https://www.deakin.edu.au/__data/assets/image/0008/2504654/35262_graduate-certificate-of-intraoperative-nursing_Hero.jpg

Graduate Certificate of Intraoperative Nursing

Postgraduate coursework

Develop the advanced clinical skills needed to care for patients during surgery and help meet the growing demand for intraoperative nurses.

Key facts

Duration

1 year part-time

Note: this course is only available part-time

Locations

Current Deakin Students

To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook

Course overview

Each year 2.8 million hospitalisations in Australia result in surgical interventions. With a skills shortage in the intraoperative specialty area, Deakin’s Graduate Diploma of Intraoperative Nursing will equip you to join this growth area and help meet the growing demand for intraoperative nurses.

Ranked #16 in the world, our School of Nursing and Midwifery is one of Australia’s largest and most established schools. You’ll be learning from the best with the School’s cutting-edge research recognised as well above world standard#. Our strong industry connections mean you will be guided by experts in perioperative 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 surgical patients takes place.

Do you want to join the collaborative team supporting and caring for patients during surgery?

Deakin’s Graduate Diploma of Intraoperative Nursing will enable you to take the next step in your nursing career. You will develop specialty knowledge of the core principles and concepts of intraoperative nursing and collaborative management with a specific focus on the global, national, and local quality and safety standards.

You will feel empowered to step up as a leader in evidence-based intraoperative care, helping to drive change to improve the quality of nursing care and patient outcomes.

This course will improve your skills in:

  • how to critically analyse and apply evidence-based practice to implement risk management strategies in the intraoperative context
  • the concepts and principles of intraoperative techniques in assessment and management of elective and emergency patients undergoing complex and specialty surgical procedures
  • understanding the role specialist intraoperative nurses play in managing surgical and/or procedural patients across; infection prevention, surgical safety and environmental planning and preparation; surgical wound closure and management; and medico-legal requirements
  • managing complex and special populations to identify risk and inform decisions that deliver safe, high quality nursing care to promote optimal patient outcomes
  • how to apply the core principles of intraoperative practice across a range of surgical specialities
  • what role you will play in comprehensively managing patients through their surgical journey
  • advancing your professional judgement, leadership and professionalism through reflection on, experiential learning in, and knowledge acquisition of, the contemporary healthcare practice environment.

Elective units available from your first year enable you to pursue specific areas of interest aligned to your career goals. You can choose from complementary areas of nursing practice to intraoperative nursing or undertake units that will further prepare you for roles in education, leadership or management. You will also have the opportunity to select a unit from anywhere across the university, further expanding your skill set.

Our innovative online program delivers a rich, interactive and empowering learning experience designed for postgraduate nurses. Live-streaming seminars and class discussions will encourage critical thinking, problem solving and teamwork skills. Australia’s top-rated tech support and access to our expert teaching staff means you can learn at your own pace, when and where it suits you, without compromising quality or support.

With job growth of 12.2% projected for registered nurses and 12.1% for nurse managers by 2028~, there is an industry demand for nurses with sophisticated specialty skills. Intraoperative nurses are in strong demand as they are an integral part of the multidisciplinary teams that support patients through their surgical experience.

Deakin’s strong industry connections ensure a high level of collaboration and support during your clinical practice. This means that while you study you can immerse yourself in your speciality practice area with one of our numerous metropolitan, rural and regional health partners across Australia.

* Australia’s hospitals at a glance 2022 - Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) Australian Government (2022)
^ 2023 ShanghaiRankings Ranking of Academic Subjects.
# Excellence in Research Australia (ERA) 2018.
~ Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections

Read More

Course information

Award granted
Graduate Certificate of Intraoperative Nursing
Year

2025 course information

Deakin code
H568
Level
Postgraduate (Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma)
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 Intraoperative Nursing students must attain 4 credit points comprising of 2 core units and 2 credit points of course electives.

Both the theoretical and clinical components of the assessment for each unit must be passed in order to successfully gain an overall pass in this course. Compulsory clinical hurdles form part of the assessment of this course. Recognition of the importance of clinical assessments is calculated in the overall student workload.

Note: Failure of a compulsory clinical component in a unit will normally lead to exclusion

All commencing Faculty of Health Undergraduate and Postgraduate course work students are required to complete DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first trimester of study.

Note: Students wishing to complete a thesis at the masters level, must complete HNN730 Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning and HNN749 Patient and Risk Management during their Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in order to gain the Intraoperative Nursing Specialisation at the masters level.

Core Units

Semester 1

  • Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0 credit points)
  • Core Principles of Intraoperative Nursing Care
  • Plus 1 credit point course elective or specialisation unit

    Semester 2

  • Principles of Complex Intraoperative Nursing Care
  • Plus 1 credit point course elective or specialisation unit

    Intraoperative Specialisation

  • Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning
  • Patient Safety and Risk Management
  • Course Electives

  • Pathophysiology of Diabetes
  • Management of Diabetes
  • Contemporary Approaches to Diabetes Education
  • Diabetes in Social and Psychological Contexts
  • Ethical Dimensions in Nursing
  • Leadership and Management in Nursing
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples' History, Culture and Health
  • Core Principles of Perianaesthesia Nursing Care
  • Biopsychosocialspiritual Mental Health Nursing Assessment
  • Person-Centred Approaches to Engagement in Mental Health Nursing
  • Facilitating Clinical Learning
  • Healthcare in Low Resource/Complex Environments
  • Healthcare Management of Vulnerable Populations
  • Quality and Safety in Medication Management
  • Therapeutic Medication Management
  • Recognising and Understanding Mental Illness
  • Therapeutic Interventions in Mental Health Nursing
  • The Physical Health Needs of Persons with Mental Illness
  • Sustaining the Mental Health Nursing Workforce
  • Intakes by location

    This course commences in Semester 1 only. It is available across all nominated locations.

    Semester 1 - February

    • Start date: February
    • Available at:
      • Online

    Additional course information

    To undertake this course you must independently secure employment of at least 24 hours per week in an intraoperative care setting within a collaborating hospital in Australia.

    Clinical requirement
    Clinical practice with intraoperative nursing roles (instrument/circulating nurse) per semester.
    Enrolment in a clinical perianaesthesia unit HNN755 as an elective (semester 1 only) requires additional clinical practice in anaesthesia and post anaesthesia care unit.

    Core clinical certificate units in this course are semester based. Students are expected to attend synchronous seminars on Wednesdays throughout the semester.

     

    Course duration

    Course duration may be affected by delays in accessing or undertaking clinical requirements.

    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

    Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.

    Please note, there are limited places in this course and entry is competitive. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit an application as soon as possible. Applications for this course may close prior to the published closing date if all places are filled.

    Academic requirements

    To be considered for admission to this degree you will need to meet the following criteria:

    • completion of a Bachelor of Nursing or equivalent
    • registration as a registered nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia with no conditions or restrictions
    • evidence of secure, ongoing employment of at least 24 hours per week in a collaborating hospital within Australia, working in a relevant speciality practice area with appropriate clinical supervision

    English language proficiency requirements

    To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:

    Non-academic requirements

    As the specialisation pathways courses are offered collaboratively between the University and a range of partnership/ collaborating hospitals, student selection into the course is a joint process. Students must independently apply for and seek permanent employment within a collaborating hospital to support and provide a sound clinical learning environment for the clinical program requirements of the course.

    Applicants are required to complete an Applicant Declaration form to be uploaded with their application.

    Admissions information

    Learn more about Deakin courses and how we compare to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning.

    Not sure if you can get into Deakin postgraduate study? Postgraduate study doesn’t have to be a balancing act; we provide flexible course entry and exit options based on your desired career outcomes and the time you are able to commit to your study.

    Recognition of prior learning

    If you have completed previous studies which you believe may reduce the number of units you have to complete at Deakin, indicate in the appropriate section on your application that you wish to be considered for Recognition of prior learning. You will need to provide a certified copy of your previous course details so your credit can be determined. If you are eligible, your offer letter will then contain information about your Recognition of prior learning.

    You can also refer to the recognition of prior learning (RPL) system which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree.

    Fees and scholarships

    Fee information

    Estimated tuition fee - full-fee paying place

    The tuition fees you pay are determined by the course you are enrolled in. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only and represents the typical tuition fees for students completing this course within the same year 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 you have.

    The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together four credit points of study. Four credit points is used as it represents a typical enrolment load for a Graduate Certificate.

    Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. 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 tuition fees.

    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.

    Search or browse through our scholarships

    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.

    Learn more about the 10% Deakin alumni discount

    Apply now

    Apply directly to Deakin

    Applications can be made directly to the University through StudyLink Connect - Deakin University's International Student Application Service.

    We recommend engaging with a Deakin Authorised Agent who can assist you with the process and submit the application.

    Applicant declaration

    Applicants must complete the Applicant declaration as part of their application.

    Need more information on how to apply?

    For information on the application process, including required documents and important dates, see the How to apply webpage.
    If you need assistance, please contact us.

    Pathways

    Upon successful completion of the Graduate Certificate of Intraoperative Nursing, students have the option to further their studies by articulating into the below course:

    H668 Graduate Diploma of Intraoperative Nursing

    Careers

    Career outcomes

    With job growth of 12.2% projected for registered nurses and 12.1% for nurse managers by 2028*, there is an industry demand for nurses with sophisticated specialty skills. Our Graduate Diploma of Intraoperative Nursing will allow you to meet that demand in a variety of roles across advanced practice, leadership, management and education including:

    • instrument nurse
    • circulating nurse.

    * Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections

    Professional recognition

    Nurses employed under the Victorian public hospital award receive a higher duties allowance for postgraduate qualifications relevant to their practice.

    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.

    Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes Course Learning Outcomes
    Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities

    Demonstrate safe psychomotor skills and clinical practice commensurate with intraoperative nursing theoretical knowledge, evidence-based practice and person-centred care.

    Communication

    Demonstrate communication skills to develop and implement plans of care to ensure the delivery of quality, safe nursing care to patients in the intraoperative care setting.

    Digital literacy

    Evaluate information using digital technologies to effectively disseminate relevant intraoperative information to patients and/or the multidisciplinary team.

    Critical thinking

    Identify and evaluate complex data from multiple sources to inform clinical decision making in the intraoperative care setting.

    Problem solving

    Apply specialised nursing knowledge and skills to routine and complex problems in the intraoperative care setting to optimise patient outcomes.

    Self-management

    Demonstrate professionalism, accountability, reflection and personal autonomy as an intraoperative nurse.

    Teamwork

    Establish and maintain inclusive, collaborative professional relationships with all members of the multidisciplinary team.

    Global citizenship

    Display accountability for, and sound professional judgement in behaviours that uphold ethical principles of practice within diverse social, cultural and environmental contexts.