Graduate Certificate of Advanced Nursing

2023 Deakin University Handbook

Note: You are seeing the 2023 view of this course information. These details may no longer be current. [Go to the current version]

Year	2023 course information
Award granted	Graduate Certificate of Advanced Nursing
Course Map	This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2023. This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 2 2023. Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central.
Campus	This course is only offered Online
Online	Yes
Duration	1/2 year fulltime or part-time equivalent
Deakin course code	H575
Approval status	This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework.
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

With job growth of 13.9% projected for registered nurses by 2026,* there is strong demand for nurses to take on senior roles in this vital sector. Deakin’s Graduate Certificate of Advanced Nursing will help you meet this demand, preparing you to lead the way in driving positive patient outcomes across a variety of roles.

Study at one of Australia’s largest and most established nursing schools, ranked 20th in the world for nursing courses.^ You’ll learn from the best, with course subject matter informed by the School’s cutting-edge research, which is recognised as well above world standard.# Our strong industry connections, mean you will be guided by experts in nursing as you explore the current and emerging trends, concepts, knowledge and evidence that provides the policy and practice framework in which the care of patients takes place.

Are you ready to take on a senior role in the growing nursing sector?

Study the Graduate Certificate of Advanced Nursing to build on your existing clinical skills and to prepare yourself for a senior role in the nursing sector. This course has been flexibly designed to reflect current trends and allows you to gain a varied understanding of advanced nursing practice, without narrowing your focus to a singular specialty area. In addition to one core unit, you can select three elective units based around your interests and career goals.

During your core unit, you will critically examine clinical frameworks which govern patient safety and risk management, allowing you to better implement safe health care standards in your workplace. You can then tailor your electives to suit your goals, with units available which will prepare you for roles in management, education and research.

You will be challenged to become a leader in evidence-based practice, and a change agent to improve the quality of nursing care and patient outcomes.

Designed for postgraduate nursing students, our innovative online program delivers a rich, interactive and empowering learning experience that will encourage critical thinking, problem-solving and teamwork skills. Australia’s top-rated tech support and access to our expert teaching staff allow you to study flexibly around your work and other commitments, without compromising quality or support.

Graduates are prepared to handle the contemporary challenges nurses may face with a course that responds to industry trends and demands. Plus, you will learn how to drive positive change in the nursing sector.

*2021 Employment Outlook – for the five years to November 2026, Australian Government National Skills Commission.
^2022 ShanghaiRankings Ranking of Academic Subjects.
#Excellence in Research Australia (ERA) 2018.

Indicative student workload

As an online student in the Faculty of Health you will be expected to spend 11-13 hours every week studying, interacting online and completing assessment tasks for each unit in your course. Refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information.

Professional recognition

Nurses employed under the Victorian public hospital award receive a higher duties allowance.

Articulated courses

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on your course, the type of fee place you hold, your commencement year and your study load. To find out about the fees and charges that apply to you, visit the Current students fees website or our handy Fee estimator to help estimate your tuition fees.

Course Learning Outcomes

Graduate Learning Outcomes	Course Learning Outcomes
Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities	Demonstrate advanced nursing practice commensurate with nursing theoretical knowledge, evidence-based and person-centred care.
Communication	Demonstrate advanced communication skills to ensure the delivery of quality, safe nursing care.
Digital literacy	Evaluate information using digital technologies to effectively disseminate relevant healthcare information to individuals, groups and/or the multidisciplinary team.
Critical thinking	Identify and evaluate complex data from multiple sources to inform evidence-based decision making.
Problem solving	Apply advanced nursing knowledge and skills to routine and complex problems to optimise health outcomes.
Self-management	Demonstrate professionalism, accountability, reflection and personal autonomy.
Teamwork	Establish and maintain inclusive, collaborative professional relationships.
Global Citizenship	Display accountability for, and sound professional judgement in behaviours that uphold ethical principles of practice within diverse social, cultural and environmental contexts.

Course rules

To complete the Graduate Certificate of Advanced Nursing students must attain total of 4 credit points. Students must complete 1 core (compulsory) unit, plus 3 credit points of electives, of which 2 must be from the course electives. Students are encouraged to select units based on interest and/or relevance to their clinical practice. The remaining 1 electivecan be from any level 7 electives from anywhere in the university.

All commencing Faculty of Health course work students are required to complete HAI010 Academic Integrity in their first trimester of study (0 credit point compulsory unit).