Key facts
Duration
1/2 year fulltime or part-time equivalent
Locations
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course overview
With job growth of 13.9% projected for registered nurses by 2026,* there is strong demand for nurses to take on senior roles in this vital sector. Deakin’s Graduate Certificate of Advanced Nursing will help you meet this demand, preparing you to lead the way in driving positive patient outcomes across a variety of roles.
Study at one of Australia’s largest and most established nursing schools, ranked 20th in the world for nursing courses.^ You’ll learn from the best, with course subject matter informed by the School’s cutting-edge research, which is recognised as well above world standard.# Our strong industry connections, mean you will be guided by experts in nursing as you explore the current and emerging trends, concepts, knowledge and evidence that provides the policy and practice framework in which the care of patients takes place.
Are you ready to take on a senior role in the growing nursing sector?
Study the Graduate Certificate of Advanced Nursing to build on your existing clinical skills and to prepare yourself for a senior role in the nursing sector. This course has been flexibly designed to reflect current trends and allows you to gain a varied understanding of advanced nursing practice, without narrowing your focus to a singular specialty area. In addition to one core unit, you can select three elective units based around your interests and career goals.
During your core unit, you will critically examine clinical frameworks which govern patient safety and risk management, allowing you to better implement safe health care standards in your workplace. You can then tailor your electives to suit your goals, with units available which will prepare you for roles in management, education and research.
You will be challenged to become a leader in evidence-based practice, and a change agent to improve the quality of nursing care and patient outcomes.
Designed for postgraduate nursing students, our innovative online program delivers a rich, interactive and empowering learning experience that will encourage critical thinking, problem-solving and teamwork skills. Australia’s top-rated tech support and access to our expert teaching staff allow you to study flexibly around your work and other commitments, without compromising quality or support.
Graduates are prepared to handle the contemporary challenges nurses may face with a course that responds to industry trends and demands. Plus, you will learn how to drive positive change in the nursing sector.
*2021 Employment Outlook – for the five years to November 2026, Australian Government National Skills Commission.
^2022 ShanghaiRankings Ranking of Academic Subjects.
#Excellence in Research Australia (ERA) 2018.
Course information
- Award granted
- Graduate Certificate of Advanced Nursing
- Year
2023 course information
- Deakin code
- H575
- Level
- Postgraduate (Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma)
- Approval status
This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework.
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8.
Course structure
To complete the Graduate Certificate of Advanced Nursing students must attain total of 4 credit points. Students must complete 1 core (compulsory) unit and 3 electives of which 2 must be course electives. Students are encouraged to select units based on interest and/or relevance to their clinical practice. The remaining elective must be a postgraduate elective from anywhere in the university.
All commencing Faculty of Health course work students are required to complete HAI010 Academic Integrity in their first trimester of study (0 credit point compulsory unit).
Core Units:
Course Electives:
Intakes by location
The availability of a course varies across locations and intakes. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Check each intake for up-to-date information on when and where you can commence your studies.
Trimester 1 - March
- Start date: March
- Available at:
- Online Campus
Trimester 2 - July
- Start date: July
- Available at:
- Online campus
Workload
As an online student in the Faculty of Health you will be expected to spend 11-13 hours every week studying, interacting online and completing assessment tasks for each unit in your course. Refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information.
Entry requirements
Entry information
- Bachelor of Nursing or equivalent and
- Registration as a registered nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, with no conditions or restrictions, and
- 12 months recent clinical experience
Deakin University offers admission to postgraduate courses through a number of Admission categories.
All applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements.
Please note: meeting minimum entry requirements does not guarantee an offer of a place. Entry into this program is based on competitive selection and there may be limited places available.
For more information on the Admission Criteria and Selection (Higher Education Courses) Policy visit the Deakin Policy Library
Recognition of prior learning
The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is the greater. In the case of certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.
You can also refer to the Recognition of Prior Learning System which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree and how to apply for credit.
Students holding an approved specialist certificate from the former Nurses Board of Victoria may apply for up to four credit points of Recognition of Prior Learning towards the Masters.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
Learn more about fees and your options for paying.
The available fee places for this course are detailed above. Not all courses at Deakin have Commonwealth supported places available. Limited Commonwealth supported places (CSP) are offered and are available until the allocation is exhausted.
The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only based on a typical enrolment of students completing this course within the same year as they started. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the length of your course and any approved Recognition of Prior Learning.
One year full-time study load is typically represented by four credit points of study for Graduate Certificates. Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together four credit points of a typical combination of units for your course.
You can find the credit point value of each unit under the Unit Description by searching for the unit in the Handbook.
Learn more about fees and available payment options.
Scholarship options
A Deakin scholarship might change your life. If you've got something special to offer Deakin – or you just need the financial help to get you here – we may have a scholarship opportunity for you.
Postgraduate bursary
If you’re a Deakin alumnus commencing a postgraduate award course, you may be eligible to receive a 10% reduction per unit on your enrolment fees.
Apply now
Direct applications for Trimester 1, 2023 open Monday 31 October 2022. Head to the Deakin Application Portal, create an account and log in to apply.
Not sure where to start? Find out how to apply. Please note that closing dates may vary for individual courses.
For more information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply webpage. If you're still having problems, please contact us for assistance.
Entry pathways
Upon successful completion of the Graduate Certificate of Advanced Nursing, students have the option to further their studies by articulating into the below courses:
Contact information
Prospective Student Enquiry Centre
1800 693 888
myfuture@deakin.edu.au
Careers
Want a degree that’s more than just a qualification? Our industry connections, world-class facilities and practical approach to learning are just some of the reasons why Deakin students graduate confident and ready to thrive in the jobs of tomorrow.
Career outcomes
With job growth of 13.9% projected for registered nurses and 23.1% for nurse managers by 2026,* there is an industry demand for nurses who can take on senior roles within healthcare settings. Depending on the units you have completed, your expertise will allow you to pursue a range of roles including:
- clinical nurse educator
- associate or unit manager
- clinical nurse specialist
- research roles
*2021 Employment Outlook – for the five years to November 2026, Australian Government National Skills Commission.
Professional recognition
Nurses employed under the Victorian public hospital award receive a higher duties allowance.
Course learning outcomes
Deakin's graduate learning outcomes describe the knowledge and capabilities graduates can demonstrate at the completion of their course. These outcomes mean that regardless of the Deakin course you undertake, you can rest assured your degree will teach you the skills and professional attributes that employers value. They'll set you up to learn and work effectively in the future.
| Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | Demonstrate advanced nursing practice commensurate with nursing theoretical knowledge, evidence-based and person-centred care. |
| Communication | Demonstrate advanced communication skills to ensure the delivery of quality, safe nursing care. |
| Digital literacy | Evaluate information using digital technologies to effectively disseminate relevant healthcare information to individuals, groups and/or the multidisciplinary team. |
| Critical thinking | Identify and evaluate complex data from multiple sources to inform evidence-based decision making. |
| Problem solving | Apply advanced nursing knowledge and skills to routine and complex problems to optimise health outcomes. |
| Self-management | Demonstrate professionalism, accountability, reflection and personal autonomy. |
| Teamwork | Establish and maintain inclusive, collaborative professional relationships. |
| Global Citizenship | Display accountability for, and sound professional judgement in behaviours that uphold ethical principles of practice within diverse social, cultural and environmental contexts. |
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Footnotes
* 2022 ShanghaiRankings Ranking of Academic Subjects
^ 2021 Employment Outlook - for the five years to November 2026, Australian Government National Skills Commission
# Excellence in Research Australia (ERA) 2018