Program Status: 

This program applies to students who commenced in 2015 or later.

This program provides students with the theoretical knowledge and critical thinking skills to prepare them for advanced practice in mental health nursing, across a range of health care settings. Graduates will be able to apply advanced practice, concepts and analysis in mental health nursing to promote optimal health outcomes for clients with mental illness. Opportunities will be provided for students to undertake in-depth study into aspects of mental health and mental illness relevant to their specific area of practice.

Early Exits

Students may exit this program on completion of 40 credit points with a 4721 Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Nursing or on completion of 80 credit points with a 4720 Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing

Study Mode

One and a half years full-time or three years part-time.

Program Advice

Dr Greg Clark

Prospective students should visit the following websites for general enquiries about this program.

Enquire about this program| Local Admission | International Admission |

Location

Location

Campus	Attendance	Mode	Advice
Online	Full Time	Online	See above
Online	Part Time	Online	See above

Admission

All applicants must meet the following criteria to be eligible for entry:

Registered Nurse or Midwife (currently registered to practise with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency - Nursing and Midwifery). Any other type of registration (non-practising, limited, or student) is not acceptable for this program.
And
Completion of an undergraduate degree in health-related sciences (AQF Level 7 or equivalent), such as health science, human science, midwifery, naturopathy, nursing, nutrition, psychology or Completion of a Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing (AQF Level 8 or equivalent).
And
One year full-time equivalent work experience as a registered nurse or registered midwife within the last five years.

Applicants seeking admission on the basis of work experience must support their application with a Statement of Service for all work experience listed on the application. 

Statement of Service form

Applications from Australian and New Zealand citizens and holders of permanent resident visas must be made via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).  Use the links below to apply via UAC or Western Sydney University.  Applications made directly to Western Sydney do not have an application fee.

Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Local and International applicants who are applying through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) will find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on the UAC website. Local applicants applying directly to the University should also use the information provided on the UAC website.

http://www.uac.edu.au/
https://westernsydney.uac.edu.au/ws/

Overseas qualifications must be deemed by the Australian Education International - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR) to be equivalent to Australian qualifications in order to be considered by UAC and Western Sydney University.

Program Structure

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 120 credit points including the subjects listed below

Subject List

Subject	Title	Credit Points
NURS 7006	Biological Considerations in Mental Health and Mental Illness for Advanced Practice	10
NURS 7013	Clinical Supervision in Health Care	10
NURS 7018	Contemporary Professional Practice in Mental Health Nursing	10
NURS 7023	Evidence Based Health Care	10
NURS 7029	Mental Health Assessment and Application	10
NURS 7030	Mental Health Nursing Practice 1	10
NURS 7031	Mental Health Nursing Practice 2	10
NURS 7041	Psychopharmacology for Advanced Practice Mental Health Nurses	10
Select two electives		20
Select one of the following:		20
NURS 7065	Capstone Experience in Health Care
NURS 7042	Research Project in Health Care
Or two of
NURS 7043	Scholarship for Practice Change in Health Care
NURS 7045	Writing for Publication
Total Credit Points		120