Admission and Unit Information - Master of Nursing (Clinical Leadership)

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 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 examines the concept, form and structure of health care organisations. Organisational theory is explored and used to analyse a range of structures used in nursing and contemporary health care. Factors which influence organisational design, function and effectiveness are explored and discussed including: organisational behaviour, strategy, culture, power and politics, technology, sustainability and effectiveness. A major focus in the unit is planning for strategic organisational development to meet the challenges of rapid change and the need for performance improvements in patient care delivery. Concepts related to the strategic development of workforce capacity in the health care arena are considered through the application of a range of theories including the learning organisation. Leadership will be examined within the context of the unit with a particular emphasis on change management.

Increasingly clinical leaders, practitioners and health service managers are being held accountable for improving the quality and safety of patient care and for developing a culture of quality improvement within their teams. In this unit students learn about quality, patient safety and governance frameworks and strategies that they can employ within healthcare to improve system performance, patient safety and patient outcomes. The main approaches used to address quality of care and patient safety are examined and their applications critiqued. Students will explore leadership issues for developing systematic, coherent quality improvement frameworks and quality initiatives that can be applied within their own sphere of 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.

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 examines the concept, form and structure of health care organisations. Organisational theory is explored and used to analyse a range of structures used in nursing and contemporary health care. Factors which influence organisational design, function and effectiveness are explored and discussed including: organisational behaviour, strategy, culture, power and politics, technology, sustainability and effectiveness. A major focus in the unit is planning for strategic organisational development to meet the challenges of rapid change and the need for performance improvements in patient care delivery. Concepts related to the strategic development of workforce capacity in the health care arena are considered through the application of a range of theories including the learning organisation. Leadership will be examined within the context of the unit with a particular emphasis on change management.

Increasingly clinical leaders, practitioners and health service managers are being held accountable for improving the quality and safety of patient care and for developing a culture of quality improvement within their teams. In this unit students learn about quality, patient safety and governance frameworks and strategies that they can employ within healthcare to improve system performance, patient safety and patient outcomes. The main approaches used to address quality of care and patient safety are examined and their applications critiqued. Students will explore leadership issues for developing systematic, coherent quality improvement frameworks and quality initiatives that can be applied within their own sphere of practice.