Graduate Certificate in Child and Family Health Nursing
Graduate Certificate in Child and Family Health Nursing
Contemporary child and family health nursing practice in Australia has been influenced by a global shift into early childhood knowledge, practice and theory. Research into fields such as epigenetics and early brain development, along with the influences of significant relationships and the quality of the child’s environment, have all led…
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COURSE DESCRIPTION
Contemporary child and family health nursing practice in Australia has been influenced by a global shift into early childhood knowledge, practice and theory. Research into fields such as epigenetics and early brain development, along with the influences of significant relationships and the quality of the child’s environment, have all led to significant changes in the world view of child health and wellbeing. Child and family health nurses require an appreciation of the bio-psychosocial, cultural and emotional needs of the family to promote a nurturing and supportive environment in which children can thrive and grow.
Studying child and family health nursing with ACN will provide you with the opportunity to improve your knowledge and skills for the provision and coordination of evidenced based care in the field of child and family health. The aim is to encourage professional and ethical understanding of clinical practice development for the improvement of patient outcomes.
Course overview
The Graduate Certificate in Child and Family Health Nursing aims to provide students with a sound understanding of child and family health nursing practice within a legal, moral and ethical framework that reflects current models of care, government policy, and practice initiatives. Nurses working, or intending to work, in the specialty of child and family health require a clear understanding of primary health care, health promotion, parent-infant attachment, and the social determinants of health. Students will explore family dynamics and the importance of connections between the child, family, and community.
The quality of early relationships and the environment in which a child is raised significantly affects their mental health and well-being. Using a strengths-based, family partnership approach, child and family health nurses provide psychosocial and practical support and guidance to new parents while building capacity in their parenting skills.
Health and developmental screening and surveillance of infants and young children are significant components of child and family health nursing practice. The course focuses on feeding and nutrition, safety and well-being, and growth and development in the early years from birth to age 5. The role of the child and family health nurse as a central point of access to multidisciplinary community health services will be discussed, and students will undertake 80 hours of clinical placement to consolidate their theoretical learning and apply it to practice.
Working in child and family health practice requires specialist skills and knowledge to meet the increasingly complex health care needs of children and families in the community. The Graduate Certificate in Child and Family Health Nursing responds to industry requirements by preparing students for practice, developing their educational needs, and fostering the professional skills and attributes they require to optimise health outcomes for the child and family.
Career outcomes
A Graduate Certificate in Child and Family Health Nursing is an investment in your future and will provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to ensure better outcomes for your patients and progress your career, leading to opportunities in clinical education, management and specialist nursing roles.
Learning Outcomes
This course is designed to develop specific learning outcomes. Students will:
- demonstrate the knowledge, skills and attributes required of the child & family health nurse in their speciality context, benchmarked against current research, policy guidelines and practice standards
- examine the principles of primary health care, health promotion and the social determinants of health to support optimal health outcomes for young children and their families.
REQUIREMENTS
Admission to GC courses is based on academic merit and selection. In addition, applicants must satisfy any prerequisites or additional requirements specified for particular courses, including ACN’s general eligibility criteria.
All applicants seeking admission are required to:
hold a Bachelor of Nursing or registered nurse equivalent qualification
hold current registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA); or the equivalent registering authority in your country of origin
meet the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia English language skills registration standard (nursing and midwifery) – please refer to the AHPRA website to download the standard
have a minimum of one year of postgraduate experience; and
be currently employed in the clinical area of specialisation
For some GC units of study, consideration may be given for applicants who are not registered nurses on an individual basis.
The below courses contain a compulsory clinical placement component and do not require applicants to be employed in the clinical area of specialisation:
Graduate Certificate in Child and Family Health
Graduate Certificate in Stomal Therapy Nursing
Graduate Certificate in Dermatology Nursing
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION
Australian College of Nursing (ACN) is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) approved to deliver nationally accredited training with the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA). Areas of study covered at ACN are aged care, acute care, critical care, dermatology & cosmetics, diabetes, immunisation, mental health, leadership & management, and more. These study options prepare students for a rewarding career in the health and community services sector.
