Graduate Diploma of Advanced Nursing

What you will study

To complete the Graduate Diploma of Advanced Nursing, you must pass eight 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 Advanced Nursing includes:

• Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first study period
• Two credit points for core units
• Four credit points for course elective units
• Two credit points of level 7 open elective units

Core Units

• Patient Safety and Risk Management
• Ethical Dimensions in Nursing

Course Electives

• Pathophysiology of Diabetes
• Management of Diabetes
• Contemporary Approaches to Diabetes Education
• Diabetes in Social and Psychological Contexts
• Leadership and Management in Nursing
• Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples' History, Culture and Health
• Biopsychosocialspiritual Mental Health Nursing Assessment
• Person-Centred Approaches to Engagement in Mental Health Nursing
• Facilitating Clinical Learning
• Healthcare in Low-Resource/Complex Environments
• Healthcare Management of Vulnerable Populations
• Research in Nursing and Midwifery
• Quality and Safety in Medication Management
• Therapeutic Medication Management
• Recognising and Understanding Mental Illness
• Therapeutic Interventions in Mental Health Nursing
• The Physical Health Needs of Persons with Mental Illness
• Sustaining the Mental Health Nursing Workforce
• Australian Aboriginal Holistic Health and Healing
• Students are encouraged to select units of interest and/or relevance to their clinical practice

Stackable short courses

Mix and match Deakin stackable short courses (0.5 cp microcredentials) to earn up to 2 credit points of open electives, subject to eligibility. Any stacking must add up to a whole number for credit. You can find out more about Deakin's stackable short course options.

Entry requirements

Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.

Please note, there are limited places in this course and entry is competitive. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit an application as soon as possible. Applications for this course may close prior to the published closing date if all places are filled.

Academic requirements

To be considered for admission to this degree you will need to meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Registration as a registered nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) with no conditions or restrictions
• Registration as a registered nurse in the country of practice or equivalent and Bachelor of Nursing degree or equivalent.

English language proficiency requirements

To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:

• Bachelor degree from a recognised English-speaking country
• IELTS overall score of 6.5 (with no band score less than 6.0) or equivalent
• Other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements)

Recognition of Prior Learning

If you have completed previous studies that may reduce the number of units you have to complete at Deakin, indicate in the appropriate section on your application that you wish to be considered for Recognition of prior learning. You must provide a certified copy of your previous course details to determine your credit. If you are eligible, your offer letter will be filled out with information about your Recognition of prior learning.

You can also refer to the recognition of prior learning (RPL) system, which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree.

Outcomes

Career outcomes

With job growth of 12.2% projected for registered nurses and 12.1% for nurse managers by 2028, there is an industry demand for nurses who can lead and mentor teams within healthcare settings. Whether you are pursuing a senior position in nursing or want to be a leading voice in nurse education, this course will prepare you for each role.

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

Learning outcomes

• Demonstrate advanced nursing practice commensurate with theoretical knowledge, evidence-based practice, and person-centred 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.

Fees and CSP

Indicative first-year tuition fee in 2025: $5,058 (Commonwealth Supported Place)

The indicative first-year fee is the approximate cost of enrolling in this course for one academic year, depending on the type of place you are offered, for example, a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) or full-fee paying (FFP) place. For a graduate certificate, this is usually four units studied full-time over one term or part-time over two terms.

A student’s annual fee may vary by:

• 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. Could you 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 only need to pay some of your tuition fees. The student contribution amount is 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.