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Find a Program in 2009

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Graduate Diploma in Nursing Science (Gerontological Nursing) GD.NSGeron
2009

Program Outline | Program Structure | Related Programs | Admission Information | Study Plans | Program Rules | Further Information

Location: Teaching Hospitals
Duration: 1 year (full-time or part-time? equivalent)
Degree/Award: Graduate Diploma

Program Outline

No new admissions into this program.

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.

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Admission Information

No new admissions into this program.

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
HESS group ? General
Annual tuition fees ?
Australian Full-fee place: $5,880
Mid-year entry? Subject to availability
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 the following additional information with the form:
  • a Curriculum Vitae.

How to Apply ?

SATAC Code: 3GD036

International applicants

Not an international applicant? ?

Not offered to international students.

International applicants applying with Australian year 12 results

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

Not offered to international students.

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Study Plans

The study plans ? given are examples of pathways through this degree. For a complete description, see the program rules.

SPECIALITY COURSES

Functional Assessment

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
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
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
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
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.

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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.

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Further Information

Please direct enquiries to the Student Centre
Phone: +61 8 8303 7335 (toll free 1800 061 459)

The annual Open Day and Information Night events provide an excellent opportunity to see our campus, meet with academics, and discuss your study options.

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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: Tuesday, 3 Mar 2009

Student Profile

The high quality of education, affordable cost of living, and the uncrowded environment all appealed to me.

Aswidya Indririski

“After comparing the top Australian universities I decided that the University of Adelaide was the most suitable.

My advice: just come here and prepare to experience a wonderful life. Keep an open mind, enjoy the academic life and socialise with other people. It’s a really great experience.”

Aswidya Indririski - Masters of International Studies