Federation University of Australia
Graduate Certificate of Health (Acute Care Nursing)
- Delivery: Online
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 6 months
Propel your career and specialise in acute care nursing. Build confidence in advanced patient assessment, nursing management and clinical leadership in your specialty stream.
Course overview
This course will equip you with the knowledge and skills to extend your nursing practice and specialise in acute care nursing. The course aims to provide career trajectories and enhance opportunities for aspiring registered nurses in acute care nursing. A blended model of learning will support nurses to achieve more profound clinical knowledge, support their career and educational goals, and develop their practical skills via workshops to provide high-quality acute nursing care. This new degree offers additional pathways that cater to different specialisations.
You will start the degree with units that provide advanced practice assessment skills, pathophysiology, and clinical leadership. In the second half of the degree, you will choose your specialisation of interest as medical-surgical nursing, emergency nursing, or critical care nursing practice. You will be working in the clinical area that you are specialising in at a minimum EFT of 0.5, so you can apply new knowledge and skills directly to your practice.
The course is open to students who are successful graduates of a Bachelor of Nursing (or equivalent), are currently working in an acute care nursing setting, and have current AHPRA registration.
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
Students must complete the following units, totalling 60 credit points:
- Advanced Pathophysiology for Acute Care Nursing
- Advanced Health Assessment for Acute Care Nursing
- Electives
Entry requirements
An applicant must have successfully completed a three-year Bachelor of Nursing level qualification (or equivalent) and be employed in at least 0.5 EFT in a relevant clinical setting.
The candidate’s ability to demonstrate current registration with AHPRA as a Registered Nurse and a minimum of 0.5 EFT current and ongoing employment in an appropriate clinical setting.
Applicants must supply a current resume with their application.
And have completed the Acute Care Nursing Letter of Support.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Your previous studies might count towards this course (which means you could finish sooner). Contact the university for more information
Outcomes
Career outcomes
Completing the Graduate Certificate in Health will enhance your professional standing and provide you with advanced skills and knowledge for application as a clinical leader in the nursing practice and knowledge community.
Fees and CSP
Indicative full-time fee in 2025: $2,314 (Commonwealth Supported Place)
All costs are calculated using current rates and averages based on a typical course load for the first year of this course. Your actual cost may vary depending on the specific units you choose to enrol in.
You will also need to pay the student services and amenities fee. Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.
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.
Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP)
The Australian Government allocates a certain number of Commonwealth Supported Places to 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.
