The course aims to equip registered nurses with current evidence based knowledge and skills for application to medical and/or surgical patiently care contexts. The course aims to challenge nurses to think critically and creatively about patient care and the clinical contribution that nursing can make to positive patient outcomes.
The programme aims to:
- enhance nursing practice through the application of well-assimilated knowledge and clinical skills
- act as a means of professional support, educator and role model for the provision of life long learning to ensure ongoing professional development
- exercise accountability within the clinical and professional boundaries of the role of nursing
- contribute as a learned member of the multidisciplinary team in the delivery of quality healthcare for individuals and families across a variety of contexts.
- Critically examine contemporary social, cultural and policy contexts of medical-surgical nursing.
Course Practicalities
All postgraduate programmes contain some element of blended learning. This means that modules are delivered on campus with face-to-face contact with lectures (teaching and learning strategies include lectures, workshops, seminars and tutorials) in combination with some online content delivery using our virtual learning environment Blackboard (teaching and learning strategies include module study guides, discussion boards, audio/visual resources and online assessments/activities).
Prior to commencing the course each student taking a blended module will be provided with an orientation to Blackboard and training on how to use the online technology within the course. IT support will be given to students throughout the duration of the course.
For nurses who wish to study over a "short" period of time e.g. just one semester (September-December), they can register for the PG Certificate in Medical-Surgical Nursing programme. Previous students who successfully completed the PG Certificate programme took a year's break from studying and then returned the following academic year to join the next cohort of students in semester two in order to complete the PG Diploma in Nursing – Medical-Surgical pathway. Students who successfully complete the Postgraduate Diploma now have the choice to proceed directly into the Master's programme.