Graduate Certificate in Acute Care Nursing

What you will study

To complete the Graduate Certificate in Acute Care Nursing, you must fulfil 100 credits or four units.

• WOCP Specialty Clinical Practice 1
• Nursing Bioscience for Acute Conditions
• Clinical Practice 2
• Nursing Bioscience for Complex Care

Entry requirements

Applicants for a Graduate Certificate must meet the University's academic and English language entry standards; details are provided at http://study.curtin.edu.au/. Applicants generally require a Bachelor Degree or equivalent credit gained for recognised learning. Any specific course entry and completion requirements must also be met.  All Curtin courses have compulsory and other core capabilities that are essential for demonstrating the achievement of course learning outcomes and graduation.  Students who are unable to meet or demonstrate those requirements, now or in later stages during their studies, may seek reasonable adjustments by the University, wherever possible, to facilitate alternative ways of achieving those requirements.  If reasonable adjustments cannot be accommodated, Curtin will discuss study options to find an alternative course of study or an exit degree. Any specific course entry and completion requirements must also be met.

 Specifically, applicants must hold a bachelor's degree and register as a comprehensive or general nurse in Division One with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA). Prospective applicants should have at least 12 months' experience in a specialist practice area. They must be concurrently employed in an approved location, working at least 18-24 hours per week.

Recognition of Prior Learning

You may be able to get credit for your course based on prior formal, non-formal or informal learning. To apply, you will need to provide supporting documentation outlined by the university. Contact the university for more information.

Outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate Certificates contain a series of units, which may include compulsory (core), optional, or elective units to accommodate student preferences.

This course focuses on the development of leadership, critical thinking and clinical decision-making. It is not available to International Onshore Students on Student Visas.

• Analyse critically and evaluate advanced concepts of acute care nursing practice; integrate knowledge and understanding to demonstrate competency at a level by the RN Standards for Practice.
• Critically analyse, reflect on and synthesise the individual's environmental, physical and psychosocial aspects for effective clinical decision making;  recognise own abilities and level of professional competence.
• Investigate, analyse and synthesise complex evidence and scientific literature to inform decision-making in acute care practice.
• Integrate communication skills within a legal and ethical framework related to acute care clinical issues; interpret and transmit knowledge, skills and ideas to the health care team.
• Effectively anticipate, plan for and use technology applications relevant to acute care practice.
• Integrate autonomous, expert judgement, adaptability and responsibility as a lifelong learner in acute care practice; participate in research, critically appraise research findings and incorporate evidence-based knowledge into clinical practice.
• Critically appraise, evaluate and incorporate national and global health issues and strategic health care directions into acute care practice..
• Incorporate culturally aware and respectful acute care into multicultural groups and indigenous communities.
• Incorporate advanced theoretical and specialist knowledge and judgment, including advanced leadership and autonomy into acute care practice; work professionally in acute care practice demonstrating judgement, leadership and independence as a nurse in acute care; act as an experienced positive role model to peers and other members of the healthcare team.

Fees and CSP

Indicative fee in 2025: $2,300 (Commonwealth Supported Place)

Indicative full fee in 2025: $13,967 (domestic full-fee paying place)

Student fees may vary in accordance with:

• The number of units studied per term.
• The choice of major or specialisation.
• Choice of units.
• Credit from previous study or work experience.
• Eligibility for government-funded loans.

Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.

Commonwealth Supported Places

The Australian Government allocates a certain number of CSPs to the universities each year, which are then distributed to students based on merit.

If you're a Commonwealth Supported Student (CSS), you'll only need to pay a portion of your tuition fees. This is known as the student contribution amount – the balance once the government subsidy is applied. This means your costs are much lower.

Limited CSP spaces are offered to students enrolled in selected postgraduate courses.

Your student contribution amount is:

• Calculated per unit you're enrolled in.
• Depending on the study areas they relate to.
• Reviewed and adjusted each year.

HECS-HELP loans are available to CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.

FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee-paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.