Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Nursing

Course summary

Want to increase your specialist knowledge and employment outcomes in mental health?

This course responds to contemporary mental health research and policy and has been designed with the input of leading clinical and academic mental health professionals. Core units include contemporary mental health theory and practice.

For nursing graduates, this is a useful foundational qualification in mental health nursing, enabling a pathway to further studies in this field for credentialing as a Mental Health Nurse.

Major areas of study

This course includes a choice from the following units:

• Contemporary Mental Health
• Mental Health Across the Lifespan
• Mental Health in Community, Non-Government and Primary Health Settings
• Acute Mental Health
• Supporting Behaviour Change in Mental Health Contexts
• Physical Health Care in Mental Health.

Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes.

Assessment methods

Assessments in this course include written essays, shorter critical reflections and developing holistic consumer-focused care plans based on evidence based practice. Weekly activities, readings and case studies are laid out with step-by-step instructions that are specifically designed to support you toward the successful completion of the assessment tasks. 

Teaching methods

The course is completely online and offers flexibility for you to fit your study within other life commitments. Each student brings with them valuable knowledge and experience. The online platform and course design encourages you to read or view learning materials and then collaborate, discuss and debate ideas with fellow students and lecturers. Our multi-modal approach delivers content including video, audio and written materials designed to extend your mental health nursing practice capabilities.

Career opportunities

For nursing graduates this may be a useful foundational qualification in mental health nursing. Graduates may wish to then further their studies by undertaking the Graduate Diploma of Mental Health Nursing or Master of Mental Health Nursing which are accredited and recognised by the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses as postgraduate qualifications for credentialing as a Mental Health Nurse.

Graduates may be eligible for up to four units of credit towards the Graduate Diploma of Mental Health Nursing or the Master of Mental Health Nursing at Southern Cross University.