Graduate Certificate of Advanced Nursing
2027 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2027 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Graduate Certificate of Advanced Nursing |
| Deakin course code | H575 |
| Course credit points | 4 |
| Course version | 5 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Health |
| Course information | For students who commenced from 2023 onwards |
| Campus | This course is only offered Online |
| Duration | 1/2 year full-time or part-time equivalent |
| Course map - enrolment planning tool | The course map for students commencing from Trimester 1 2027 will be available soon 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
Advance your nursing practice with the Graduate Certificate of Advanced Nursing. Designed for registered nurses, this course builds advanced knowledge and skills to support leadership, clinical decision-making and improved patient outcomes across diverse healthcare settings.
Study at a university ranked #14 in the world for nursing and learn from experts shaping contemporary healthcare practice. You will explore current and emerging trends, evidence and frameworks that underpin safe, high-quality patient care. Focused on core study, this course strengthens your capability in evidence-based practice and clinical governance. It also provides a pathway to further postgraduate study, including the Graduate Diploma and Master of Advanced Nursing.
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.
Career opportunities
With job growth of 13.7% projected for registered nurses and 13.6% for nurse managers by 2030* there is an industry demand for nurses who can take on senior roles within healthcare settings. Depending on the units you have completed, your expertise will allow you to pursue a range of roles including:
- clinical nurse educator
- associate or unit manager
- research roles
* Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections
Pathways
Course learning outcomes
| Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|
| Demonstrate advanced nursing practice commensurate with nursing theoretical knowledge, evidence-based and person-centred care. |
| Demonstrate advanced communication skills to ensure the delivery of quality, safe nursing care. |
| Evaluate information using digital technologies to effectively disseminate relevant healthcare information to individuals, groups and/or the multidisciplinary team. |
| Identify and evaluate complex data from multiple sources to inform evidence-based decision making. |
| Apply advanced nursing knowledge and skills to routine and complex problems to optimise health outcomes. |
| Demonstrate professionalism, accountability, reflection and personal autonomy. |
| Establish and maintain inclusive, collaborative professional relationships. |
| 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 Advanced 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
- 1 credit point of core units
- 2 credit points of course electives
- 1 credit point of open electives.
Most units are equal to one credit point. Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Course structure
Core
Core Units:
| HNN749 | Patient Safety and Risk Management |
Course electives
| HND701 | Pathophysiology of Diabetes |
| HND702 | Management of Diabetes |
| HND731 | Contemporary Approaches to Diabetes Education |
| HND732 | Diabetes in Social and Psychological Contexts |
| HNN714 | Ethical Dimensions in Nursing |
| HNN715 | Leadership and Management in Nursing |
| HNN730 | Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning |
| HNN754 | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples' Histories, Cultures and Health |
| HNN761 | Biopsychosocialspiritual Mental Health Nursing Assessment |
| HNN762 | Person-Centred Approaches to Engagement in Mental Health Nursing |
| HNN771 | Facilitating Clinical Learning |
| HNN772 | Healthcare in Low Resource/Complex Environments |
| HNN773 | Healthcare Management of Vulnerable Populations |
| HNN780 | Quality and Safety in Medication Management |
| HNN781 | Therapeutic Medication Management |
| HNN782 | Recognising and Understanding Mental Illness |
| HNN783 | Therapeutic Interventions in Mental Health Nursing |
| HNN789 | The Physical Health Needs of Persons with Mental Illness |
| HNN790 | Sustaining the Mental Health Nursing Workforce |
| IND734 | Australian Aboriginal Holistic Health and Healing |
Course duration
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.
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.