Graduate Diploma of Forensic Mental Health Nursing
Course handbook
General Information
Overview
Use your current nursing qualifications to upskill into the interesting area of forensics, with a Graduate Diploma of Forensic Mental Health Nursing. You’ll learn the necessary skills for success in this area, which includes an understanding of legal and correctional systems, working effectively with challenging patients and behaviours, and factors that influence offending.
Study structure
Successful completion of the Graduate Diploma of Forensic Mental Health Nursing requires students to complete units of study to the value of 100 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated.
Full-time study: 100 credit points/eight standard units of study per year
Part-time study: 50 credit points/four standard units of study per year
One credit point is equivalent to one hour of study per week per semester (including contact hours and private study)
See the course planner for an example degree structure.
Full-time study: 100 credit points/eight standard units of study per year
One credit point is equivalent to one hour of study per week per semester (including contact hours and private study)
See the course planner for an example degree structure.
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Core units | |
|
Core Skills in Forensic Practice
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
FBS80001 |
|
Fundamentals of Criminal Law Process
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
FBS80002 |
|
Principles of Violence Risk Assessment and Management
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
FBS80003 |
|
Forensic Mental Health Nursing
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
FBS80008 |
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Core units | |
|
Mental Disorder and Offending
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
FBS80005 |
|
Forensic Mental Health Nursing Practice
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
FBS80016 |
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
|
Advanced Violence Risk Assessment and Management
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
FBS80004 |
|
Advanced Violence Risk Assessment and Management
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
FBS80004 |
|
Substance Misuse and Offending
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
FBS80007 |
|
Trauma and Offending
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
FBS80009 |
|
Development, Developmental Disability and Offending
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
FBS80015 |
|
Problem Behaviours 1
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
FBS80011 |
|
Problem Behaviours 2
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
FBS80012 |
|
Working in Corrections and Youth Justice
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
FBS80013 |
Aims and objectives
Upon successfully completing the Graduate Diploma of Forensic Mental Health Nursing, students will be able to:
- apply advanced knowledge of a broad range of theories and principles required for nursing practice in forensic mental health contexts
- apply advanced knowledge of the complex systemic and individual mental health factors that influence offending behaviour
- cognitive skills that demonstrate the ability to critically appraise and interpret the range of complex factors that contribute to offending behaviour, both at a general and individual level
- apply technical skills to identify and evaluate evidence that helps inform creative problem solving and decision making in the nursing role
- communicate complex ideas in a coherent and informative manner with clients, carers and other health professionals
- adapt advanced knowledge and skills to the contexts of forensic mental health nursing, such as correctional or mental health settings
- utilise a wide range of knowledge and skills to independently develop, plan and implement responses to challenging issues faced by forensic mental health nurses
- employ advanced knowledge of psychopathology and offending behaviour to develop and deliver more effective treatment to clients in forensic mental health settings.
Career opportunities
The Graduate Diploma of Forensic Mental Health Nursing will provide specialised training to nurses who are working in, or are seeking to work in, forensic mental health contexts. Forensic mental health nurses work in a variety of settings including secure hospitals, courts and prisons. Additional knowledge and skills are required to work in this field beyond those required of general mental health nurses.
Graduate skills
Swinburne intends that its teaching programs assist all its graduates to be:
- capable in their chosen professional, vocational or study areas
- entrepreneurial in contributing to innovation and development within their business, workplace or community
- effective and ethical in work and community situations
- adaptable and able to manage change
- aware of local and international environments in which they will be contributing (e.g. sociocultural, economic, natural).
Maximum Academic Credit
The maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Graduate Diploma of Forensic Mental Health Nursing is 50 credit points (normally four units).
Admission criteria
Information about Swinburne's general admission criteria can be found at Admissions at Swinburne - Higher Education webpage.
Interested in the Graduate Diploma of Forensic Mental Health Nursing?
From state-of-the-art facilities to opportunities to engage with industry – this course is designed with your future in mind. Let's get started.