Course

Master of Nursing (Mental Health - Nurse Practitioner)

Approved Abbreviation: MN(MH-NursPrac)

Western Sydney University Course Code: 4539.1

CRICOS Code: 044867G

"Nurse Practitioners" are advanced practice nurses who are authorised by the Nurses and Midwives Board of NSW to use that title. Nurse Practitioners are expected to work autonomously, instigate diagnostic investigations, prescribe medication within an approved formulary, and refer judiciously. Students of this course undertake all of the components of the Graduate Diploma in Nursing (Mental Health) then specialise in the additional Nurse Practitioner component of the course. This programme, which includes a significant advanced clinical practice component, meets the requirements of the Nurses and Midwives Board of NSW addressing areas of advanced health assessment, diagnostic skills, therapeutic management, pharmacology, evaluation and collaboration in care.

Study Mode
Mode of delivery is distance education. Students will be required to undertake supervised, advanced clinical practice in their workplace that is approved by the course coordinator, in order to successfully complete the clinical practice units. Three years part-time study in total - one year additional part-time study after completion of the course requirements for the Graduate Diploma in Nursing (Mental Health).

Advanced standing

The Master of Nursing (Mental Health - Nurse Practitioner) articulates with the Graduate Diploma in Nursing (Mental Health). Further advanced standing would be considered on a case-by-case basis according to UWS policy.

Accreditation
Nurse Practitioners are required to apply for individual authorisation with the Nurses and Midwives Board of NSW (NMB). In order to proceed to application for Nurse Practitioner status with Nurses' Registration Board of NSW candidates must, amongst other criteria, demonstrate 5000 hours of advanced clinical practice.

Admission

Applications for the course must be made through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). Further information on admission to postgraduate courses is available on the Local Admissions section of the UWS website.

Applicants must meet the admission requirements for the Graduate Diploma in Nursing (Mental Health). For details please refer to the Handbook entry for that course.

In order to progress from the Graduate Diploma to the degree Master of Nursing (Mental Health - Nurse Practitioner) the following additional criteria must also be met:

current clinical practice of 12 months in an advanced clinical role which has been confirmed by the students employer(s)

satisfactory credit point average achieved at Graduate Diploma level

contract with a university approved clinical supervisor(s) to meet the requirements of the Advanced Mental Health Nursing Clinical Practice Units

Course Structure

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of120 credit points as per the recommended sequence below.

The four advanced mental health nursing units may not be undertaken until successful completion of 80 credit points at year one and year two levels. The Advanced Mental Health Clinical Practice Units may only be undertaken by students working in advanced clinical practice roles in mental health.

Recommended Sequence

Full-time

Year 1

Autumn session

400206

Evidence-based Nursing

400217

Mental Health Assessment and Application

400218

Mental Health Nursing Practice 1

400220

Contemporary Professional Practice in Mental Health Nursing