Key facts
Duration
Note: this course is only available part-time.
Locations
Key dates
Direct applications to Deakin for Semester 2 2023 close 25 June 2023
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course overview
Cardiovascular diseases cause 27% of deaths in Australia.* As a registered nurse, Deakin’s Graduate Diploma of Cardiac Nursing will equip you with the analytical, practical, communication and leadership skills needed to perform a senior role in a multidisciplinary health team across a range of specialist cardiac settings.
Study with one of Australia’s largest and most established nursing schools, ranked 20th in the world for nursing courses.^ Your learning will be informed by the latest trends in cardiac nursing practice and cutting-edge research, which is recognised as well above world standard.# Our strong industry connections mean you will be guided by experts in cardiac care nursing as you explore the current and emerging trends, concepts, knowledge and evidence that provides the policy and practice framework around cardiac nursing and interventional cardiology.
Are you ready for a senior position in cardiac care?
If you want to take the next step in your nursing career, our Graduate Diploma of Cardiac Nursing will prepare you to become a leader and practise effectively at an advanced practice level in cardiac care settings. As a graduate you will demonstrate ethical, safe, high-quality, expert clinical decision-making abilities within an interdisciplinary team, and psychomotor skills commensurate with specialised theoretical knowledge, evidence-based practice and person-centred care.
As a student of Deakin’s Graduate Diploma of Cardiac Nursing you will be challenged to advance your professional judgement by exploring the current and emerging trends, concepts, knowledge and evidence that provides the policy and practice framework around cardiac nursing and interventional cardiology.
Second year elective units allow you to pursue your specific areas of interest and career goals. You can choose from complementary areas of practice to your specialisation, or undertake studies preparing 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.
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 specialty practice area with one of our numerous metropolitan, rural and regional health partners across Australia.
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.
This course enables you to:
- evaluate and intervene in response to complex data from patient and technologically-derived sources
- develop an advanced understanding of normal physiology, and the pathophysiology of illness and injury of critically ill patients
- perform focused, systematic and methodical patient assessments
- demonstrate advanced clinical judgement leading to autonomous decision-making
- assess and manage patients with a variety of complex cardiovascular conditions
- understand the risk management and quality nursing care required for cardiac patients undergoing interventional procedures
- explore advanced interventional treatment modalities
- combine advanced communication skills with professional knowledge to promote safe, high-quality care of patients across a range of specialist cardiac settings.
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 across a range of specialist cardiac settings.
Graduates are prepared to handle the contemporary challenges nurses may face in cardiac nursing and interventional cardiology with a course that responds to industry trends and demands. You will learn how to make a difference through senior roles in areas such as practice, education, leadership and research.
*Australian Government, Department of Health and Aged Care.
^2022 ShanghaiRankings Ranking of Academic Subjects.
#Excellence in Research Australia (ERA) 2018.
Course information
- Award granted
- Graduate Diploma of Cardiac Nursing
- Year
2023 course information
- Deakin code
- H665
- 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 requirements of the Graduate Diploma of Cardiac Nursing, students must attain 8 credit points, comprising of 6 credit points of core (compulsory) units, 1 unit of course electives and 1 postgraduate elective from anywhere across the University.
The core cardiac nursing specialisation units are completed in year one of the course and are semester-based delivery.
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.
Note: Failure of a compulsory clinical component in a unit will normally lead to exclusion.
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).
Semester 1 Entry Core units
Year 1 -, Semester 1
Year 1 - Semester 2
Year 2 - Trimester 1
Plus 1 credit point of course elective from the list below
Year 2 - Trimester 2
Plus 1 credit point of postgraduate elective from across the University
*units are semester-based delivery
Semester 2 Entry Core units
Year 1 - Semester 2
Year 2 - Semester 1
Year 2 - Trimester 2
Plus 1 credit point of course elective from the list below
Year 3 - Trimester 1
Plus 1 credit point of postgraduate elective from across the University
*units are semester-based delivery
Course Electives
Intakes by location
The availability of a course varies across locations and intakes. This means that a course offered in Semester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Semester 2. Check each intake for up-to-date information on when and where you can commence your studies.
Semester 1 - February
- Start date: February
- Available at:
- Online
Semester 2 - July
- Start date: July
- Available at:
- Online
Additional course information
To undertake this course you must independently secure employment of at least 24 hours per week in a cardiac care setting within a collaborating hospital in Australia.
Course duration - additional information
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.
Participation requirements
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.
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 and restrictions and
- Applicants must provide evidence of employment in Australia working in a relevant specialist area with appropriate clinical supervision for the duration of the course.
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.
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
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 System which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
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. 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 eight credit points of study. Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together eight 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
Applications can be made directly to the University through the Deakin Application Portal. For information on the application process and closing dates, see the how to apply web page. Please note that closing dates may vary for individual courses.
Applicants must complete the Applicant declaration as part of their application.
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 Diploma of Cardiac Nursing, students have the option to further their studies by articulating into the below course:
H771 Master of Advanced Clinical Nursing
Alternative exits
Contact information
Our friendly advisers are available to speak to you one-on-one about your study options, support services and how we can help you further your career.
Call us 1800 693 888 (Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm)
Live Chat Mon–Thurs, 8am–7pm, Fri 8am–5pm
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 by 2026,** there is an industry demand for nurses with sophisticated specialty skills. Our Graduate Diploma of Cardiac Nursing will allow you to meet that demand in a senior role in advanced practice, leadership, management and education across a range of settings including:
- acute cardiac units
- cardiac rehabilitation and community care
- cardiac catheter laboratories
- coronary care units
- clinical nurse educator.
**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 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.
| Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | Demonstrate advanced clinical practice commensurate with cardiac care nursing theoretical knowledge, evidence-based practice and person-centred care. |
| Communication | Demonstrate advanced communication skills to ensure the delivery of high quality, safe nursing care to patients in the cardiac care setting. |
| Digital literacy | Evaluate information using digital technologies to effectively disseminate relevant cardiac care information to patients and/or the multidisciplinary team. |
| Critical thinking | Identify, analyse and evaluate complex data from multiple sources to inform clinical decision making in the cardiac care setting. |
| Problem solving | Apply advanced nursing knowledge to complex problems in the cardiac care setting to optimise patient outcomes |
| Self-management | Demonstrate professionalism, accountability, reflection, and personal autonomy as a cardiac nurse. |
| Teamwork | Establish and maintain inclusive, collaborative professional relationships with all members of the multidisciplinary team. |
| Global citizenship | Demonstrate 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