Southern Cross University
24 months part-time
Specialise in mental health nursing with this accredited online master's degree designed for registered nurses. Develop advanced clinical expertise, evidence-based practice skills, and leadership capabilities to deliver holistic mental health care across diverse healthcare settings.
Applicants must be a Registered Nurse (Division 1) with access to mental health nurse practice or mental health nurse practitioners during the course of study. English language proficiency is required. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Advanced Standing options are available for those with relevant professional experience or previous academic qualifications, potentially reducing course duration.
The program comprises 11 core units and 1 elective unit covering: Contemporary Mental Health exploring critical contexts within the Australian healthcare system; Mental Health Across the Lifespan addressing bio-psycho-social contexts for different age groups; Mental Health in Community, Non-Government and Primary Health Settings examining varied professional roles; Acute Mental Health focusing on complex presentations and co-morbidity; Leading Evidence-based Practice in Health introducing evidence-based approaches; Physical Healthcare in Mental Health ensuring holistic assessment; Supporting Behaviour Change in Mental Health Contexts developing psychological approaches; Building a Professional Portfolio reflecting on professional practice; Applied Leadership in Mental Health Clinical Practice emphasising knowledge translation; Developing Skills in Contemporary Psychotherapies covering evidence-based talk-based interventions; and Critical Review in Health broadening research and literature analysis skills. Electives include healthcare leadership, change management, governance, social-emotional competence, teaching and supervision, and various business and management topics.
Southern Cross University is ranked #3 in Australia for teaching quality and overall educational experience, and is among the top 100 young universities globally. As a pioneer in online education since 2015, SCU Online provides an exceptional learning experience through innovative platforms and unique seven-week study units. The university is committed to lifelong learning and equal access to education, offering comprehensive academic and non-academic support from enrolment through graduation, including access to campus facilities, learning coaches, and dedicated student success advisors.
Graduates can pursue diverse career paths in mental health nursing including Mental Health Nurse (typical salary $95,000), Mental Health Support Worker ($73,000), Nurse Unit Manager ($128,000), Clinical Nurse ($105,000), Registered Nurse ($85,000), and Nurse Consultant ($115,000). The qualification is accredited by the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses (ACMHN) and serves as a pathway to becoming a credentialed mental health nurse. Specialised mental health nurses are employed across Medicare-subsidised services, specialised mental health care settings, support services, and community health organisations at all levels of service delivery.
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