Graduate Diploma of Theology in Faith Community Nursing [GradDipTh(FCN)]

At the end of 2012 ALC will offer all courses through the Melbourne College of Divinity [MCD], therefore no new enrolments are being taken for this award.

Students wishing to commence studies with ALC can view the agreed alignment of ALC and MCD awards at ALC course alignment with MCD courses—Postgraduate [PDF]

Course ID

45169

Description

The Graduate Diploma of Theology in Faith Community Nursing [GradDipTh(FCN)] is a one year postgraduate award that provides an accredited course in theology specifically tailored for registered nurses who are working, or interested in working, within a faith community [eg congregations, parishes, church owned schools, hospitals, aged care facilities, etc].

Individual Christian denominations have varied degrees of recognition for such a qualification, but in most denominations persons with a Graduate Diploma in Theology are recognised as qualified for salaried lay ministry positions.

The GradDipTh(FCN) award is recognised by the Department of Lay Ministry of the Lutheran Church of Australia as the basic qualification for nurses seeking accreditation as Lutheran Parish Nurses working in Lutheran faith communities. The Australian Faith Community Nurses Association Incorporated [AFCNA] recognises the qualification as an appropriate level for nurses who are practising in a salaried Faith Community Nursing role.

Course outcomes

The GradDipTh(FCN) enables registered nurses to:

develop skills to assess, plan, implement and evaluate nursing care of individuals and groups in the context of a faith community for the promotion and enhancement of whole person health from a Christian perspective,

in that they:

become familiar with the basics of Christian theology and the Christian tradition as they have been transmitted through the Christian Church
develop the skill of doing theology and of interpreting and applying the Christian tradition within the context of a health and healing ministry in the faith community nurse role
be aware of Christian theological perspectives relevant to health (eg, meaning of suffering, nature of healing, purpose of caring) that can direct interaction with clients in the context of faith community nursing
be aware of the philosophies and principles of faith community nursing, and be able to develop a personal philosophy of nursing appropriate to the context of faith community nursing
understand and apply principles of community development which utilise the community’s assets to build social capacity and promote the health of the community;
apply appropriately the principles of primary health care with due regard to the health continuum
be aware of significant issues in contemporary society that influence health (eg economic constraints, social justice, bioethics, medical specialisation, the ageing population, managed care, domestic violence) and through offering nursing care that is cognisant and sensitive to such issues from a Christian perspective
be appropriately accountable, including legally, ethically and professionally
deliver care that demonstrates awareness of the worth of each individual and a commitment to the provision of multi-dimensional nursing care, including a focus on the spiritual dimension
understand their vocation as faith community nurses in terms of service carried out in a climate of pastoral care and love whilst growing and maturing as individuals and as members of the faith community

Course structure

The GradDipTh(FCN) consists 80 credit points [FTE = 1 year]

Unit requirements

40 credit points [2 x 20cp professional core units]

NUR3001 Principles of Faith Community Nursing
NUR3002 Practice of Faith Community Nursing

20 credit points [2 x 10cp core theological units]

BIB3003 Bible Then and Now
PAS3008 Pastoral Care in Context 1

20 credit points [2 x 10cp elective units]

PAS3004 Intermediate Clinical Pastoral Education 1
PAS3014 Lutheran Spirituality for Today

PAS3027 Pastoral Care in Context 2
THE3002 Christian Faith in Modern Context

Electives may also be selected from other ALC postgraduate courses, specialised units from other tertiary providers or research electives.

Entry requirements

The completion of a nursing qualification and associated eligibility for registration as a nurse in the Australian State or Territory in which the applicant is working [or intends to work] as a registered nurse [Level 1 Registration in Victoria].
Applicants may begin the qualification while still completing their nursing qualification, but cannot receive the award until the student concerned is registered and issued with an annual practising certificate with the appropriate nurse registering authority.
In addition, applicants must have:
- at least 2 years experience as a Registered Nurse before enrolling in the nursing units
- access to a workplace appropriate for meeting the clinical activities required for the course.
Where the first language is other than English please see the English language proficiency prerequisites [PDF].
Recognition of prior learning:
Australian Lutheran College operates with a policy of Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning; see the Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning Policy [PDF].

Duration

One year full time equivalent [FTE] course.
Available full time or part time.
Recommended duration for part time studies is double the FTE course duration.

Study modes

ALC offers units in a variety of study modes [also referred to as delivery modes]; please see ALC Study modes [PDF]. For off campus study options see How does off campus study work?

Requirements to receive the qualification

In order to receive the award students are required to complete the requirements according to the course structure at an accumulated grade point average of at least 2.00 [P1].

Updated: 28/09/2011 [1.02]

See also: