In this Unit, the student is introduced to contemporary Child and family health nursing practice in Australia. The role of the nurse, intradisciplinary team, government, and non-government agencies in supporting parents with infants and young children is explored. A primary health care philosophy and health promotion principles form the framework for practice. Current research, policy, and guidelines underpinning Child and family health nursing are analysed.
Students will become familiar with the social determinants of health and the concept of working in partnership with families. Students are introduced to family theory, psychosocial assessment tools, and a strengths-based model of care. The importance of recognising and responding to perinatal anxiety and depression during the transition to parenting is outlined.
Support networks and community connectedness promote resilience and protect children during their formative years. Therefore, the child and family are observed from their environment’s socio-ecological and cultural perspective. Students studying this Unit will consolidate their theoretical learning through a professional experience placement in a child and family health nursing setting.
| Family and Child Health | |
| Unit of study code | 040 |
| Availability | Graduate Certificate in Child and Family Health Nursing
GC single unit of study |
| Term | APRIL, OCTOBER |
| Pre-requisite | N/A |
| EFTSL | 0.125 FTE |
| Credit points | 6 |
| Mode of study | Online |
| Hours of study | 150 |
| Fee* | Tier 3 |
| Clinical placement requirements | There is a compulsory 40 hours clinical placement for this unit of study.
Anyone applying for an ACN course that includes a clinical placement must provide evidence of compliance documents at the time of application. Applications for enrolment will not be progressed until all relevant documentation has been received by customer services. Each Australian state and territory have its own clinical placement documentation requirements. Please view our clinical placement information page, then click on the tab for your state or territory for information on specific requirements. Individual placement providers may need additional documentation. If you are required to provide this then you will be contacted by the clinical placement officer following enrolment. ACN negotiates with health care facilities to secure clinical placements. ACN will make every effort to secure clinical placements within the timeframe indicated in the course outline, however applicants are advised that provision and location of clinical placements is dependent on the availability of placements within the health facility. As placements are difficult to secure, once confirmed these cannot be negotiated unless there are unforeseen extenuating circumstances. Applicants are not to arrange their own clinical placements with a clinical facility under any circumstances. ACN reserves the right to change clinical placements if necessary. |
| Prescribed texts | N/A |
| Co-ordinated by | Trish Lowe MACN e: patricia.lowe@acn.edu.au |
| Content | Intended learning outcomes for this subject/program
After completing this subject, the learner will be able to:- |
Assessment Tasks | ||
| Type of assessment
Note the completed assessment item (e.g. Assessment 1: Online discussion) |
Weighting
(% of total marks) |
When assessed – academic week
(e.g. Week 8) |
||
| Theme 1: Promoting family health and well-being | a) critically analyse the philosophies, policies, theories, and frameworks that underpin Child and family health nursing practice in Australia | Assessment 1a and 1b: Online discussions |
10% | 2, 8 |
| Theme 2: Assessing and strengthening the family | b) apply advanced knowledge of the social determinants of health and the concepts of resilience and community connectedness to support practice | Assessment 2a: Professional learning goals | 5% | 4 |
| Theme 3: Supporting families and communities | c) discuss the ecological, cultural, political, and economic factors that impact families with young children | Assessment 2b: Verification and reflection | 0% | 9 |
| d) evaluate the perinatal health and well-being of caregivers during the transition to parenting in the early years | Assessment 3: Policy critique | 40% | 6 | |
| e) create partnerships with community networks and the multidisciplinary healthcare team to build strong foundations for the family and community | Assessment 4: Analysis of care | 45% | 10 | |
| f) develop evidence-based health promotion strategies in partnership with families using primary health care, strengths-based framework | ||||
Family and Child Health (040) is a Tier 3 unit.
| Tiers | 2025 Member price (10% discount) | 2025 Non-member price |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $2,403.00 | $2,670.00 |
| Tier 2 | $2,740.50 | $3,045.00 |
| Tier 3 | $3,539.00 | $3,932.00 |
| Tier 4 | $4,166.00 | $4,628.50 |
*Fees are subject to change without notice.
