0603 Nursing

Nursing is the study of the principles and practices of providing general and specialised preventative, curative, rehabilitative and palliative care to individuals and groups. It includes the study of the structure and function of the human body and mind, the restoration and maintenance of health, pain control, human behaviour and nursing ethics.

The main purpose of this narrow field of education is to develop an understanding of the health and wellbeing of individuals and groups. It also involves developing an understanding of professional responsibility in relation to individuals, the community and other health professionals.

Courses in Narrow Field 0603 Nursing develop skills in:

• assessment and identification of health care needs
• developing skills in health problem identification and clinical decision making
• developing skills in planning, implementing and evaluating nursing care provided to individuals and groups

This narrow field comprises the following detailed fields:

060301  General Nursing
060303  Midwifery
060305  Mental Health Nursing
060307  Community Nursing
060309  Critical Care Nursing
060311  Aged Care Nursing
060313  Palliative Care Nursing
060315  Mothercraft Nursing and Family and Child Health Nursing
060399  Nursing, n.e.c.

Veterinary nursing. This is included in Detailed Field 061103 Veterinary Assisting.
Dental nursing. This is included in Detailed Field 060703 Dental Assisting.

General Nursing is the study of the principles and practices of providing preventative, curative and rehabilitative care to individuals and groups.

Examples of subjects in this detailed field include:

• health status analysis and interpretation
• nursing care in a variety of settings
• nursing practice

Midwifery is the study of the principles and practices of providing care for women during pregnancy, birthing and after childbirth and for caring for the new-born. It includes assisting parents and families during childbearing.

Examples of subjects in this detailed field include:

• pregnancy and post-natal period parent education and counselling
• breastfeeding education
• professional aspects of midwifery

Mental Health Nursing is the study of the nursing specialisation concerned with caring for persons with mental health problems.

Examples of subjects in this detailed field include:

• acute and chronic mental disorder patient care
• post acute phase patient rehabilitation
• primary health care for mental health
• mental health nursing practice

Community Nursing is the study of the nursing specialisation concerned with caring for individuals and groups in the community.

Examples of subjects in this detailed field include:

• community nursing assessment
• community nursing programme development

Critical Care Nursing is the study of the nursing specialisation concerned with the theory and practice of caring for patients requiring intensive therapy.

Examples of subjects in this detailed field include:

• post-operative advanced life support
• intensive care nursing
• neonatal intensive care nursing

Aged Care Nursing is the study of the nursing specialisation concerned with the theory and practice of caring for elderly patients.

Examples of subjects in this detailed field include:

• health problems of the ageing patient
• nursing elderly patients
• gerontic nursing practices

Palliative Care Nursing is the study of the nursing specialisation concerned with caring for the terminally ill and their families.

Examples of subjects in this detailed field include:

• pain and symptom control in the terminally ill
• respite care

Mothercraft Nursing and Family and Child Health Nursing is the study of the nursing specialisation concerned with the theory and practice of caring for young children and their families.

Examples of subjects in this detailed field include:

• nursing care of infants and young children
• paediatric nursing practice

This detailed field includes all Nursing not elsewhere classified.

Examples of subjects in this detailed field include:

• breast care nursing
• cancer nursing