Graduate Diploma of Cardiac Nursing
2027 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2027 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Graduate Diploma of Cardiac Nursing |
| Course credit points | 8 |
| Deakin course code | H665 |
| Course version | 3 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Health |
| Course information | For students who commenced from 2023 onwards |
| Campus | This course is only offered Online |
| Duration | 2 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
- Inclusive support for learning and participation
- Pathways
- Alternative exits
- Course learning outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Fees and charges
Course overview
Cardiovascular disease accounts for 27% of deaths in Australia.* Deakin’s Graduate Diploma of Cardiac Nursing builds on foundational knowledge to prepare you for senior roles in specialised cardiac care. Develop your analytical, clinical and communication skills to deliver high-quality, person-centred care.
Ranked #14 in the world for nursing, Deakin combines leading research with strong industry connections to deliver contemporary, evidence-based learning. Deepen your expertise in cardiovascular care, interventional cardiology and complex clinical decision-making, and strengthen your leadership and communication capabilities.
Elective units allow you to tailor your studies towards leadership, education or advanced clinical practice. Flexible online delivery allows 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 Diploma 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 Diploma of Cardiac Nursing will allow you to meet that demand in a senior role in advanced practice, leadership, management and education across a range of settings including:
- acute cardiac units
- cardiac rehabilitation and community care
- cardiac catheter laboratories
- coronary care units
- clinical nurse educator.
** Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections
Inclusive support for learning and participation
At Deakin, we're committed to ensuring an inclusive environment that supports all students to belong, thrive and succeed. We work closely with students, where needed, to identify potential barriers to participation and where possible, provide tailored support so students can engage with learning and assessment activities.
If you are neurodivergent, have a disability, health condition or mental health condition that may impact your study or participation in university life, you can contact our Disability Resource Centre (opens email client) team for a collaborative and confidential discussion.
Pathways
Alternative exits
| Graduate Certificate of Cardiac Nursing (H565) |
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 advanced clinical practice commensurate with cardiac care nursing theoretical knowledge, evidence-based practice and person-centred care. |
| Demonstrate advanced communication skills to ensure the delivery of high 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, analyse and evaluate complex data from multiple sources to inform clinical decision making in the cardiac care setting. |
| Apply advanced nursing knowledge to 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. |
| Demonstrate 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 Diploma of Cardiac Nursing you must pass 8 credit points. The number of credit points required may vary, depending on your entry point or how much credit you receive as recognition of prior learning (RPL) based on your professional experience and previous qualifications.
An 8-credit point Graduate Diploma of Cardiac Nursing includes:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
- 6 credit points of core units
- 1 credit point of course electives
- 1 credit point of level 7 open electives.
Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Note:
- The core cardiac nursing specialisation units are completed in year 1 of the course and are semester-based delivery.
- 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.
Course structure
Core units
Year 1 - Semester 1
| DAI001 | Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0 credit points) |
| HNN791 | Core Principles of Critical Care Nursing (2 credit points)* |
Year 1 - Semester 2
| HNN795 | Cardiac Nursing (2 credit points)* |
Year 2 - Trimester 1
| HNN750 | Inquiry Into Specialty Nursing Practice |
Plus 1 credit point from any level 7 electives from anywhere in the university or two Deakin stackable short courses (0.5cp microcredentials).
Year 2 - Trimester 2
| HNN788 | Advanced Concepts in Specialty Nursing Practice |
Plus 1 credit point of course elective from the list below.
*units are semester-based delivery
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 |
| HNN749 | Patient Safety and Risk Management |
| 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 |
| HNN778 | Research in Nursing and Midwifery |
| 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 |
Open electives
Mix and match Deakin stackable short courses (0.5 cp microcredentials) to earn up to 1 credit point of open electives, subject to eligibility. Any stacking must add up to a whole number to be used for credit. See more information on Deakin stackable short course options.
Course duration
You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.
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.