Graduate Certificate in Acute Care Nursing

In the context of acute care nursing practice, graduates of the Graduate Certificate in Acute Care Nursing will have advanced knowledge of:

1. the role of the nurse in advanced practice within the various clinical, political and professional contexts
2. the scientific and theoretical basis for the clinical assessment, management and care of acutely ill patients and groups with altered physiological function
3. the multiple legal, social, ethical, organisational and scope of practice implications and considerations for effective and informed advanced practice and professional role development
4. contemporary concepts of leadership and management relevant to health services including standards, policies and legislation associated with advanced nursing practice
5. research and evidence-base that informs quality and safe nursing practice and health care.

The Graduate Certificate in Acute Care Nursing program enables registered nurses to develop advanced knowledge and specialist skills in the Acute Care environment and addresses the core competencies related to Acute Care Nursing.

Recommended study pattern

As a guide, correct subjects in this degree can include: 

• Advanced Health Assessment 
• Managing Complex Clients
• Transforming and Leading Healthcare
• Management of High Acuity Clients

As part of your application, you’ll be guided through how to get the right degree structure in place for you.

Award requirements

To be eligible for the award of the Graduate Certificate in Acute Care Nursing (GCertAcuteCareN), a student must successfully complete 40 credit points, made up of:

• 40 credit points for the Foundation Module.

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $4,000

The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

With a network of campuses spanning three cities in South East Queensland, Griffith University is committed to progressive multidisciplinary teaching and research and a valuable online provider with Open Universities Australia. Already attracting students from over one hundred countries, Griffith's dedication to academic excellence is available across Australia through OUA.

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QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

18

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

21

To be eligible for admission to the Graduate Certificate in Acute Care Nursing, applicants must hold:

• a Bachelor of Nursing or equivalent degree from a recognised University (or another tertiary education institution of equivalent standing)

AND

• current or temporary unrestricted registration as a nurse with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

Degrees from overseas institutions must be assessed as equivalent to a recognised Australian accredited qualification.

The School of Nursing and Midwifery has instituted a Recognition of Prior Experience (RPE) procedure for registered nurses who do not have an undergraduate qualification. Applicants will be assessed on their ability to demonstrate eligibility requirements. The School of Nursing and Midwifery will determine eligibility for admission into the requested program based on application, curriculum vitae and referee reports.

English language requirements apply to international applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this program are as follows:

• A minimum overall band score of 6.5 on IELTS (Academic) with no sub-score of less than 6.0
• OR a minimum score of 575 on TOEFL
• OR an internet-based (iBT) TOEFL score of 79 (no sub-score less than 19)
• OR no score less than 3+ in each skill of the ISLPR (conducted by ISLPR Language Services only)
• OR a minimum overall score of 176 (no score less than 169) on C1 Advanced (formerly Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English) or C2 Proficiency (formerly Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English)
• OR an overall score of 58 in the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with no score less than 50.

All applicants who hold current unrestricted registration as a Nurse with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) are deemed to have met the English language requirements for admission to the program due to the requirements outlined in the Registration Standard (English Language Skills) set by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).

English test results must be no more than two years old.

The Direct Entry Program (DEP) pathway is not accepted for this program.

Reduce the time it takes to finish your degree. You can apply to Griffith to recognise your prior learning, including: 

• Formal learning through courses completed at uni and TAFE. 
• Informal learning through workplace experience or volunteer training. 
• Non-formal learning through social experiences and hobbies.