Graduate Certificate in Acute Care Nursing
Postgraduate
GRF-ACN-GCE 2026Course information for 2026 intake View information for 2025 course intake
For registered nurses advancing to leadership or specialisation
Revitalise your career with this postgraduate nursing course. Explore advanced and complex evidence-based practices. Apply critical thinking to healthcare leadership. Become a clinical specialist, or continue on the pathway to a Masters in Nursing.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Credit available
- Yes
- Duration
- 1 year part time
- Total subjects
- 4
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
- CSP available
- Yes
Graduate Certificate in Acute Care Nursing
About this degree
In the context of acute care nursing practice, graduates of the Graduate Certificate in Acute Care Nursing will have advanced knowledge of:
- The role of the nurse in advanced practice within the various clinical, political and professional contexts.
- The scientific and theoretical basis for the clinical assessment, management and care of acutely ill patients and groups with altered physiological function.
- The multiple legal, social, ethical, organisational and scope of practice implications and considerations for effective and informed advanced practice and professional role development.
- Contemporary concepts of leadership and management relevant to health services including standards, policies and legislation associated with advanced nursing practice.
- Research and evidence-base that informs quality and safe nursing practice and health care.
Start your path to becoming an Acute Care NurseÂ
Utilise your clinical expertise and passion for patient care to advance your career in acute care nursing. The Graduate Certificate in Acute Care Nursing will equip you with the advanced knowledge and skills needed to manage high-acuity patients across various healthcare settings, allowing you to make a significant impact on patient outcomes and care delivery.Â
Highlights of studying acute care nursing
- Build on your clinical skills to manage high-acuity patients, understanding their physiological, psychological and social needs, ensuring a holistic, patient-centred approach to care.Â
- Learn how to apply advanced clinical interventions and decision-making strategies to provide optimal care for critically ill patients in diverse healthcare environments.Â
- Develop leadership skills to drive change in the healthcare sector, using innovative strategies and personal influence to improve patient care and outcomes.Â
- Critically assess leadership, change management, and organisational theories, and apply them to your practice, empowering you to take on leadership roles in healthcare organisations.Â
- Engage in learning through case studies, real-world scenarios, and expert-led discussions, enhancing your problem-solving and critical thinking abilities.Â
Recommended study pattern
As a guide, correct subjects in this degree can include:Â
- Advanced Health AssessmentÂ
- 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.
Learn more about Griffith University.
Explore Griffith courses.
- QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 18
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 21
How to apply
Griffith University manages enquiries and applications for this degree.
Complete your details and we'll make sure your enquiry is sent to Griffith University who will contact you to discuss this degree.
Don't worry, we're still here to help you - you'll receive a personalised follow-up from an Open Universities Australia student advisor to make sure you have found the right degree for you.
Entry requirements
To be eligible for this program, you must meet the following criteria:
- a recognised Bachelor of Nursing degree (or higher)
- current or temporary, unrestricted registration as a registered nurse with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) or the professional registration body in your country of origin
Degrees from overseas institutions must be assessed as equivalent to a recognised Australian accredited qualification
Recognition of Prior Experience is a procedure available for registered nurses who do not have an undergraduate qualification to demonstrate ability to meet requirements. The School of Nursing and Midwifery will determine your eligibility for admission based on your 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
- ORÂ a minimum score of 575 on TOEFL
- ORÂ an internet-based (iBT) TOEFL score of 79 (no sub-score less than 19)
- ORÂ no score less than 3+ in each skill of the ISLPR (conducted by ISLPR Language Services only)
- ORÂ 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)
- ORÂ 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:Â
- Formal learning through courses completed at uni and TAFE.Â
- Informal learning through workplace experience or volunteer training.Â
- Non-formal learning through social experiences and hobbies.Â
Career opportunities
You will graduate with a strong foundation that prepares registered nurses to work effectively in high-pressure environments and advance into leadership roles such as:Â
- Acute Care Nurse SpecialistÂ
- Nurse Educator
- Medical/Surgical Unit NurseÂ
- Healthcare/Clinical Nurse Consultant specialising in acute care.Â
Australian job snapshots
Data sourced from Australian Jobs 2023.
Role | Earnings | Employment change |
---|---|---|
Nurse Educators and Researchers | $93K to $120K | Up 10.8% |
Nurse Managers | Over $120K | Up 19.9% |
Registered Nurses | $93K to $120K | Up 16.3% |