#14 in the world for nursing
Advanced nursing studies
Flexible online courses for practising nurses
Why choose advanced nursing at Deakin
Advance your nursing practice with the Graduate Diploma of Advanced Nursing. Designed for registered nurses, this course builds advanced knowledge and skills to support leadership, clinical decision-making and improved patient outcomes across diverse healthcare settings.
Study at a university ranked #14 in the world for nursing and learn from experts shaping contemporary healthcare practice. You will explore current and emerging trends, evidence and frameworks that underpin safe, high-quality patient care.
Building on core foundations, you will tailor your studies through elective units aligned to your interests and career goals. This flexible structure enables you to expand your capability across areas such as leadership, education, research and advanced clinical practice, while providing a pathway to the Master of Advanced Nursing.
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#14 in the world for nursing
Study at a globally ranked nursing school recognised for excellence in teaching and research.
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Flexible study options
Study online and balance your professional commitments while advancing your nursing practice.
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Customisable learning
Choose from a wide range of elective units to align your studies with leadership, education, research or clinical practice.
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Expanded professional capability
Build deeper expertise in evidence-based practice, clinical governance and contemporary healthcare frameworks.
Connected to industry
Deakin’s strong industry connections help shape your learning. Build practical experience in real workplace contexts through work-integrated learning, mentoring and networking opportunities. Industry advisory boards also help shape our degrees, which means what you study is current, relevant and aligned to what your future employers need.
Deakin puts employability first
Career outcomes
Advance your nursing career with specialist knowledge that supports progression into leadership, education and advanced clinical practice. Build expertise you can apply across hospitals, community health and specialist healthcare settings.
Nurse manager
Lead nursing teams, coordinate patient care and oversee the delivery of safe, high-quality healthcare services. Combine advanced clinical expertise with leadership and operational skills to improve outcomes for patients, staff and health services.
- 13.6%
Projected job growth in 5 years
- $145k
Typical annual salary in Australia
Nurse educator
Support the development of current and future nurses through education, mentoring and professional development. Design learning experiences, promote evidence-based practice and help strengthen skills across the nursing workforce.
- 5,000
Nurse educators employed
- $138k
Typical annual salary in Australia
Other jobs
- Clinical nurse specialist
- Clinical nurse consultant
- Advanced practice nurse
- Nurse researcher
- Quality and safety coordinator
- Healthcare leader
*Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. Learn more about our achievements on our University rankings page, or explore our sources page for supporting references.
What will I study in the Graduate Diploma of Advanced Nursing?
This graduate diploma builds advanced nursing capability, progressing from core knowledge into applied and specialised practice. You will deepen your expertise while tailoring your studies to your career goals.
Advanced nursing foundations
Core knowledge
Develop foundational knowledge through core study in clinical governance and safety, and professional and ethical practice.
Flexible specialisation
Choose elective units that align with your professional interests, career goals and preferred area of nursing practice.
Elective focus areas
Tailor your studies across areas such as education, leadership, clinical assessment and decision-making, pharmacology, vulnerable populations, diabetes education and mental health.
Applied practice and specialisation
Advanced practice application
Apply advanced nursing knowledge through coursework focused on complex clinical, leadership or education contexts.
Coursework electives
Continue to build capability through elective units that support your chosen area of nursing practice and professional development.
Career-focused specialisation
Shape your study pathway to strengthen the skills and knowledge most relevant to your current role, future opportunities or chosen area of nursing practice.
Course structure
To complete the Graduate Diploma of Advanced Nursing, you must pass 8 credit points. The number of credit points required may vary, depending on your entry point or how much credit you receive as recognition of prior learning (RPL) based on your professional experience and previous qualifications.
Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.
Are you a current student? For course information that applies to the year you started your degree, visit the handbook.
All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements
Units
Students are encouraged to select units on interest and/or relevance to your clinical practice
Mix and match Deakin stackable short courses (0.5 cp microcredentials) to earn up to 2 credit point(s) of open electives, subject to eligibility. Any stacking must add up to a whole number to be used for credit. See more information on Deakin stackable short course options.
Professional recognition
Nurses employed under the Victorian public hospital award receive a higher duties allowance.
What to expect while studying
You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.
As an online student in the Faculty of Health you will be expected to spend 11-13 hours every week studying, interacting via CloudDeakin and completing assessment tasks for each unit in your course. Refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information.
At Deakin, we're committed to ensuring an inclusive environment that supports all students to belong, thrive and succeed. We work closely with students, where needed, to identify potential barriers to participation and where possible, provide tailored support so students can engage with learning and assessment activities.
If you are neurodivergent, have a disability, health condition or mental health condition that may impact your study or participation in university life, and want to know how Deakin could support you, contact our Domestic students (opens in a new window) or International students (opens in a new window) or Disability Resource Centre (opens email client) teams for a collaborative and confidential discussion. This discussion is to support you to make plans for your studies and future career and will not have any bearing on your application to the course.
When can I start?
When you study depends on your course, location and available intakes. Check the table to see when you can start and how study is offered throughout the year.
Your course learning outcomes describe the knowledge, skills and capabilities you’ll develop and be able to demonstrate by the time you graduate. Built into your course through your units and assessments, they provide a clear picture of what you’ll be equipped to know, understand and do – preparing you to apply your learning with confidence beyond university.
| Course Learning Outcomes |
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| Demonstrate advanced nursing practice commensurate with nursing theoretical knowledge, evidence-based practice and person-centred care. |
| Demonstrate advanced communication skills to ensure the delivery of quality, safe nursing care. |
| Evaluate information using digital technologies to effectively disseminate relevant healthcare information to individuals, groups and/or the multidisciplinary team. |
| Identify and evaluate complex data from multiple sources to inform evidence-based decision making. |
| Apply advanced nursing knowledge and skills to routine and complex problems to optimise health outcomes. |
| Demonstrate professionalism, accountability, reflection and personal autonomy. |
| Establish and maintain inclusive, collaborative professional relationships. |
| Display accountability for, and sound professional judgement in behaviours that uphold ethical principles of practice within diverse social, cultural and environmental contexts. |
- Award granted
- Graduate Diploma of Advanced Nursing
- Year
2027 course information
- Deakin code
- H675
- 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
Fees
Estimated tuition fee
$29,400
for 1 yr full-time AUD
The estimated tuition fee above is based on a typical full-time enrolment of 8 credit points undertaken within the same academic year and is provided as a guide only. Your tuition fees are determined by your course and unit enrolment. Your tuition fees will vary depending on your study load, the course duration, and any approved recognition of prior learning.
Scholarships
Deakin scholarships recognise your hard work and achievements. Our support can ease the financial pressure of studying in Australia so you stay focused on your success. Numbers are limited, so apply early for the best chance.
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.
Recognition of prior learning
We value your previous study and experience. Recognition of prior learning enables you to get credit for what you've already achieved. When you apply, we'll consider your previous study and experience for recognition of prior learning.
Pathways
Upon successful completion of the Graduate Diploma of Advanced Nursing, students have the option to further their studies by articulating into the below course: