Deakin University
Graduate Diploma of Intensive Care Nursing
- Delivery: Online
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 24 months
Acquire advanced skills in managing critically ill patients in intensive care with guidance from experts.
Course overview
With job growth of 12.2% projected for registered nurses by 2028,* there is an industry demand for nurses with sophisticated specialty skills. As a registered nurse, Deakin’s Graduate Diploma of Intensive Care Nursing will equip you with the analytical, practical, communication and leadership skills needed to take the lead in managing critically ill patients in intensive care and high dependency units at an advanced practice level.
Study with one of Australia’s largest and most established nursing schools. Ranked #15 in the world,^ the School’s cutting-edge research is recognised as well above world standard, Strong industry connections mean you will be guided by experts in critical care nursing as you explore the current and emerging trends, concepts, knowledge and evidence that provide the policy and practice framework for the care of critically ill patients.
Suppose you want to take the next step in your nursing career. In that case, Graduate Diploma of Intensive Care Nursing will prepare you to become a leader and practise effectively at an advanced practice level in critical care settings. As a graduate, you will demonstrate ethical, safe, high-quality, expert clinical decision-making abilities within an interdisciplinary team and psychomotor skills commensurate with specialised theoretical knowledge, evidence-based practice and person or client-centred care.
As a student of Deakin’s Graduate Diploma of Intensive Care Nursing, you will be challenged to advance your professional judgement by exploring the current and emerging trends, concepts, knowledge and evidence that provide the policy and practice framework for the care of critically ill patients.
Second-year elective units allow you to pursue your specific areas of interest and career goals. You can choose from complementary areas of practice to your specialisation or undertake studies that prepare you for education, leadership, or management roles. You can also select a unit from anywhere across the university, further expanding your skill set.
Deakin’s strong industry connections ensure high collaboration and support during your clinical practice. This means that while you study, you can immerse yourself in your speciality practice area with one of our numerous metropolitan, rural and regional health partners across Australia.
Innovative online program delivers a rich, interactive, empowering learning experience designed for postgraduate nurses. Live-streaming seminars and class discussions will encourage critical thinking, problem-solving and teamwork skills. Australia’s top-rated tech support and access to expert teaching staff mean you can learn at your own pace, when and where it suits you, without compromising quality or support.
This course enables you to:
- Evaluate and intervene in response to complex data from patient and technologically-derived sources
- Develop an advanced understanding of normal physiology and the pathophysiology of illness and injury in critically ill patients
- Perform focused, systematic and methodical patient assessments
- Demonstrate advanced clinical judgement leading to autonomous decision-making
- Practice critical thinking and reflection regarding current health environment issues and specialty nursing practice
- Explore and demonstrate an understanding of complex practice, transcultural, ethical and psychosocial concepts
- Combine advanced communication skills with professional knowledge to promote safe, high-quality care of the critically ill.
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 in intensive care and high dependency units.
Graduates are prepared to handle the contemporary challenges intensive care nurses may face with a course that responds to industry trends and demands. You will learn how to make a difference through senior roles in practice, education, leadership and research.
CSP Subsidised Fees Available
This program has a limited quota of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). The indicative CSP price is calculated based on first year fees for EFT. The actual fee may vary if there are choices in electives or majors.
Key facts
What you will study
You must pass eight credit points to complete the Graduate Diploma of Intensive Care Nursing. 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 Intensive Care Nursing includes:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first study period
- Six credit points for core units
- One credit point of course elective units
- One credit point of open elective units.
Most units are equal to one credit point.
Year 1, Semester 1
- Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0 credit points)
- Core Principles of Critical Care Nursing (2 credit points)
Semester 2
- Intensive Care Nursing (2 credit points)
Year 2, Trimester 1
- Inquiry Into Specialty Nursing Practice
Plus one from any level 7 electives from anywhere in the university, or two Deakin stackable short courses (0.5cp microcredentials).
Trimester 2
- Advanced Concepts in Specialty Nursing Practice
Plus one credit point of a course elective from the list below
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 must meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.
Please note that this course has limited places, and entry is competitive. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit an application as soon as possible. If all spots are filled, applications for this course may close before the published closing date.
Academic requirements
To be considered for admission to this degree, you will need to meet all the following criteria:
- Registration as a registered nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) with no conditions or restrictions
- Evidence of secure, ongoing employment of at least 24 hours per week in a collaborating hospital within Australia, working in a relevant speciality practice area with appropriate clinical supervision.
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's degree from a recognised English-speaking country
- IELTS overall score of 6.5 (with no band score less than 6.0) in each component of the test
- Other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements)
Non-academic requirements
As the specialisation pathways courses are offered collaboratively between the University and a range of partnership/collaborating hospitals, student selection into the course is a joint process. Students must independently apply for and seek permanent employment within a collaborating hospital to support and provide a sound clinical learning environment for the clinical program requirements of the course.
Applicants are required to complete an Applicant Declaration form to be uploaded with their application.
Recognition of Prior Learning
The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning, which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is greater. In the case of certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.
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 and how to apply for credit.
Students holding an approved specialist certificate from the former Nurses Board of Victoria may apply for up to four credit points of Recognition of prior learning towards the Master's.
Outcomes
Career outcomes
With job growth of 13.9% projected for registered nurses and 23.1% for nurse managers by 2026,* there is an industry demand for nurses with sophisticated specialty skills. Our Graduate Diploma of Intensive Care Nursing will allow you to meet that demand in a variety of roles across advanced practice, leadership, management and education, including:
- ICU nurse
- Associate or Unit Manager
- Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Clinical Nurse Educator.
Learning outcomes
- Demonstrate advanced clinical practice commensurate with theoretical knowledge of intensive care nursing, evidence-based practice and person-centred care.
- I'd like you to show that you have advanced communication skills to ensure the delivery of high-quality, safe nursing care to patients in the intensive care setting.
- Evaluate information using digital technologies to effectively disseminate relevant intensive 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 intensive care setting.
- Problem-solving: Apply advanced nursing knowledge to complex problems in an intensive care setting to optimise patient outcomes.
- Demonstrate professionalism, accountability, reflection and personal autonomy as an intensive care nurse.
- Establish and maintain inclusive, collaborative professional relationships with all multidisciplinary team members.
- Demonstrate accountability for and sound professional judgement in behaviours that uphold ethical principles of practice within diverse social, cultural and environmental contexts.
Fees and CSP
Estimated tuition fee in 2025: $8,748 (Commonwealth Supported Place)
The estimated tuition fee is calculated by adding together eight credit points of study. Eight credit points is used as it represents a typical enrolment load for a master's degree.
A student’s annual fee 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.
