Graduate Certificate of Cardiac Nursing
2027 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2027 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Graduate Certificate of Cardiac Nursing |
| Deakin course code | H565 |
| Course credit points | 4 |
| Course version | 3 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Health |
| Course information | For students who commenced from 2023 onwards |
| Campus | This course is only offered Online |
| Duration | 1 year part-time study |
| Course map - enrolment planning tool | This course map is for new students commencing from Semester 1 2027 Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central. |
| Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition | The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8 |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Indicative student workload
- Professional recognition
- Career opportunities
- Pathways
- Course learning outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Fees and charges
Course overview
Cardiovascular disease accounts for 27% of deaths in Australia*. Deakin’s Graduate Certificate of Cardiac Nursing prepares you to advance your practice in specialised cardiac settings. You will build analytical, clinical and communication skills to deliver safe, high-quality, person-centred care within multidisciplinary teams.
Study with one of the world’s leading nursing schools, ranked #14 in the world. You will develop advanced clinical judgement, assess and manage complex cardiovascular conditions, and respond to data from both patients and clinical technologies.
Flexible online delivery and strong industry partnerships allow you to study while working, with access to metropolitan, rural and regional health partners. Graduate ready to practise at an advanced level and contribute across clinical practice, education and leadership.
*Australian Government, Department of Health and Aged Care.
Indicative student workload
As a student in the Graduate Certificate of Cardiac Nursing you can expect to participate in a range of teaching and learning activities each week. You will attend online synchronous study days and complete asynchronous guided learning modules. There are also additional self-directed study commitments to complete for both university and clinical assessment tasks.
Professional recognition
Nurses employed under the Victorian public hospital award receive a higher duties allowance for postgraduate qualifications relevant to their practice.
Career opportunities
With job growth of 13.7% projected for registered nurses by 2030,** there is an industry demand for nurses with sophisticated specialty skills. Our Graduate Certificate of Cardiac Nursing will allow you to meet that demand in advanced practice, leadership, management and education across a range of settings including:
- acute cardiac units
- cardiac catheter laboratories
- coronary care units
- clinical nurse educator
- cardiac rehabilitation and community care.
** Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections
Pathways
Clinical practice
To undertake this course you must independently secure employment of at least 24 hours per week in a cardiac care setting within a collaborating hospital in Australia.
Course learning outcomes
| Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|
| Demonstrate safe psychomotor skills and clinical practice commensurate with cardiac care nursing theoretical knowledge, evidence-based practice and person-centred care. |
| Demonstrate communication skills to develop and implement plans of care to ensure the delivery of quality, safe nursing care to patients in the cardiac care setting. |
| Evaluate information using digital technologies to effectively disseminate relevant cardiac care information to patients and/or the multidisciplinary team. |
| Identify and evaluate complex data from multiple sources to inform clinical decision making in the cardiac care setting. |
| Apply specialised nursing knowledge and skills to routine and complex problems in the cardiac care setting to optimise patient outcomes. |
| Demonstrate professionalism, accountability, reflection, and personal autonomy as a cardiac nurse. |
| Establish and maintain inclusive, collaborative professional relationships with all members of the multidisciplinary team. |
| Display accountability for, and sound professional judgement in behaviours that uphold ethical principles of practice within diverse social, cultural, and environmental contexts. |
Note – From 2026, Deakin commenced introducing Graduate Attributes (GAs), which define the distinctive characteristics of a Deakin graduate. You may notice some courses still refer to Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) during this transition period.
Course rules
To complete the Graduate Certificate of Cardiac Nursing you must pass 4 credit points. This includes:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
- 4 credit points of core units.
Both the theoretical and clinical components of the assessment for each unit must be passed in order to successfully gain an overall pass in this course. Compulsory clinical hurdles form part of the assessment of this course. Failure of a compulsory clinical component in a unit will normally lead to exclusion
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Course structure
Core units
Semester 1
| DAI001 | Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0 credit points) |
| HNN791 | Core Principles of Critical Care Nursing (2 credit points) |
Semester 2
| HNN795 | Cardiac Nursing (2 credit points) |
Course duration
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing clinical requirements.
Fees and charges
Tuition fees will vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, your study load and/or unit discipline.
Your tuition fees will increase annually at the start of each calendar year. All fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD) and do not include additional costs such as textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment, mandatory checks, travel, consumables and other costs.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.
Further information
Contact Student Central for assistance in course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements. Student Central can also provide information for a wide range of services at Deakin. To help you understand the University vocabulary, please refer to our Enrolment codes and terminology page.