The University of Adelaide
Degree Finder

Back to search

Graduate Diploma in Nursing Science (Gerontological Nursing)

Campus Teaching Hospitals

Degree Type Graduate Diploma

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

SATAC Code 3GD036

2009
ATAR N/A

Open All
  • Program Outline

    Nurses provide specialised care to the older person across a range of health care settings and require specific skills and knowledge to ensure that their practice is based on best available evidence. This graduate diploma is designed to provide opportunities for nurses to develop advanced specialist skills in clinical inquiry, practice and leadership specifically in the field of aged care nursing. The successful completion of the courses leads to the award of Graduate Diploma in Nursing Science (Gerontological Nursing) and consists of four courses covering ageing, assessment and palliative care and contemporary issues for aged care and two core courses in Developing Advanced Practice in Health Systems. For students granted advanced standing there is a course of focused reading or other courses may be studied at the discretion of the course coordinator.

  • Program Structure
    SPECIALITY COURSES

    Functional Assessment
    Units: 4 units
    Teaching period: Semester 1 or Semester 2
    This course focuses on the skills of assessment and the planning of care and services. Topics include: physical assessment; assessment of activities of living; psychosocial assessment; problem identification and management; and enablement processes.

    Gerontological Nursing
    Units: 4 units
    Teaching period: Semester 1 or Semester 2
    The major focus in this course is advanced clinical skills acquisition based on integrating different theories of ageing giving consideration to the parameters and limitations of the sociology, psychology, biology and spirituality factors in ageing. You will be required to critically evaluate the suitability of one or more nursing models or frameworks for use in at least two clinical settings; critically discuss gerontological nursing practice within the context of contemporary health service delivery; understand the rationale for documentation, continuous improvement, evaluations and research, in all aspects of undertaking high level nursing care.

    Palliative Nursing in Aged Care
    Units: 4 units
    Teaching period: Semester 1 or Semester 2
    This course focuses on the palliative care requirements of the elderly. Topics include principles of palliative care, non specialist practice in the area of palliative care, ageing, dying and grieving, the ethics of dying, patient's and relative's needs, pain management, symptom control, alternative therapies, spiritual/religious and cultural issues.

    Contemporary Issues in Aged Care
    Units: 4 units
    Teaching period: Semester 1 or Semester 2
    This course examines contemporary issues and debates specifically related to service delivery in the aged care sector. The impact of Government policies and funding arrangements on the delivery of professional services to older people are studied in detail. Courses are directly related to the management and administration of a nursing service for older people in Australia.


    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 3GD036
    Annual tuition fees ?
    Commonwealth-supported place: $5,310
    Mid-year entry? Yes
    Enquiries University Contact Centre
    Selection Criteria ?
    Graduate entry only.
    How to Apply ?
    SATAC Code: 3GD036

    International applicants

    Not an international applicant? ?

    IELTS Overall 6.5 [more info]
    Annual tuition fees ? International student place: $23,100
    Enquiries University Contact Centre
    Selection Criteria ?
    Graduate entry only
    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
    Enquiries University Contact 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 COURSES

    • Functional Assessment
    • Gerontological Nursing
    • Palliative Nursing in Aged Care
    • Cantemporary Issues in Aged Care

     CORE COURSES

    • Developing Advanced Practice in Health Systems I
    • Developing Advanced Practice in Health Systems II
    • Focused Reading in Clinical Nursing (for students granted advanced standing)
  • 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.
  • 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

Back to Search 

Featured Degree 

Living in Adelaide

South Australia offers an enviable lifestyle in an environment that is ideal for study

torrens river

Adelaide is a safe, relaxed and affordable place to live. In 2008 Adelaide was ranked in the top 7 of the world's most liveable cities by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), and other recent EIU research shows that the cost of living in Adelaide is 18% less than Sydney, 17% less than Melbourne and 6% less than Brisbane and Perth.

Need Help?

Contact us

Our University Contact Centre can help with any enquiries you have - all you have to do is ask! We're open 9am-5pm Adelaide time, Mon-Fri.

Call us +61 8 8313 7335
(Toll free) 1800 061 459
Stay Informed
Life Impact | The University of Adelaide Top

Home

Information For

Information About

People & Places

The University of Adelaide
Adelaide, South Australia
5005 Australia

CRICOS Provider Number 00123M


Telephone: +61 8 8313 4455

Coordinates: -34.920843, 138.604513

Authorised by:Director, Marketing & Strategic Communications
Maintained by:Marketing & Strategic Communications