose your applicant type to view the relevant admissions information for this program.
    I am a:

    Domestic applicants

    Not a domestic applicant? ?

    SATAC Code 3GD034
    Annual tuition fees ?
    Commonwealth-supported place: $5,310
    Mid-year entry? Yes
    Enquiries Student Centre
    Selection Criteria ?
    Graduate entry only.
    Applicants must:
    1. be registered, or be eligible for registration, as a nurse in Australia or New Zealand, and 2. hold a degree of Bachelor of Nursing or equivalent; or, have at least two years experience as a registered nurse in the field of the specialisation to be undertaken.
    Additional Entry Requirements ?
    Applicants must also complete an "Additional Information Request Form", available at www.health.adelaide.edu.au/nursing/students/programs/#applications. This form should be submitted within ten working days after applying to SATAC. Applicants must provide a Curriculum Vitae with the form.
    How to Apply ?
    SATAC Code: 3GD034

    International applicants

    Not an international applicant? ?

    IELTS Overall 6.5 [more info]
    Annual tuition fees ? International student place: $23,100
    Mid-year entry? No
    Enquiries Student Centre
    Selection Criteria ?
    Graduate entry only
    Prerequisites ?
    Registered nurses currently employed full-time or a minimum of 60% in relevant field
    Equivalent Scores
    IELTS
    Overall
    Reading
    Listening
    Speaking
    Writing
    6.5
    6
    6
    6
    6
    How to Apply ?

    International applicants applying with Australian year 12 results

    Not an international applicant applying with Australian year 12 results? ?

    Annual tuition fees ? International student place: $23,100
    Mid-year entry? No
    Enquiries Student Centre
    Selection Criteria ?
    Graduate entry only
  • Study Plans

    The study plans ? given are examples of pathways through this degree for students that commenced their program in 2010 (refer to the program rules). Students that commenced in previous years should refer to the tabs above(referring to years) or consult their Faculty for advice.

    SPECIALITY CORE COURSES

    Nursing & Medical Science in Emergency Nursing I
    Teaching period: Semester 1
    This course builds on the clinical and core courses in the specialty of Emergency Nursing. The focus is on physiology, biochemistry, therapeutics and nursing science.

    Nursing & Medical Science in Emergency Nursing II
    Teaching period: Semester 2
    This course builds on Nursing and Medical Science in Emergency Nursing I and the other specialty emergency courses. The focus is on physiology, biochemistry, therapeutics and nursing science.

    Emergency Nursing I
    Teaching period: Semester 1
    This course largely consists of field based learning within the area of Emergency Nursing, supported by workshops. It focuses on advanced clinical skills acquisition, through field based learning within the area of Emergency Nursing. The skills associated with patient assessment and advanced life support form the central component of this course.

    Emergency Nursing II
    Teaching period: Semester 2
    This course builds on the student’s previous learning in Emergency Nursing I. Similarly it focuses on advanced clinical skill acquisition, particularly those skills associated with the care and treatment of minor injuries.

    CORE COURSES

    Developing Advanced Practice in Health Systems I
    Teaching period: Semester 1 or Semester 2
    This course examines contemporary issues related to advanced nursing practice and considers the supports and constraints within which nurses practice. Topics include ethics of care, leadership, advocacy, evidence based practice, health service management, professional standards, health informatics and multicultural health care.

    Developing Advanced Practice in Health Systems II
    Teaching period: Semester 1 or Semester 2
    This course examines the evaluation of clinical practice through clinical audit. Students progress through a series of readings and activities that introduce clinical audit and then progressively work through the processes involved in the development, conduct and reporting of an audit of clinical practice.

    Focused Reading in Clinical Nursing (for students granted advanced standing)
    Teaching period: Semester 1 or Semester 2
    This course examines contemporary clinical nursing practice through a critical review of the literature with a focus on acute care nursing practice. Students are required to follow a protocol to ensure scientific rigour and minimise potential bias.

  • Program Rules

    Applicants must

    1. be registered, or be eligible for registration, as a nurse in Australia or New Zealand, and
    2. hold a degree of Bachelor of Nursing or equivalent; or, have at least two years experience as a registered nurse in the field of the specialisation to be undertaken.

    This academic plan is offered to registered nurses currently employed full-time or for a minimum of 0.6 in the specialty setting.

  • Further Information
    Please contact the Discipline of Nursing for information:
    Administrative Officer
    Telephone: +61 8 8303 3595
    Email: nursing.sec@adelaide.edu.au

    Further information available at http://www.health.adelaide.edu.au/nursing
  • Useful Links

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Last updated: Saturday, 14 May 2011

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