University of Sydney
Graduate Diploma in Emergency Nursing
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 12 months
Equips registered nurses with advanced clinical expertise and critical decision-making skills tailored for high-pressure emergency care environments, all within a globally respected academic framework.
Course overview
The Graduate Diploma of Emergency Nursing aims to develop the specialist knowledge and skills required to work closely with patients and their families who are confronted with trauma, accidents or acute and unexpected illnesses.
This course is designed for registered nurses working in the emergency environment who are looking to advance to clinical leadership roles or build professional practice capabilities.
Key facts
What you will study
Students must complete 48 credit points to earn the Graduate Diploma in Emergency Nursing. Each unit is worth six credit points.
Core units of study
Students must undertake the following units for 36 credit points:
- Assessment and Clinical Judgement
- Foundations of Clinical Practice
- Evidence and Knowledge Translation
- Emergency Nursing Practice
- Complexity of Critical Illness and Injury
- Expanding Nursing Practice
Electives
Students must undertake 12 credit points from the following list:
- Safety and Quality in Healthcare
- Contemporary Health Leadership
- Interprofessional Engagement with Families
- Primary Health Care
- Chronic Illness Management
- Exploring Nursing Practice
Entry requirements
Admission to this course requires:
- A pre-registration nursing degree from the University of Sydney or equivalent qualification; OR
- An embedded graduate certificate in this discipline from the University of Sydney or equivalent qualification; OR
- A minimum of five years' experience as a registered nurse in Australia or overseas; AND
- Be a registered nurse in Australia or overseas; AND
- Domestic applicants are required to have a minimum of one year's experience as a registered nurse, be working in emergency nursing and provide a statement of support from their supervisor or manager in order to undertake the required clinical assessments.
English language requirements
You can meet the English language requirements if you complete one of the following English language tests within two years of the course commencement date:
- IELTS score: A minimum result of 7.0 overall and a minimum result of 7.0 in each band.
- TOEFL - IBT score: A minimum result of 96 overall, including a minimum result of 23 in Reading, Listening and Speaking and 25 in Writing.
- Pearson's Test of English: A minimum result of 72 overall and a minimum result of 72 in each band.
Contact the university or visit their website for more details.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Related study may be credited towards your degree. This may also include relevant work experience for some postgraduate courses. Contact the university for more information.
Outcomes
Learning outcomes
As part of the Graduate Diploma of Emergency Nursing, you will:
- Develop the knowledge and skills to assist emergency presentations, support the patient and family at a time of great vulnerability and assist them with their journey either to hospital admission or safe discharge home.
- Learn from leading researchers in the field of emergency nursing care as you build upon your individual clinical experience.
- Learn to anticipate and prioritise patient care, provide accurate assessment, intervention and effective ongoing management, often in a busy, autonomous and stressful environment.
- Acquire the specialist knowledge and skills to provide high-quality patient care as a leader in emergency nursing treatment.
Career outcomes
Graduates of the Graduate Diploma of Emergency Nursing will be recognised as having advanced knowledge relevant to emergency nursing, ranging from life-saving interventions to providing health promotion and injury prevention information.
Fees and FEE-HELP
Total indicative amount to complete this course in 2026: $26,300 (domestic full-fee paying place)
The total indicative amount is calculated based on a full-time study load of 48 credit points or eight units.
A student’s fee may vary depending on:
- 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.
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee-paying domestic students.
