Graduate Diploma in Child and Family Health Nursing
Quick facts
Student type:
Quick facts
-
Entry score
Not applicable
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Duration
Full-time 1 year, Part-time 2 years -
Location
Bundoora -
Fees
Next intake
FebruaryEntry score
Not applicable
Duration
Not applicableLocation
Not applicableFees
Not applicable
Next intake
Not applicable
Overview
This program prepares registered nurses (with qualifications as midwives) for advanced practice in community child and family health nursing.
You will develop the ability to critically analyse and apply principles of primary healthcare, to help you secure a rewarding role as a maternal and child health nurse.
In addition to child and family health specialty courses, the RMIT program includes family partnership training which is highly regarded by industry and also offers a dedicated elective in parent-infant mental health.
The face-to-face contact at RMIT develops strong clinical skills in child health and enables regular support and discussion to enhance learning.
RMIT University is at the forefront of nursing education and research. We are one of the oldest providers of nursing education in Australia with a history of industry partnership and strong graduate employability for over 40 years.
Details
This program is available on-campus but includes courses with significant online modules that can be studied from home. It also includes 300 hours of clinical placements and visits.
Courses are mostly offered in full-day attendance mode.
You will experience a range of learning approaches including learner-centred curriculum, learning activities and projects.
Your learning will be further supported by face-to-face lectures, some online learning, independent study and clinical experiences across a range of early childhood services.
The Graduate Diploma in Child and Family Health Nursing consists of 96 credit points.
The program is structured to enable you to:
- critically analyse and apply the principles of primary health care related to child and family health
- analyse and evaluate nursing strategies designed to promote and maintain wellbeing for children and their families
- apply evidence-based practice to primary care within the scope of the Maternal Child Health (MCH) service
- critically examine key ethical issues relevant to professional health care practice in community settings.
You will complete seven core courses and one elective course.
Clinical practice
To meet course requirements, you must complete a minimum of 300 hours of clinical experience in approved early childhood agencies. While most experience occurs in approved MCH centres, almost one-third of your clinical experience will include observations and visits to community agencies. These include childcare centres, early intervention services, early parenting centres, MCH Line, community day stay programs and other key services.
Choose a program structure
| Title | Location | Duration | Plan code | CRICOS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate Diploma in Child and Family Health Nursing | Bundoora Campus |
1 Year Full time
2 Years Part time
|
1 Year Full time
|
GD159 |
Choose a program structure
Program code: GD159
Career
Admissions
- An Australian bachelor degree in Nursing, or equivalent.
AND
- An Australian Graduate Diploma in Midwifery, or Bachelor of Midwifery, or equivalent.
AND
- Current registration with Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) as both a registered Nurse and Midwife.
AND
- Demonstrate recent clinical experience, defined as having worked in nursing or midwifery for a minimum of one year in the past five years.
Applicants are required to arrange a clinical place with a local Maternal Child Health (MCH) service and submit confirmation of this as part of the application process. You are encouraged to discuss this early in the application process with the program coordinator, who will also provide a specific form for this requirement.
To have industry or employment experience assessed as part of meeting the entry requirements you will need to provide a detailed CV/resume listing previous positions, dates of employment and position responsibilities; a statement from your employer confirming these details (or contact details of employer so RMIT can seek confirmation); and evidence of any relevant professional development undertaken.
International qualifications are assessed for comparability to Australian qualifications according to the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).
Entry requirements
Students who are successful in obtaining a place in the program must meet a number of Immunisation and Compliance requirements upon commencement of their studies in the program
Immunisations and vaccination requirements
- Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis (dTpa – Adult Dose). Must be this immunisation NOT ADT (Adult Diphtheria/Tetanus – does not contain the pertussis component).
- Poliomyelitis: Primary course of 3 vaccination doses.
- Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR, 2 vaccination doses AND blood test (serology report) to confirm immunity.
- Hepatitis A: Primary course of 2 vaccination doses OR serology to show immunity to Hep A Ab.
- Hepatitis B: Primary course of 3 vaccination doses AND serology to confirm anti-HBV level is greater than or equal to 10mIU/ml.
- Varicella: 2 vaccination doses OR blood test (serology report) to confirm immunity OR history of chickenpox
- Influenza Vaccination: Annual requirement.
- Tuberculin Screen: Tuberculin Skin Test OR Quantiferon TB Assay blood test (serology) to show immunity. This is an annual requirement for the duration of your study
PLEASE NOTE: A full course of immunisations can take up to 7 months to complete and students should contact their Medical Practitioner prior to entering the program to commence immunisations. It is a requirement that students will have commenced all immunisations and will continue to progress this until completion of the vaccination courses by the deadlines set by the University.
Compliance requirements
- Police Check: Students must present evidence of a successful National Police Records Check prior to undertaking the clinical components of this program (Annual requirement for the duration of your Program). National Police records check are conducted via fit2work. An account with fit2work will be created using the student’s name and the RMIT issued student email address, once studies in the program have commenced. Further information will be provided once enrolment has been completed.
- Working with Children Check (valid for 5 years): Students must hold a valid Working with Children Check prior to undertaking the clinical components of this program.
For more information or if you have any questions about these requirements please email SHBS.wil@rmit.edu.au.
Pathways
Fees
Entry for this program is primarily through Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs).
Government financial assistance is available to eligible students regardless of the type of place you enrol in.
2021 indicative fees
- Commonwealth supported places (CSP) range from AU$3,700 to AU$14,500*.
- Full-fee places: AU$23,040*.
Additional expenses
- Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$313 maximum fee for 2021.
- Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.
Annual fee adjustment
Amounts quoted are indicative fees per annum, and are based on a standard year of full-time study (96 credit points). A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load.
Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.
Defer your payment
You may be eligible to apply for a HELP loan, which can be used to defer payment of up to the full amount of your student contribution fees. You may also be eligible to apply to defer payment of your SSAF through the SA-HELP loan scheme.
For more information and to learn how to calculate your exact tuition fees see postgraduate study fees.
Payments and refunds
For information on how to pay your fees or how to apply for a refund, please see Paying your fees and applying for refunds.
If you are offered a Commonwealth supported place, your tuition fees are subsidised by the Australian Government.
Your share of the fee (student contribution) is set on an annual basis by the government and is determined by the discipline areas (bands) of your individual enrolled courses, not the overall program.
How much can I expect to pay for my Commonwealth supported place?
The Australian Government has announced amendments to university funding and student contribution fees under its Job-ready Graduates Package.
The fees in the table below apply to students commencing their program in 2021 and are subject to the passage of legislation. Fees for continuing students are available at fees for Commonwealth supported students.
Each course (subject) falls into a band. The band determines the student contribution amount for the course.
Amounts listed in the table below are based on a standard, full-time study load (96 credit points per year) with all courses in the same band. A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load or for enrolment in courses (subjects) from a combination of bands.
You can learn how to calculate your exact tuition fees for units from different bands at Fees for Commonwealth supported students.
Maximum student contribution amount for Commonwealth supported places in 2021
Student contribution band by course (subject) |
Maximum annual student contribution amount in 2021 |
Agriculture, english, languages, mathematics, nursing, postgraduate clinical psychology, teaching |
$$3,700 per standard year $462 per standard (12 credit point) course |
Architecture, creative arts, engineering, environmental studies, health, information technology, science |
$7,700 per standard year |
Dental, medical and veterinary science |
$11,300 per standard year |
Arts, commerce, communications, economics, humanities (excluding languages), law, management |
$14,500 per standard year |
How does a HELP loan work?
If your FEE-HELP, HECS-HELP and/or SA-HELP loan application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT, on your behalf, up to 100% of your fees. This amount will become part of your accumulated HELP debt.
You only start repaying your accumulated HELP debt to the Australian Government once you earn above the minimum income threshold for repayment, which is set each year by the Australian Government (this also applies if you are still studying).
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will calculate your compulsory repayment for the year and include this on your income tax notice.
For more information about loan repayment options see Commonwealth assistance (HELP loans) or Study Assist.
This program is approved for income support.
You may be eligible for student income support payments from the Commonwealth Government if you are undertaking a graduate certificate, graduate diploma or an approved professionally oriented masters by coursework program. For more information see Income support for Masters students.
If you are enrolled in an eligible program you will also need to satisfy all other student payment eligibility requirements. You can contact Centrelink or Services Australia for further information about student income support entitlements, your eligibility and how to apply.
In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student. The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2021 is $313.
You may be eligible to apply to defer payment of the SSAF through the SA-HELP loan scheme. If you use SA-HELP, the amount will be added to your accumulated HELP debt.
For more information about calculating your actual SSAF see Paying SSAF.
You may also be required to purchase other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from program to program.
The Maternal and Child Health Nursing Scholarship is available for commencing or continuing students.
RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds. Learn more about RMIT Scholarships.
Looking for answers or more general infomation?
For frequently asked questions or how to find more information regarding applications and enrolments, fees, student support services, university policies and more, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions.