Handbook : Course informationEdith Cowan University

Course Information

Master of Nursing (Graduate Entry)

Effective from 01-JUL-2020 : Code J46

This coursework Masters is a graduate entry to practice program with a strong focus on clinical practice and research. The program will provide experiential and authentic learning opportunities scaffolded by theoretical components to ensure graduates are industry ready upon entry to practice.

Disclaimer

This course information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester. In particular please check the course requirements and the unit and unit set offerings, as these differ according to course delivery location.

Clinical or professional work placement Requirement

Students will undertake a total of 800 hours of professional placement experience. Students enrolled in entry-to-practice programs will be required to travel to professional experience placements in a variety of health services within the region of the campus they are enrolled and may be required to travel to other regions of Western Australia. Students are responsible for any travel and accommodation related costs. Professional experience placements require rostered shifts covering the 24-hour period, inclusive of weekends and public holidays. Students are expected not to undertake paid employment during a period of full-time professional experience placement, as it is a requirement that students have a sufficient length of breaks between shifts.

Duty of care

To be eligible to undertake clinical practice and fulfil their duty of care, students are required to complete clinical practice orientation, risk management training and obtain various screening, vaccination and clearances, as appropriate on commencement of the course and in subsequent semesters. These clinical placement requirements include, but are not restricted to: International students on temporary visas may be required to provide a Certificate of International Police Clearance where possible WA Police National Police Certificate WA Health Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification Manual Handling Certification Evidence of immunisation status aligned with the Australia Immunisation Handbook Tuberculosis screening MRSA clearance if worked in, or been admitted to, a health facility outside of Western Australia in the 12 months; WA Working with Children Check Confidentiality agreement Due to the practical nature of the nursing and midwifery professions, there are inherent requirements applicable to this course that may impact upon the success of some potential students. Applicants and students with a disability or other issue likely to impact on their ability to perform in practice are encouraged to contact the Director, Undergraduate Nursing Studies to discuss the support and inherent requirements of this course More information can be found at https://www.ecu.edu.au/schools/nursing-and-midwifery/nursing-and-midwifery-clinical-placements

Attendance requirements

Students are required to undertake a minimum 800 hours of full time clinical placements. In the practicum units students are required to attend a minimum of 80% of the workshops held within the demonstration wards. Practicum placement dates are outside of standard semester timetable to ensure that sufficient and appropriate placements can be procured for the course.

Professional practice rules

Registered nurse standards for practice. Students will be expected to comply with the conduct requirements of their clinical placement.

Implications of failing

The practicum units are a fundamental course requirement and some units may only be attempted once unless otherwise determined by the Board of Examiners. Failure to pass these units may result in exclusion from the course.

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Apply analysis and evaluation of the scope of nursing practice to develop innovative approaches to solving complex and ill-structured problems.
2. Critically analyse and apply research findings to contemporary nursing practice.
3. Demonstrate a relevant and requisite level of technological proficiency, information management, English language as well as, numeracy and literacy skills that are required.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of research paradigms, principles, methods and application to improving health outcomes through the implementation and evaluation of a practice based project.
5. Demonstrate mastery of knowledge and skills within nursing practice as well as within differing health care contexts and frameworks of professional practice and evaluate contemporary issues in health care.
6. Demonstrate responsibility and accountability within broad parameters for determining and achieving ongoing professional development of self and others.
7. Evaluate progress towards expected individual/group health outcomes in consultation with individuals/groups, significant others and interdisciplinary health care team.
8. Identify sustainability issues and principles within environmental, socio-cultural and economic contexts that are applicable to nursing practice and health care systems.
9. Incorporate cultural safety and competence within all aspects of professional practice when working collaboratively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and vulnerable populations.
10. Interpret national and global perspectives in health care within the context of Australian health care.
11. Synthesise and apply knowledge of the legal and ethical principles of contemporary health care and apply complex concepts to range of nursing practice settings.

Professional Recognition

Course

This course has been Accredited by: Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC).

Registration

Students will need to graduate to be eligible to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. Registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia is required to practice in the profession.

Graduates will be eligible to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) as Registered Nurses.

Admission requirements

Admission requirement (Band 6)

• Bachelor degree; or
• Equivalent prior learning including at least five years relevant professional experience.

English Language requirement (Band 5)

In addition to satisfying ECU minimum English standard requirements for this course, all applicants must also demonstrate English language proficiency as specified in the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia’s (NMBA) English language skills registration standard. (https://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Registration-Standards/English-language-skills.aspx)

These requirements are as follows:

• IELTS Academic with a minimum overall score of 7.0 and a minimum score of 7.0 in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking), or
• Occupational English Test (OET) with a minimum score of B in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking), or
• Pearson English Test (PTE) Academic with a minimum overall score of 65 and a minimum score of 65 in each of the four communicative skills (listening, reading, writing and speaking), or
• TOEFL iBT with a minimum total score of 94 and the following minimum score in each section of the test:
  • 24 for listening
  • 24 for reading,
  • 27 for writing, and
  • 23 for speaking, or

• Completion of at least six years of primary and secondary education taught and assessed solely in English in a recognised country as defined by the NMBA (including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12) with a supporting written declaration to confirm that your primary language is English, or
• Completion of at least 5 years full-time equivalent continuous combined secondary and/or tertiary and/or vocational education taught and assessed in a recognised country as defined by the NMBA (within the last 7 years), with a supporting written declaration to confirm whether your primary language is English.  Note: The 5 years does not include the proposed ECU study. 

Note:  English tests must be completed within 2 years of the proposed course commencement date and additional requirements may apply in relation to acceptable number of test sittings and combined scores across test sittings.

ECU’s minimum English standard requirements for this course may be satisfied with one of the following:

• Bachelor degree from an approved country;
• Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at postgraduate level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent); or
• Where accepted, equivalent prior learning, including at least five years relevant professional experience.

Course Specific Admission Requirements

All applicants are required to have a bachelor's degree or master's degree in any field with a course weighted average mark of at least 60%, or equivalent as recognised by the University. Applicants are also required to have a tertiary level unit in human biology (students who do not meet this requirement will be required to undertake a Health Science Preparation program at ECU). Prospective applicants are required to submit a curriculum vitae and a personal statement as part of their application. Meeting the above requirements does not guarantee selection and in ranking applications prior academic performance and work experience may be considered.

Reporting Obligations

ECU has an obligation to report details of all students enrolled in this course to Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). In fulfillment of the University's reporting obligation to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), names of students undertaking this course will be provided to AHPRA and the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia for the purposes of student registration, for further information please see the AHPRA web site http://www.ahpra.gov.au/

Course Duration

• Full Time: 2 Years
• Part Time: 4 Years

Course Delivery

• Joondalup: Full Time, Part Time

Course Coordinator

Dr Amanda Jane BARNARD

Course Structure

# Designated Unit - a Unit or Unit of Competency which a School has designated as a fundamental course requirement and may only be attempted once unless otherwise determined by Board of Examiners.