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.

Start your path to becoming an Acute Care Nurse 

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. 

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. 
• Learn how to apply advanced clinical interventions and decision-making strategies to provide optimal care for critically ill patients in diverse healthcare environments. 
• Develop leadership skills to drive change in the healthcare sector, using innovative strategies and personal influence to improve patient care and outcomes. 
• Critically assess leadership, change management, and organisational theories, and apply them to your practice, empowering you to take on leadership roles in healthcare organisations. 
• Engage in learning through case studies, real-world scenarios, and expert-led discussions, enhancing your problem-solving and critical thinking abilities. 

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.

Learn more about Griffith University.

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QS World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

18

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

20

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
• 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.