Master of Nursing (Paediatrics)

Not offered in 2021

The Paediatrics specialisation is offered by the College of Nursing and Health Sciences and is completed as part of the Master of Nursing (Coursework and Specialisation). 

This is to be read in conjunction with the course rule for the Master of Nursing (Coursework and Specialisation).

• Admission requirements
• Course aims
• Learning outcomes
• Program of study 
  

Admission requirements

Applicants must normally hold an approved degree or equivalent qualification and must be registered nurses.

However, the Dean (Education) may, under certain circumstances and subject to specific conditions, admit others who can show evidence of fitness for candidature.

In addition, applicants must have a minimum of one year post-registration experience.

This specialisation involves a Professional Experience Placement (PEP).  Please check additional requirements on the PEP web pages.

Specialisation aims

• facilitate development of specialised knowledge, skills and attributes for application in paediatric nursing environments
• extend student knowledge in research for practice development

Learning outcomes 

In addition to the Learning Outcomes of the Master of Nursing (Coursework and Specialisation), on completion of this course, students in the Paediatrics specialisation will be able to:

• critically analyse the concepts and theory around recognition, response and management of the acute, complex and/or critically-ill deteriorating paediatric patient in an acute care setting
• identify key concepts related to working with children and their families such as keeping children safe, growth and development, attachment theories and engaging with infants, children and families
• critique the socioeconomic, physiological and psychosocial issues facing the health and wellbeing of children, young people and their families in contemporary society
• apply the knowledge, skills and attributes required to practice at a beginning level in the 
  specialist area of paediatric nursing in a variety of clinical settings.

Program of study

Students choosing this specialisation undertake an 18 unit specialisation, 27 units of coursework and 9 units of option topics. 

To qualify for the Master of Nursing (Coursework and Specialisation) with a Paediatrics specialisation, a student must complete 54 units with a grade of Pass or NGP or better in each topic, according to the program of study set out below.

Except with permission of the Dean (Education):

• no topic may be attempted more than twice;
• a student may not include a topic which repeats work previously undertaken;

The award of a grade of Fail (F) in the same topic on more than one occasion or in 9 units or more, or failure to complete the course within eight consecutive semesters may constitute prima facie evidence of unsatisfactory progress for the purpose of the University's Policy on Student Progress.

Not all elective topics will be available in any given year or semester.

Specialisation - Paediatrics - Core topics

18 units comprising:

NURS8740  Foundations for Responding to Clinical Deterioration Across the Lifespan (4.5 units)
NURS8824  Introduction to Working with Infants, Children and Families (4.5 units)
NURS8828  Contemporary Issues in Paediatric Nursing (4.5 units)
NURS8829  Paediatric Nursing Practice (PEP) (4.5 units)

Core - Coursework topics

plus 27 units comprising:

NURS9123  Epidemiology and Population Studies for Health Care Practice (4.5 units)
NURS9124  Advanced Thinking, Communicating and Problem Solving for Health Professionals (4.5 units)
NURS9126  Leadership in Health Studies  (4.5 units)
NURS9219  Introduction to Research (4.5 units)
NURS9222  Advancing Research Knowledge to Inform Healthcare Practice (9 unit)

Option - Year 1 & 2 topics

plus 9 units selected from:

NURS8742  Critical Care Nursing Theory (4.5 units)
NURS8746  Managing High Acuity Surgical Care (4.5 units)
NURS8747  Managing High Acuity Medical Care (4.5 units)
NURS8751  Dimensions of Emergency Nursing (4.5 units)
NURS8760  Acute Mental Health Nursing Theory (4.5 units)

In consultation with the Course Coordinator, students may select as their option topic(s) other postgraduate topics offered by the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, excluding Professional Experience Placement (PEP) topics.