Graduate Diploma in Nursing (Cardiovascular Nursing)

Degree Level Postgraduate

Years

International students

Start date
February

Campus
City East

Duration
1 year(s) full-time

Program Code
IGNG

Fees
AUD$ 23,000 per annum (per 1.0 EFTSL) for students enrolled in 2013

English Language Requirements

IELTS total [6.5]
IELTS reading [6.0]
IELTS writing [6.0]
IELTS speaking [6.0]
IELTS listening [6.0]

Equivalent English qualifications (PDF)

International Admission by Country
See full entry requirements

CRICOS Code
045407E

Entry requirements
Applicants are required to:
- hold a Bachelor degree in Nursing or equivalent from a recognised higher education institution; OR
- have completed hospital based training as a Registered Nurse; OR
- have successfully completed the nested Graduate Certificate in Nursing (Cardiovascular Nursing) offered by UniSA, or an equivalent qualification from another Australian university.
In addition, applicants must:
- hold a Current Practising Certificate as a Registered Nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia or, for international students, be eligible to be licensed to practice as a Registered Nurse in their own country or place of residence; AND
- have completed a minimum of one year of clinical experience as a Registered Nurse; AND
- have current experience with, or access to, clients with cardiovascular health problems.
English language entry requirements
In addition, international students who speak English as a foreign language must have obtained one of the following standards within the last two years prior to admission. Possession of one or more of these qualifications, in addition to the academic entry requirements, does not, in itself, guarantee a place at the University of South Australia. Applications are considered on an individual basis and selection is competitive. Where previous study/work experience was conducted in English, the application must be accompanied by certified documentation from the educational institution/employer certifying that the language of instruction/employment was English.
English language test
- IELTS total [6.5]
- IELTS reading [6.0]
- IELTS writing [6.0]
- IELTS speaking [6.0]
- IELTS listening [6.0]
Please access the following link for a comprehensive list of English language tests accepted by UniSA and other important information in relation to meeting the University’s language requirements: English Language Equivalence Table (PDF)
View full entry requirements Hide full entry requirements

Aim

The program provides Registered Nurses with qualifications in the professional field of Cardiovascular Nursing, advancing knowledge and skills and extending professional expertise.

Content & Structure

The program consists of 36 units of study offered over one year full-time or part-time equivalent. Students undertake 18 units of study in the specialty area of Cardiovascular Nursing, 13.5 units of core courses, and a 4.5 unit course chosen from options available.

Courses in the specialty area of Cardiovascular Nursing develop new knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts, principles and competencies applied to, and underpinning, the management of individuals at risk of, or known to have, cardiovascular disease. Core courses allow students to identify policy and practice issues in nursing, and explore health team collaboration in their field of study. Emphasis is also placed on understanding research methods and how they relate to practice and processes within the health care sector. Students will have the benefit of integrating research findings into their practice. Optional courses provide students with the skills to be lifelong learners and to be able to extend their competence and knowledge through critical analysis and reflection.

What courses you'll study

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units	Reference
Core Courses (13.5 units)
Collaborative Approaches to Health	HLTH 5136	9
Applying Research to Nursing and Midwifery Practice	NURS 5124	4.5
Cardiovascular Nursing Courses (18 uits)
Acute Cardiac Care	NURS 5125	9
OR
Critical Care Nursing 1	NURS 5117	9
AND one of the following courses:
Heart Failure Management	NURS 5126	9
Primary and Secondary Prevention in Cardiovascular Health	NURS 5128	9
PLUS one 4.5 unit Optional course chosen from the following:			Note(s): 4
Accounting for Management M	ACCT 5011	4.5
Alcohol and Other Drugs: Extending Practice	NURS 5095	4.5
Complex Health Problems in Rural Settings	HLTH 5152	4.5
Facilitating Practice-Based Learning in the Health Environment	HLTH 5137	4.5
Frameworks for Practice in the Care of Older People	NURS 5129	4.5
Ageing with Chronic and Complex Conditions	NURS 5131	4.5
Health Economics	BUSS 5185	4.5
Health Ethics	HLTH 5002	4.5
Introductory Epidemiology	HLTH 5131	4.5
Introductory Statistics	HLTH 5129	4.5
Issues in Indigenous Health	HLTH 5121	4.5
Leadership and Management in Health 1	NURS 5111	4.5
Introduction to Human Resource Management	BUSS 5307	4.5
Nursing Curricula Development	NURS 5120	4.5
Pharmacology for Health Professionals	PHAR 5041	4.5
Qualitative Methods	HLTH 5124	4.5

Rules & notes

Rules

1. Credit for previous studies or in recognition of prior learning may be granted in accordance with University policy. Maximum credit allowed is normally one-third of the total units of the program.

2. Students who have completed the nested Graduate Certificate in Nursing (Cardiovascular Nursing) at the University of South Australia will be awarded a total of 18 units of credit in the Graduate Diploma of Nursing (Cardiovascular Nursing).

3. Students holding a post-registration hospital specialist certificate in Coronary Care of between 6 and 12 months in length may be granted a maximum of one-half credit (ie 18 units of credit) towards the Graduate Diploma in Nursing (Cardiovascular Nursing), provided that the qualification has been completed no more than 10 years prior to an individual student's application.

Notes

1. The Graduate Diploma in Nursing (Cardiovascular Nursing) may not be offered every year and may also be subject to demand.

2. Students required to complete a practical component should be physically healthy and ensure that immunisation requirements of the proposed venue(s) are adhered to before commencing the course.

3. Core courses (13.5 units) comprise Collaborative Approaches to Health (9 units) and Applying Research to Nursing and Midwifery (4.5 units).

4. Not all courses will be offered in each half of the year and may be subject to demand. Other optional courses may be negotiated, but must be approved by the Program Director in advance of enrolment.