advertorial
Foster skills
to cope to
reconnect
with hope
ACU graduate Jillian LeGros
A
ustralian Catholic University’s
suite of mental health programs
has a stream designed especially
for nurses. You’ll develop specialist
knowledge and skills for clinical practice
in a wide range of mental health service
settings – including acute, older persons’,
child and adolescent, and community
mental healthcare. Our mental health
programs focus on recovery-oriented
practice, which is a radical shift from
pre-existing models of care, and is in line
with contemporary global approaches
to working with individuals experiencing
mental ill health.
Our programs are offered online,
and with flexible learning. Some units
include intensive workshops conducted
via videoconference. Practical work
experience is a core component of the
program, and students in the graduate
certificate need to be working in a mental
health service while completing one of the
first semester units. Students will provide
holistic recovery-oriented care, and learn
to collaborate between the entire care
team – from the individual and their family,
to the community.
ACU’s graduate diploma and Master
of Mental Health (Nursing) are accredited
under the Australian College of Mental
Health Nurses ACMHN National
Framework for Postgraduate Mental
Health Nursing Education. They meet
the requirements of a postgraduate
qualification for employment beyond entry
level in mental health settings and for
credentialing as a mental health nurse.
SPOTLIGHT ON A STUDY UNIT:
FAMILY INCLUSIVE RECOVERY-BASED
PRACTICE IN MENTAL HEALTH
In this unit, new for 2018, you will look at
the conceptual and practice implications
of supporting and upholding the social
context within which recovery occurs. You’ll
explores the relational elements of recovery
and the roles that close social relationships
often play in the recovery journey.
The unit compares individualist and
collectivist approaches to recovery
and wellbeing, and examines the
impact of mental illness on close social
network members. You will also explore
contemporary perspectives on the role
of families and close social network
in mental health practice and family
inclusive processes.
The Family Inclusive Recovery based
Practice Model (FIRM) will be examined
in depth and there is significant
emphasis placed on the development
of core practice skills relevant to FIRM,
including individual and family wellbeing
assessment processes.
JILLIAN LEGROS
GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN MENTAL HEALTH (NURSING)
“ACU provided me with the flexibility of studying online while working full-
time and balancing valuable time with my family. The lecturers were patient,
responsive, generous with their time and respectful of the exchange of knowledge
and experience.
“The Graduate Diploma in Mental Health (Nursing) gave me the opportunity
to challenge myself; to appreciate the value of lifelong learning; to share the
learning journey with like-minded students; and opened my eyes to growth
and opportunities.
“The course also gave me a richer appreciation of the values and pride that
mental health nurses share.”
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