Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing

RMIT University

Australia, Melbourne

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RMIT University

Australia , Melbourne

Key Facts

Program Level

Graduate Diploma

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Course Code

073315K

Application Fee

AUD 100

Campuses

Bundoora

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake DeadlinesFebruary-2024

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 1 year(s)

Tuition Fee

AUD 32,640 / total

Next Intake February-2024

Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing

About

Overview

Graduate with a qualification in a vital nursing specialisation.

Mental Health Nurses are specialist registered nurses with key responsibilities to assess, plan and provide care for people who are often vulnerable and in crisis. Advance your nursing career with the Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing, which would enhance your ability to deliver recovery focused care in a variety of mental health settings.

Professionally recognised

This diploma is a core requirement that can be used in your application to be credentialed by the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses, which will allow you to practice as a recognised Mental Health Nurse. Upon graduation, you will be able to access a Graduate Diploma allowance under the Victorian Public Mental Health Nurses award and seek promotional positions that require this qualification.

Learn from the best

RMIT University is at the forefront of nursing education and research. We are one of the longest running, and oldest providers of nursing education in Australia, with a history of industry partnership and strong graduate employability for over 40 years. The Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing is delivered by experienced mental health nurses with strong industry connections.

Shape what’s next for your career in health

Are you ready for a future in health? Seize your opportunities for career progression with a certificate, diploma or degree at RMIT.

Transcript

Health and wellbeing are our greatest assets, and careers in medicine can be diverse and rewarding.

The sector is seeing increased demand for registered nurses, allied health professionals and counsellors, as well as child carers, chiropractors and osteopaths.

Technology has also made digital and remote health a mainstay.

RMIT’s health programs support students to learn in purpose-built labs and clinics, with industry leaders.

And as the only university in Victoria with a Chinese medicine program, RMIT supports a World Health Organization program that integrates traditional medical practice into public healthcare around the globe.

Are you ready for a future in health?

Discover more at rmit.edu.au.

Back to video

Are you ready for a future in health?

Discover a rewarding career and seize your opportunities for professional development with a qualification from RMIT.

Skills for the future

This graduate diploma is available on campus or on line to support nurses working in industry. This diploma is designed to provide you with up-to-date knowledge and practical experience. Because it's developed with current industry practitioners it will also give you the skills to extend your work-ready abilities and professional experience.

Relevant and industry-based

RMIT’s focus on industry-based, practical learning is realised in the design and outcomes of our Graduate Diploma of Mental Health Nursing.

It has been developed in close consultation with industry and is based on the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses (ACMHN) Credentialing Guidelines.

Teaching staff are experienced practitioners with strong industry connections. Learning activities and subjects are constantly updated to ensure your studies are linked to contemporary and evolving vocational practice.

Your career in mental health nursing

With almost half of Australians estimated to be living with a mental illness at some point in their lives, mental health nurses perform an essential role in a wide range of hospital and community settings.

I was particularly interested in RMIT’s Graduate Diploma of Mental Health Nursing as the course had a strong focus on psychotherapeutic interventions. I’ve really enjoyed the opportunity to learn in a specialised field. I felt relaxed and supported throughout the course, because our educators were very understanding of our needs.

Susan Hua, Graduate Diploma of Mental Health Nursing

The knowledge and skills you will acquire throughout this degree and how they can be applied in your career are described in the learning outcomes.

View the learning outcomes for each stream:

Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing - GD158 - Bundoora campus
Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing - GD158DE - Distance Education

The knowledge and skills you will acquire throughout this degree and how they can be applied in your career are described in the learning outcomes.

Electives and course plan

The Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing is for registered nurses who have experience in mental health and want to seek promotional pathways through specialisation.

You will be a registered nurse with at least 840 hours (approximately six months) experience working in mental health clinical practice, or currently completing a graduate year in mental health nursing.

This graduate diploma will give you an understanding of applying diagnostic and therapeutic techniques in your clinical practice, as well the broader professional and social context of mental health nursing. You will also develop research skills and the ability to be reflective of your practice.

You will choose an area of specialisation with an elective subject. A work-integrated learning subject will further develop your skills caring for clients in a variety of clinical settings with interaction and feedback from industry.

In this diploma, you will complete seven core subjects and one elective subject.

Core subjects

Foundations of Mental Health Nursing Partnerships (Semester 1)
Context of Mental Health Nursing (Semester 1)
Therapeutic Initiatives in Mental Health (Semester 1)
Dual Diagnosis and Community Work (Semester 1)
Mental Health Nursing Clinical Portfolio (Semester 2)
Assessment Analysis in Mental Health Nursing (Semester 2)
Health Inquiry Critique (Semester 2)

Elective subjects

Foundations of Narrative Counselling
Leadership and Management
Loss, Trauma and Grief
Parent-Infant Mental Health

Requirements

Entry Requirements

An Australian bachelor degree in Nursing, or equivalent. OR · An Australian bachelor degree in Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing, or equivalent.

AND

Current registration or be eligible for registration as a Registered Nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.

AND

840 hours of supervised clinical practice already completed in the field of mental health nursing OR you are completing this as part of a graduate year program in mental health nursing or supervised practice during the candidature.

International qualifications are assessed for comparability to Australian qualifications according to the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.

Selection tasks

A selection task is not required for entry into this qualification.

Career

Nursing, including mental health nursing, is a large occupation with opportunities in many different locations and organisations.

Mental health nurses are the largest professional group within mental health settings.

According to the Australian Government, employment rates have increased steadily over the past ten years and are forecast to continue growing for the foreseeable future. A substantial workforce gap is projected for the mental health nursing sector to 2030.

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare estimates that around $8.5 billion per annum is spent on mental health-related services in Australia.

You may work in across metropolitan and rural areas for public and private organisations, or go on to contribute to mental health policy and research.

Job Outlook projects that work opportunities for registered nurses are set to increase by 11.7% to 2024. Job Outlook also estimates that the most common annual salary for a mental health nurse in Australia is between $90,000 and $100,000, and for a nurse manager is between $120,000 and $140,000. In certain jurisdictions, you receive a certificate allowance through your employer if you possess a postgraduate degree in mental health nursing.

Fee Information

Tuition Fee

AUD 32,640

Application Fee

AUD 100

How to Apply

Follow this step-by-step guide on how to apply to RMIT as an international student.

Step 1. Find a course

Step 2. Check the entry requirements

Step 3. Collect required documents

Step 4. Submit your application

RMIT is one of Australia’s leading universities, located in the heart of Melbourne.

It’s a great place to study, and there are courses to suit everyone.

Our website lists all of the courses on offer so you can discover options in your field of interest.

When you find a course, check that you meet the entry requirements. If you don’t qualify for that course, explore RMIT’s pathway programs. They can help you get on the path to the qualification you want.

Once you’ve chosen your course, it’s time to apply! Get all your documents together,

including your academic records and passport, and proof of English proficiency. If you don’t have everything you need now, you can still apply and submit them later.

To submit your application online, visit our website and find your course. Click the apply button and follow the prompts.

Our admissions team will assess your application and if you are successful, will send you a letter of offer. The time frame for this varies based on the course you apply for and the selection process, so it might not happen the very next day.

What’s next? Once you accept the offer and pay your deposit, we will send you a confirmation of enrolment. You can use this document as part of your visa application.

If you need advice, contact the friendly staff at Study@RMIT. We have lots of information that will help you plan your move to Melbourne and start life as an international student at RMIT.

We look forward to seeing you in Melbourne!