Course

Master of Mental Health Nursing (Nurse Practitioner)

Approved Abbreviation: MMentHlthNurs(NP)

Western Sydney University Course Code: 4673.3

AQF Level: 9

Students should follow the course structure for the course version relevant to the year they commenced. This version applies to students whose commencement year in this course is 2015 or later.

Units may be revised or replaced to ensure students are provided with up to date curriculum throughout their studies, and this may result in a new course version. Refer to the Check My Course Progress page in MySR for the most up to date information for your course.

For Commencement Year Autumn 2011 to 2014, please refer to: 4673.2 Master of Mental Health Nursing (Nurse Practitioner)

For Commencement Year Autumn 2010, please refer to: 4673.1 Master of Mental Health Nursing (Nurse Practitioner)

Nurse Practitioners are expected to be clinical leaders who work autonomously from a sound evidence base, instigate diagnostic investigations, prescribe medication within an approved formulary, and refer judiciously. Students of this course undertake units of study that will prepare them for the role of Nurse Practitioner in the specialist area of mental health. This study program incorporates areas of advanced health assessment, clinical leadership, evidence-based nursing, diagnostic skills, therapeutic management, psychopharmacology, evaluation and collaboration in care. Students also have the opportunity to complete specialist electives to suit their particular practice setting.

Study Mode
Four years part-time.

Accreditation
The Master of Mental Health Nursing (Nurse Practitioner) was initially accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA). From 1st July 2010 the approval, recognition and accreditation of courses has been transferred to the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC). Course accreditation can be checked on their website. Http://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Accreditation.aspx

Inherent requirements

There are inherent requirements for this course that you must meet in order to complete your course and graduate. Make sure you read and understand the requirements for this course online.

Inherent Requirements

Admission

Applicants must meet all of the following criteria to be eligible for entry:

Registered Nurse (currently registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency - Nursing and Midwifery)

An undergraduate degree in Nursing or Health Science (Nursing) OR minimum of five years full-time equivalent work experience in mental health nursing

Graduate certificate, or higher, in mental health nursing

three years full-time equivalent work experience as a registered nurse, of which 12 months full-time equivalent is in an advanced clinical role in mental health

Successful applicants will need to arrange the following:

Submission to the University of evidence of current clinical practice in an advanced clinical role in mental health, confirmed via 2 referee reports and

Access to complete clinical experience in a mental health setting (as approved by the School or Nursing and Midwifery) and

Contract with a University approved primary supervisor/mentor/assessor (PSMA) to meet the requirements of the course.

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

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.

Course Structure

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 160 credit points which include the units listed in the recommended sequence below. Students may exit with a Master of Mental Health Nursing on completion of the relevant units.

Master of Mental Health Nursing

Recommended Sequence

Year 1

Autumn session

400220

Contemporary Professional Practice in Mental Health Nursing

401168

Evidence Based Health Care

Spring session

400235

Leadership in Clinical Practice

And one elective (for Nurse Practitioner role development)