Advancing Practice. Clinical Impact

The Graduate Diploma in Nursing Science (Cardiac Nursing) is designed to develop advanced theoretical knowledge and specialist skills essential for the registered nurse to proficiently assess and manage adult patients admitted to hospital with acute and chronic cardiac conditions.

Graduates will have a comprehensive knowledge of the medical and surgical cardiac patient and be equipped to care for patients admitted to the following; medical cardiology units, interventional cardiology units, cardiothoracic surgical units and cardiac catheterisation laboratories.

Successful completion of Semester 1 specialty courses is a prerequisite for continuing in Semester 2 specialty courses. Two speciality elective courses are offered in Semester 2 for students working in the cardiac catheterisation laboratory.

SPECIALTY CORE COURSES

Nursing & Medical Science in Cardiac Nursing I
Units: 4 units
Teaching period: Semester 1
This course provides graduates with a rigorous grounding in the theoretical knowledge that underpins practice. It focuses on pathophysiology, patient assessment, monitoring, investigations and management of the patient with cardiac disease. Topics include, but are not limited to; cardiac physiology, electrophysiology arrhythmia interpretation and management, 12 lead ECG interpretation, diagnosis and management of myocardial infarction, respiratory physiology, respiratory failure, oxygen therapy and mechanical ventilation.

Nursing & Medical Science in Cardiac Nursing II
Units: 4 units
Teaching period: Semester 2
This course builds on Nursing and Medical Science in Cardiac Nursing I. Topics include, but are not limited to; heamodynamic monitoring, classification and treatment of shock, angina and antianginals, cardiac and thoracic surgery, inotropic therapy, sedation, pain management and neuromuscular blocking drugs, acute renal failure, cardiac failure and transplantation, valvular heart disease and cardiac investigations.

Cardiac Nursing I
Units: 4 units
Teaching period: Semester 1
This course is clinically based and has a significant focus on the acquisition of practical skills necessary to care for the critically ill cardiac patient. This will be supported by clinical workshops and supervised clinical practice. Topics include, but are not limited to; physical examination, arrhythmia interpretation, practice 12 lead ECG interpretation, pacing, advanced life support, airway management, mechanical ventilation and CXR interpretation.

Cardiac Nursing II
Units: 4 units
Teaching period: Semester 2
This course builds on Cardiac Nursing I. Topics include, but are not limited to; heamodynamic monitoring, practical acid base interpretation, transport of the critically ill, intraaortic balloon pump workshop, and cardiac rehabilitation.

SPECIALTY ELECTIVE COURSES

Nursing & Medical Science in Interventional Cardiology
Units: 4 units
This course will build on Nursing & Medical Science in Cardiac Nursing I and integrate with Nursing and Medical Science in Cardiac Nursing II. The focus of this course is on the theoretic knowledge which underpins practice within the cardiac catheterisation laboratory and offers an overview of cardiac catheterisation procedures and nursing responsibilities.

Interventional Cardiology
Units: 4 units
Teaching period: Semester 2
This course runs in conjunction with Nursing & Medical Science in Interventional Cardiology and integrates with Nursing and Medical Science in Cardiac Nursing II. This course is clinically based and has a significant focus on the acquisition of practical skills necessary to care for patients in the cardiac catheterisation laboratory. Students will gain practical knowledge in; preparation of the patient and equipment for cardiac interventional procedures, the roles of the circulating and instrument nurse, and the analysis and interpretation of data obtained during interventional procedures.

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.

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.

• Discipline of Nursing