Flinders University
Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing
- Delivery: Online
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 12 months
Empower practitioners to analyze and implement evidence-based practices in mental health nursing.
Course overview
The Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing is designed to enhance capabilities to navigate the complex mental health systems, advocate for self-determination and promote wellbeing practices. It focuses on the development of clinical leadership, promotion and integration of evidence-based practice to foster the development of graduates consistent with the profile of the nurse specialist, offering the mental health nurse further clinical skills and an opportunity to extend career options. This ensures you are prepared for mental health nursing practice and can research and critique your practice, its part in the provision of care and the effect of the healthcare system on practice.
CSP Subsidised Fees Available
This program has a limited quota of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). The indicative CSP price is calculated based on first year fees for EFT. The actual fee may vary if there are choices in electives or majors.
Key facts
What you will study
You must complete 36 units. Each topic is valued at four and a half units.
Core
- Acute Mental Health Nursing Theory
- Acute Mental Health Nursing Practice (WIL)
- Leadership in Health Studies
- Counselling in Mental Health Nursing
- Counselling in Mental Health Nursing Practice (WIL)
- Quality and Safety in Health Care
Option
Select 4.5 units from the following:
- Enhancing the Learner Experience: Education Approaches and Strategies
- Advanced Thinking, Communicating and Problem Solving for Health Professionals
- First Nations Health and Well-Being
- Introduction to Epidemiological Research Methods
Option
Select 4.5 units from the following: See note 2
- Leading Evidence-based Practice & Knowledge Translation in Health
- Clinical Research Methods
Entry requirements
Admission requirements
- Applicants must have completed a Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification from an approved tertiary institution.
- Must be currently registered to practice with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency as a Registered Nurse.
However, the Dean (Education) may admit others who can show evidence of fitness for candidature under certain circumstances and subject to specific conditions.
Outcomes
Learning outcomes
On completion of the course, you will be able to:
- Consolidate and synthesise advanced practice knowledge, skills and competencies that enhance the capacity to provide holistic nursing care for people who experience symptoms of mental illness.
- Apply an evidence-based approach to clinical leadership in mental health.
- Analyse the range of interventions and modalities of care and the impact of these interventions for at least one vulnerable group within the acute or community healthcare settings.
- Critique a range of social, political and economic issues on the broader health care system that affect the health of specific populations and their access to mental health care
- Analyse how policy development and mental health care delivery strategies influence access to health care and intersectoral collaboration.
Career outcomes
Potential occupations include
- Case Coordinator
- Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Health Promotion Nurse
- Community Health Nurse
- Mental Health Nurse
- Nurse Research Assistant
- Registered Nurse and Rehabilitation Consultant.
Fees and CSP
Annual indicative fees in 2025: $4,624 (Commonwealth Supported Place)
Indicative yearly fee in 2025: $25,704 (Domestic full-fee paying place)
The indicative annual fee is based on a full-time study load of 18 units.
A student’s annual fee may vary by:
- The number of topics studied per term.
- The choice of major or specialisation.
- Choice of topics.
- Credit from previous study or work experience.
- Eligibility for government-funded loans.
Student fees shown are subject to change.
Commonwealth Supported Places
The Australian Government allocates a certain number of CSPs to the universities each year, which are then distributed to students based on merit.
If you're a Commonwealth Supported Student (CSS), you only need to pay some of your tuition fees. The student contribution amount is the balance once the government subsidy is applied. This means your costs are much lower.
Limited CSP spaces are offered to students enrolled in selected postgraduate courses.
Your student contribution amount is:
- Calculated per the topics you're enrolled in.
- Depending on the study areas they relate to.
- Reviewed and adjusted each year.
HECS-HELP loans are available to CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.
