Graduate Certificate in Critical Care Nursing (Emergency)

What you will study

The Graduate Certificate in Critical Care Nursing (Emergency) is a 50-credit-point clinical coursework program designed to be undertaken part-time over 12 months. It is delivered in a mixed mode and through work-integrated learning in supervised clinical practice at your employing hospital. Unless otherwise indicated, each subject is worth 12.5 credit points.

Entry requirements

To be considered for entry into this course, you must:

• Have a Bachelor of Nursing, Master of Nursing Science or equivalent entry-to-practice nursing qualification.
• Have documented evidence of clinical practice within the preceding five years of applying for the course.
• Hold unrestricted registration as a Division 1 Registered Nurse with AHPRA or equivalent registration with an international health practitioner regulation agency.
• Be nominated by their health service employer and be practising in the speciality area of emergency nursing, working a minimum of 24 hours per week for the standard course duration in a clinical setting that will provide the relevant clinical experience to meet course learning outcomes.

Please note: Applicants for the Graduate Certificate in Critical Care Nursing (Emergency) must be employed by a Centre of Excellence (COE) or a partnering hospital to undertake this course. Applicants not used by a Centre of Excellence (COE) or a partnering hospital must provide evidence of current clinical employment and support from their employing hospital.

English language requirements

All applicants to the University of Melbourne must satisfy the English language requirements. This may be achieved in several ways, including a recognised previous study taught and assessed entirely in English or an approved English language test. If you are from a non-English speaking background, the required standard of English for this degree is one of the following English proficiency test scores:

• IELTS – 6.5, with no band less than 6.0
• TOEFL – 79+, with writing 21; speaking 18; reading 13; listening 13
• Pearson – 64+, with no communicative skill below 60
• Cambridge – 176+, with no skill less than 169

Contact the university or visit their website for more information.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Prior studies may be credited towards your degree and potentially reduce the duration of your course. This is known as Advanced Standing (also known as credit or recognition of prior learning).

Outcomes

Learning outcomes

Upon completing the course, you will have specialised knowledge and skills and the ability to confidently apply these in the provision of critical care in emergency settings. You will be able to:

• Demonstrate advanced knowledge of the scientific and research-based evidence that underpins critical care and technical skills that align with the relevant practice standards for specialist emergency nurses.
• Identify the contribution of nurses in interprofessional care across critical care services.
• Assess, review and analyse patient health data to identify and explain the rationale for solving complex emergency nursing problems.
• Employ practical specialised technical skills in the delivery of specialist emergency nursing care.
• Communicate effectively with other members of the interprofessional healthcare team and people who are acutely or critically ill to facilitate effective individualised plans for care.
• Apply skills to critically appraise emergency nursing practice and integrate relevant research evidence into effective individualised plans for people with undifferentiated illness or injury.
• Apply knowledge of human pathophysiology across the continuum of care to safely and effectively provide specialist emergency nursing care that addresses actual and potential disease and treatment-related health needs.
• Conduct planning and delivery of specialist emergency nursing care that meets the specific supportive care needs and experiences of people affected by acute illness or trauma.
• Initiate, plan, implement and evaluate individualised, patient-centred, comprehensive and coordinated care in collaboration with other interprofessional healthcare team members to achieve desired patient outcomes.
• Act to promote teamwork, well-being and collaboration with the interprofessional team and achieve desired patient outcomes.

Career outcomes

On completion, you should have the clinical competencies to practice as an emergency nurse at a beginning competency level benchmarked against Australian speciality practice competencies.

Fees and FEE-HELP

Indicative first-year and total course fee in 2026: $14,000 (domestic full-fee paying place)

Unless otherwise noted, the indicative total course fee shown above assumes a study load of 1 EFTSL (equivalent full-time student load) commencing semester one of the listed year, except for courses with a duration of less than 1 EFTSL.

Fees are subject to annual review by the University, with any new rates effective from the beginning of each calendar year.

A student’s fee may vary depending on:

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

You may also need to pay the student services and amenities fee.

FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students.