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.

Advance your expertise and make a real difference with the Graduate Certificate in Acute Care Nursing. You’ll gain the advanced clinical, leadership and decision-making skills needed to provide safe, effective and compassionate care in fast-paced, high-pressure environments. 

Highlights of studying the Graduate Certificate in Acute Care Nursing 

• Advance your clinical skills to manage acute care patients holistically, addressing physiological, psychological and social needs. 
• Apply advanced interventions and decision-making to deliver optimal care for critically ill patients across varied settings. 
• Strengthen leadership capabilities to drive innovation and improve patient outcomes in healthcare. 
• Critically evaluate leadership, change management and organisational theory, applying insights to real healthcare contexts. 
• Enhance problem-solving and critical thinking through case studies, simulated scenarios and expert-led discussions. 

Study with Australia’s leading nursing educators

Ranked No. 1 in Australia and among the top universities globally for nursing and midwifery, Griffith offers a culture of excellence in teaching, research and clinical practice. You’ll learn from industry experts with extensive acute care experience, ensuring your education is grounded in best practice and aligned with the evolving healthcare landscape. 

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.