University of Southern Queensland
Graduate Diploma of Nursing (Rural and Remote)
- Delivery: Online
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 24 months
Develop your clinical decision-making skills in a rural and remote setting and gain the qualifications required to work effectively as a remote nurse.
Course overview
- Become a remote area nurse with the expertise to adapt practice to the social, cultural and geographic challenges of rural, remote and isolated healthcare settings.
- Build knowledge of the political contexts, legal implications and the importance of cultural safety while providing advanced nursing care to rural and remote clients.
- Benefit from work‑based learning and advance physical examination and diagnostic skills. Build knowledge of specific drugs that registered nurses may need to obtain, supply and administer in an advanced practice context.
- Gain the necessary rural and remote nursing training to enhance clinical decision‑making for patients who are acutely ill or in an emergency care setting.
The Graduate Diploma of Nursing enables students to work alongside diverse healthcare professionals to ensure optimal outcomes for both individuals and communities. It enhances leadership capabilities and develops the skills needed to manage teams and projects effectively, while building an understanding of the strategic decision‑making required in a healthcare environment. Study fits around existing commitments through part‑time and online delivery, allowing students to progress their careers while gaining advanced nursing knowledge and practice.
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
14th September, 2026
What you will study
To earn this degree, students must complete eight units.
Core courses
- Contexts of Professional Health Practice
- Research Design and Methodologies
Students choose one of the following
- The Law and Health Care Practice
- Culture as Determinant of Health
Specialisation courses
- Introduction to Rural and Remote Nursing Practice
- Emergency Nursing in Isolated Practice
- Diagnostics and Assessment
- Situational Practice: Clinical and Critical Decision-making Skills
Student selective units
Choose one course from the following approved student-selective list.
- Clinical Leadership in Contemporary Health Care Practice
- Foundations of Gerontology Practice
- Perspectives of Healthy Ageing
- Person‑centred Dementia Care
- Perspectives on End‑of‑Life
- Introduction to Clinical Education
- Learning Strategies for Healthcare
- Culture as Determinant of Health
Entry requirements
- Completed a three-year bachelor's degree in nursing from an Australian university, or equivalent.
- Hold a current Professional Registration as a Division 1 nurse, or equivalent, with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) or a relevant regulatory body in the applicant's home country.
- Provide written confirmation from your manager stating that you are currently employed as a Registered Nurse and can complete the required clinical mentorship hours in your workplace.
English language requirements
You'll need to meet the applicable English language requirements, and this degree requires:
- IELTS (Academic) - Minimum overall score of 7.0 and a minimum score of 7.0 in each of the four components - listening, reading, writing and speaking.
Alternative English language proficiency tests may also be accepted.
Recognition of Prior Learning
If you have previously studied or have relevant work experience, you may be eligible for recognition of prior learning. This will help reduce the number of courses you must take to finish your program. Contact the university for more information.
Outcomes
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this program, graduates will be able to:
- Apply specialised knowledge, skills and technical competencies across various health contexts.
- Communicate professionally and ethically in interpersonal, interprofessional and intercultural situations with people of diverse ages, backgrounds and needs.
- Collaborate with various healthcare professionals to provide patient care that meets and exceeds the national standards for nursing practice and achieve common goals.
- Reflect on practice to facilitate awareness and knowledge of one’s cognition and abilities, establishing a mechanism for lifelong learning.
- Critically analyse, synthesise and evaluate a range of data and evidence to provide solutions to complex nursing problems.
Career outcomes
As a graduate, you’ll be able to provide specialist skills relevant to remote area nurses and the distinct healthcare challenges and needs in these regions. You’ll have the qualifications to apply for rural and remote nursing jobs nationwide, such as:
- Remote Area Emergency Nurse or Emergency Nurse Manager
- Primary Care Nurse
- Remote Aged Care Nurse
- Telehealth Nurse
- Nurse Educator
- Clinical Nurse Specialist or Consultant
- Travel Nurse (taking short-term assignments in various locations where needed)
Fees and CSP
Indicative annual fee in 2026: $9,536 (Commonwealth Supported Place)
All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a study load of eight units.
Student annual fees may vary in accordance with:
- The number of courses studied per term.
- The choice of major or specialisation.
- Choice of courses.
- Credit from previous study or work experience.
- Eligibility for government-funded loans.
You may also need to pay the student services and amenities fee.
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 programs.
Your student contribution amount is:
- Calculated per the course you're enrolled in.
- Dependent 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.
