Cyclist on Parkville Campus
Cyclist on Parkville Campus
The structure of clinical placements in the Master of Nursing Science (MNSc) is unique to the University of Melbourne. The philosophy of the course encourages a lifespan integrated approach so that theory learnt in class can be applied in clinical placements, with clinical skills developing as you progress. To further this integration, clinical placements are scheduled over the duration of the semester rather than in the traditional placement blocks.
Clinical skill development occurs in a wide variety of clinical settings. Students attend placement in settings that include public and private hospitals and specialty areas. You will stay with one hospital each semester, allowing you to become familiar with the hospital and staff with whom you will be working, and to develop confidence and to focus on skill development.
During the clinical placement, you will be supervised by a Clinical Educator and placed with a clinical buddy on each shift who will provide orientation, support, teaching and sharing of clinical expertise. You will be supernumerary to the staff on the ward and will be supported by the staff that you are working with.
You will complete a professional practice portfolio for each of the subjects incorporating clinical placement. Your portfolio demonstrates development of clinical competencies at various levels in the course. The competencies to be achieved are prescribed by the Australian Nursing Council Inc in the 'National Competencies for the Registered Nurse in Recommended Domains' (2006). The competency domains are: Professional Practice, Critical Thinking and Analysis, Provision and Coordination of Care, and Collaborative and Therapeutic Practice.
Clinical placement shifts are based on hospital rosters and are generally of eight hours' duration. Morning shifts may start as early as 7am and afternoon shifts between 1pm and 3pm. Students in the final year of study may undertake night or weekend shifts, subject to agreement between the student, University and clinical agency.
We have clinical partnerships with many metropolitan and rural clinical agencies. Clinical placements for the Master of Nursing Science are agreed on an annual basis and each student may undertake a placement at one or more of the agencies listed below.