Course description
The course leads to a generic Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing Practice (PDNP) or a Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing Practice (PDNP) with a specialisation. The award of a specialisation is dependent on the program of study undertaken.
The PDNP is a flexible, mixed mode (on-campus, online and clinical practice) coursework program of one years’ duration.
The course provides the opportunity for nurses to extend their nursing knowledge in an area of specialty nursing and to develop a level of clinical competence consistent with proficient specialty practice.
As a graduate of the PDNP you will have:
+ the ability to apply theoretical knowledge to understand the practice of providing holistic nursing care to individuals experiencing a complex range of disturbances to health and wellbeing that require complex specialty nursing interventions
+ an understanding of the professional issues impacting upon specialty nursing and the wider nursing profession
+ a beginning understanding of the international context and sensitivities of the specialty area
+ a capactiy to engage where appropriate with issues in contemporary society that impact on and are impacted by specialty nursing practice
+ an appreciation of the ways in which evidence based practice guides specialty practice and how specialty knowledge equips the student to offer leadership in the specialty area
+ an appreciation of the design, conduct and reporting of research as it relates to the development of evidence based practice
+ a capacity to articulate knowledge and understanding of specialty practice in oral and written presentations
+ a capacity to manage competing demands on time, including self-directed project work
demonstrated clinical competencies in a workplace, assessed by clinical experts, at a proficient level as benchmarked against Australian specialty practice competencies
Structure
The PDNP is comprised of 100 credit points of coursework subjects. You will complete a mandated evidence-based subject and a range of clinical and theory coursework subjects contributing to either a generic or specialisation award. Enrolment is dependant on meeting prescribed registration and clinical experience requirements. You must also have the support of your current employer to facilitate completion of specialty clinical competencies.
Major areas of study
Anaesthetics, Cancer & Palliative Care, Critical Care, Emergency, Mental Health, Paediatrics, Paediatric Critical Care, Perioperative, Rural Critical Care
