Graduate Certificate in Nursing

This information is currently being updated. For current unit codes and names, click here to access the Postgraduate Handbook.

Course Code: 2090

The Graduate Certificate in Nursing provides registered nurses the opportunity to develop a body of advanced knowledge, attitudes and skills as the underpinning of extended specialist practice.

Duration



One year part-time equivalent, or over a longer time as negotiated, but not more than three years from course commencement.

Credit points



4 subjects totaling 24 credit points

Mode of delivery



Subjects are offered by distance education however, additional on-campus sessions may be organised to support learning needs (Sydney Campus).

Abbreviation



GradCertN

Accreditation



The course is accredited by the NSW Department of Education and Training.

Entry requirements



  • current authorisation to practise as a Registered Nurse
  • hold a Bachelor of Nursing degree (or equivalent qualification*)
  • have a minimum of two years post registration experience


and for a Clinical Specialty focus

  • one year specialty experience
  • currently employed in the specialty area


*Equivalent qualification includes a Bachelor of Health Science or a Certificate of Nursing with experience as deemed appropriate by the Graduate Studies Coordinator (Nursing).

Alternative entry requirements



An alternate entry pathway exists where applicants may be asked to complete a subject to demonstrate their ability to learn at tertiary level if standard entry requirements are not met. Following successful completion of this subject a student can enter the Master of Nursing course, or its nested programs.
Applications may also be sought by Registered Nurses who possess recent professional experience or previous learning as deemed suitable by the Faculty Research and Teaching Committee.

For applicants whose first language is not English



Applicants from countries where English is not the first language must demonstrate proficiency in English to the satisfaction of the Faculty Research and Teaching Committee in one of the following two ways:

  1. provide documentary evidence that initial nursing education was conducted in the English language.
  2. successful completion of at least two years of tertiary study conducted in the English language in Australia, or in another country where English is the official language, within the last two years.


Applicants may also be required to undertake an English language test (IELTS). For postgraduate study in the Faculty of Nursing and Health, applicants must score an overall score of 7 or more, with a minimum of 6.5 in each separate band.

Working as a nurse in NSW



Special application for temporary nurse registration may be sought from the NSW Nurse and Midwives Board if an applicant wishes to undertake supernumerary nursing practice in NSW. Further information can be found on the NMB (NSW) website (http://www.nmb.gov.au).

Enquiries



For any postgraduate study enquiries, please contact the secretary, Faculty of Nursing and Health, Sydney Campus: phone (02) 9487 9627.

Course requirements (24 credit points)



Four specialty subjects 24 credit points

Specialties offered


Health Services Management



Required subjects




Clinical Teaching



Required subjects




(Students are responsible for undertaking 120 hours experience in clinical teaching each semester as part of this subject)

Clinical Specialty



Clinical specialties are available in the following areas:
Critical care, day surgery care, gerontology, oncology, orthopaedics, perioperative/anaesthetics/recovery

Required subjects




(Students are responsible for undertaking 200 hours experience in the clinical specialty area each semester as part of this subject)

Enquiries:



Direct your enquiries to:

Faculty of Nursing and Health (Sydney Campus)
Telephone: 61 2 94879627
Email: nursing@avondale.edu.au