Postgraduate ACU-CNC-GCE-2023
Graduate Certificate in Clinical Nursing (Correctional Health)
Advance your nursing career within the criminal justice system
Care for patients in prison and juvenile detention. You’ll gain confidence caring for prisoners’ acute, chronic, and mental health needs in a challenging environment. Graduate and progress into rewarding roles or continue your nursing studies.
Available loans
Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
Total subjects
4
Price
From
$10,540
Study method
100% Online
Assessments
100% online
Credit available
Yes
Applications Close
- No dates available
Established in 1991 after amalgamating four eastern Australian Catholic tertiary institutes, Australian Catholic University now has seven campuses, from Brisbane to Melbourne and welcomes students of all beliefs. Specialising in arts, business, education, health sciences, law, theology and philosophy, ACU encourages its students to think critically and ethically and bring change to their communities and offer this online through Open Universities Australia.
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QS Ranking 2023
31
Times Higher Education Ranking 2023
16
Degree details
The Graduate Certificate in Clinical Nursing (Correctional Health) aims to enhance the practice of health care professionals by expanding the breadth and depth of their knowledge and skills.
Graduates of the Graduate Certificate in Clinical Nursing (Correctional Health) should have:
LO1: A body of knowledge that includes the reflection, analysis and evaluation of recent developments in their area of professional practice;
LO2: Cognitive skills to demonstrate mastery of theoretical knowledge and to reflect critically on theory and professional practice; and
LO3: Technical and communication skills to design, evaluate implement, analyse and theorise about developments that contribute to professional practice.
Career OpportunitiesGraduates may seek employment in clinical nursing in government and private health care facilities depending on your choice of specialisation.
Graduate Certificate in Clinical Nursing (Correctional Health):
- Working with prisoners experiencing a range of serious mental health issues and/or with a range of unique chronic health care needs
Higher education
An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
To be eligible for admission to the Graduate Certificate in Clinical Nursing, an applicant must:
a) have completed a Bachelor of Nursing degree or equivalent;
b) hold current registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra).
English Proficiency Requirements
International English Language Testing System - Academic (IELTS): Overall score: 6.5 with an individual score of 6.0 in all tests
Pearson Test of English (PTE): 58 with a minimum of 50 in all four communicative skills
Test of English as a Foreign Language - Academic (TOEFL): Internet based total of 79 with a minimum of 21 in writing, 18 in speaking, 13 in reading and 12 in listening
ACU English Language Test: B (65-74%
Cambridge Advanced English (CAE): Overall CAE of 176 with a minimum individual score of 169 in all test areas.
Special requirements
Graduate Certificate in Clinical Nursing (Correctional Health)
- It is expected that students will be engaged in nursing employment, preferably where they have ongoing contact with prisoners within the justice system.
If your previous study has equipped you with knowledge, skills or experiences that align with the learning outcomes of units in your new course you may be able to apply for recognition of prior learning and you may be able to complete your course sooner. Speak to your course consultant for more information or to discuss your eligibility. ACU will consider requests for advanced standing based on prior studies to a maximum equivalence of 2 subjects (20cp).
The Graduate Certificate in Clinical Nursing is designed to expand your knowledge and skills in clinical nursing and practice. You can choose either correctional health, gerontological nursing, renal or medical as your clinical specialisation. You will develop your holistic care skills in specialty practice, including person- and family-centred health promotion. Specific knowledge in the areas of bioscience, pharmacology, and lifespan development, relevant to your chosen specialty, will also be explored and applied to your clinical nursing practice.
In the correction health specialisation, the mental health of prisoners is comprehensively and extensively covered. Modules include the importance of physical health, healthcare management, and consequences of accelerated ageing of the prison population.
This course also offers specialisations in the following areas:
Graduate Certificate in Clinical Nursing (Gerontological Nursing)
Graduate Certificate in Clinical Nursing (Renal)
Graduate Certificate in Clinical Nursing (Medical)
Recommended Study Pattern
Students are required to follow the pattern of subject enrolment set out in the relevant Course Enrolment Guide, unless otherwise approved by the Course Coordinator. In all aspects of progress through the course, students will be advised by the Course Coordinator.
To qualify for the degree, a student must complete 4 subjects from Schedule of Unit Offerings comprising of:
- 2 subjects from Specified Clinical Nursing Units; and
- 2 subject from Specialisation units.
Graduate Certificate in Clinical Nursing (Correctional Health):
Specified Clinical Nursing Units
- NRSG524 Advanced Pathophysiology for Specialty Nursing Practice (10cp)
- NRSG525 Evdence-based, Person-centred Family Care in Specialty Nursing Practice (10cp)
Specialisation unts:
- NRSG526 Correctional Health: Mental Health Care (10cp)
- NRSG527 Correctional Health: Chronic Illness (10cp)
Award Requirements
To qualify for the degree, a student must complete 40 cp from the schedule of subject offerings.