CHILD AND FAMILY HEALTH Course outline

1 Child and Family Health course outline

Course dates 1) 11 Feb to 29 Nov 2013 2) 15 Jul 2013 to 27 Jun 2014

Award Graduate Certificate in Child and Family Health Nursing Length This course is conducted part- time over two semesters and consists of four subjects (150 hours each). Admission All applicants are required to: 1. hold a Bachelor of Nursing or registered nurse equivalent qualification 2. be currently registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) 3. have a minimum of one year postgraduate experience 4. be currently employed in an appropriate clinical setting. This course offers both NSW Health-funded (subject to funding) and privatelyfunded student positions. This course is currently accredited by TEQSA and is currently undergoing Renewal of Accreditation by TEQSA and may be subject to change with short notice. Course structure The course is conducted by distance education (DE). It includes self-directed study and online activities. Students complete four subjects by DE. Students will receive course materials to support their learning. It is recommended that students study for approximately 1215 hours a week. The amount of time will be determined by individual learning needs. Students are supported by the course co-ordinator and subject tutors with whom they are encouraged to maintain regular contact. Networking between students is encouraged through the use of the online classroom. Professional experience placement (clinical placement) A compulsory Professional Experience Placement (Clinical Placement) of 90 hours is a requirement of this course. Students will be required to liaise with their subject tutor to identify their learning goals and strategies in order to individualise this clinical component to meet their learning needs. Prior to clinical placement commencing students will be required to: Undertake a National Criminal Record Check (CRC). Show proof of vaccination and immunisations relevant to the state or territory where the clinical placement is being undertaken. Satisfy and comply with any other requirements (Student declarations, Code of conduct, Working with children check etc.) needed by individual health facilities and relevant to the state or territory governments 1

Course code 1) 10 006 1327 2) 10 006 1328

Applications close 10 006 1327 Fee Paying Applicants - 4 Jan 2013 10 006 1328 Fee Paying Applicants - 7 Jun 2013

Child and Family Health course outline

facilities where the clinical placement is being undertaken. All clinical placements must be organised by ACN.

The student is responsible for any fees and costs associated with meeting the mandatory requirements outlined above. Students who require more information about this should contact clinicalplacement@nursing.edu.au. Course outline The Graduate Certificate in child and family health nursing aims to provide nurses with a sound understanding of child and family health nursing within a legal, moral and ethical framework that reflects current models of care and government policy and practice initiatives. The course is designed to engage students in the planning and evaluation of their own clinical and educational needs in an environment conducive to their learning and development to prepare them for work in this specialty nursing field. Contemporary CFHN practice is influenced by a global paradigm shift in CFHN knowledge, practice and theory. Research into infant mental health and brain development, the influences of the family, relationships and environment on the developing child and the importance of the early years of a childs life have all led to changes in the world view of child health and wellbeing. Assessing and facilitating child and family health and wellbeing within a culturally diverse Australian society requires an appreciation of the bio- psychosocial, cultural and emotional needs of the family, and the promotion of a nurturing and supportive environment in which children can thrive. Nurses working, or intending to work, in the specialty of Child and family health nursing (CFHN) require an in-depth understanding of primary health care and health promotion, family dynamics, structure and function, and consideration of the connections between the family, their community and health care providers. Health and developmental surveillance of infants and young children continues to be a major focus of contemporary CFHN services, but the expert model of the past has been replaced by a family partnership model that focuses on the provision of psychosocial support and for new parents as well as continuing to be a central point of access for families into community health services. Employment opportunities Employment opportunities for Graduates of this course include primary health care services in early childhood health centres, community health centres and family care centres, secondary level services in community health centres, family care centres, sustained home visiting programs or lactation clinics and tertiary level services in residential family care units. Clinical component See Professional Experience Placement (Clinical Placement), above. Course goals Learning outcomes This course is designed to develop specific learning outcomes. Students will:

Child and Family Health course outline 2

Demonstrate the knowledge, skills and attitudes required to practice in the specialty of child and family health nursing that is benchmarked against professional child and family health nursing practice standards Develop an understanding of best practice models, policies and standards to provide contemporary, evidence-based practice within child and family health nursing service delivery Analyse and apply the principles of primary health care, health promotion and relationship-based nursing practice to facilitate optimal health and development of infants, young children and families Identify the key elements required to foster effective therapeutic relationships with infants, young children, families and communities within the professional boundaries of ethical nursing practice and health care responsibilities Discuss the importance of the role of the child and family health nurse, working in a strengths-based partnership model, in the promotion of healthy family functioning and child-parent attachment Demonstrate an awareness of, and sensitivity towards social, cultural, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, environmental and political factors that influence the practice of child and family health nursing Critically examine and apply current research to develop reflective, problem-solving and critical thinking skills in the context of contemporary child and family health nursing practice

Student performance This course is designed to provide graduates with the skills to be lifelong learners and thus able to extend their professional and ethical understanding and knowledge through critical analysis and reflection on practice within the contemporary child and family health environment. Graduates of this course will: Analyse, evaluate and develop ethical nursing practice in the context of specialist child and family health nursing Extend clinical and leadership skills through research and reflection to facilitate life-long learning in the context of caring for infants, young children and their families Apply professional knowledge, skills and attitudes to contribute to the community of child and family health

Subject outlines

Core subjects: Family and child health (Subject Code: 040) Infant, child nutrition and feeding (Subject Code: 201) Child development in the family context (Subject Code: 018) Clinical practice in child and family health nursing (Subject Code: 905)

Child and Family Health course outline 3

Child and Family Health course outline 4