Admission and Unit Information - Master of Nursing

This unit enables students to gain an understanding of the political and social constructions that underpin health care services. It also provides students with the opportunity to explore and critically analyse issues related to the development, implementation and outcomes of health and aged care policies.

We are all confronted with the challenge of leadership, regardless of nursing speciality, role or status. Encompassed within leadership is knowledge of self, relevant theories, skills and political awareness which are developed through higher education. By developing leadership skills and knowledge we can influence better outcomes for our patients/clients and create more positive working environments. In the unit, Leadership in Clinical Practice, nursing leadership arising from expert clinical practice is explored as a general notion rather than as one arising from within any particular clinical speciality. Content includes theories, concepts and styles of leadership, the development of leadership potential, motivation, coaching, and mentorship, concepts of power, authority and empowerment and discussion of contemporary leadership issues. Assignments provide students with the opportunity to apply new knowledge about leadership to their practice, whether they be in management, education or clinical roles.

This unit addresses the origins and development of nursing knowledge. A major focus is the development and progress of the discipline of nursing. It includes an in-depth exploration of the history and philosophy of nursing science, including epistemology and strategies for theory generation in nursing. The impact of borrowed perspectives on research, theory and practice in the discipline of nursing is also explored. The unit also addresses the development of theoretical perspectives in nursing, including areas of controversy in the discipline. Numerous perspectives on the relationship between nursing theory, research and practice are considered. A major emphasis in the unit is development of knowledge and understanding of the link between nursing theory, research, practice and related issues.

This unit is designed to develop students' knowledge of the principles and processes necessary for evidence-based clinical practice. General concepts associated with evidence-based nursing are explored. In addition students are assisted to formulate focussed clinical questions and conduct a comprehensive literature search for research evidence that may assist in answering such questions. Issues and techniques involved in the rigorous appraisal of research reports are addressed. The importance of clinical significance and individual patient preferences when making clinical judgments about the implementation of research findings are also explored.

The challenge for nursing in terms of health promotion is to acknowledge the complex interrelatedness between a person's social and economic situation, their sense of power and control over their life and their physical, emotional and spiritual well-being, i.e. To understand that health is determined by the totality of a person’s life circumstances and their inherent traits. This unit uses a social health perspective to examine evidence-based health promotion strategies that can be implemented in the context of nursing practice.

The transformation of nursing practice is facilitated when information about creative and innovative practice change and development is documented, disseminated and critiqued through professional channels such as peer reviewed journals, conference papers, discussion papers or project reports. In this Unit students will be provided with an opportunity to produce a scholarly piece of work that will disseminate information about innovative and creative solutions for transforming practice and improving patient care. Each student will select a topic of interest and examine an issue or aspect of practice to present a comprehensive and scholarly paper as a report, discussion paper, manuscript for publication or conference paper for presentation in which professional practice implications and recommendations are articulated. The Unit aims to enhance scholarly communication skills, provide a vehicle for demonstrating leadership by informing the profession of innovative and creative solutions for transforming practice

We are all confronted with the challenge of leadership, regardless of nursing speciality, role or status. Encompassed within leadership is knowledge of self, relevant theories, skills and political awareness which are developed through higher education. By developing leadership skills and knowledge we can influence better outcomes for our patients/clients and create more positive working environments. In the unit, Leadership in Clinical Practice, nursing leadership arising from expert clinical practice is explored as a general notion rather than as one arising from within any particular clinical speciality. Content includes theories, concepts and styles of leadership, the development of leadership potential, motivation, coaching, and mentorship, concepts of power, authority and empowerment and discussion of contemporary leadership issues. Assignments provide students with the opportunity to apply new knowledge about leadership to their practice, whether they be in management, education or clinical roles.

The challenge for nursing in terms of health promotion is to acknowledge the complex interrelatedness between a person's social and economic situation, their sense of power and control over their life and their physical, emotional and spiritual well-being, i.e. To understand that health is determined by the totality of a person’s life circumstances and their inherent traits. This unit uses a social health perspective to examine evidence-based health promotion strategies that can be implemented in the context of nursing practice.

This unit is designed to develop students' knowledge of the principles and processes necessary for evidence-based clinical practice. General concepts associated with evidence-based nursing are explored. In addition students are assisted to formulate focussed clinical questions and conduct a comprehensive literature search for research evidence that may assist in answering such questions. Issues and techniques involved in the rigorous appraisal of research reports are addressed. The importance of clinical significance and individual patient preferences when making clinical judgments about the implementation of research findings are also explored.

This unit enables students to gain an understanding of the political and social constructions that underpin health care services. It also provides students with the opportunity to explore and critically analyse issues related to the development, implementation and outcomes of health and aged care policies.

This unit addresses the origins and development of nursing knowledge. A major focus is the development and progress of the discipline of nursing. It includes an in-depth exploration of the history and philosophy of nursing science, including epistemology and strategies for theory generation in nursing. The impact of borrowed perspectives on research, theory and practice in the discipline of nursing is also explored. The unit also addresses the development of theoretical perspectives in nursing, including areas of controversy in the discipline. Numerous perspectives on the relationship between nursing theory, research and practice are considered. A major emphasis in the unit is development of knowledge and understanding of the link between nursing theory, research, practice and related issues.

The transformation of nursing practice is facilitated when information about creative and innovative practice change and development is documented, disseminated and critiqued through professional channels such as peer reviewed journals, conference papers, discussion papers or project reports. In this Unit students will be provided with an opportunity to produce a scholarly piece of work that will disseminate information about innovative and creative solutions for transforming practice and improving patient care. Each student will select a topic of interest and examine an issue or aspect of practice to present a comprehensive and scholarly paper as a report, discussion paper, manuscript for publication or conference paper for presentation in which professional practice implications and recommendations are articulated. The Unit aims to enhance scholarly communication skills, provide a vehicle for demonstrating leadership by informing the profession of innovative and creative solutions for transforming practice