Graduate Certificate in Critical Care Nursing

In the context of critical care nursing practice, graduates of the Graduate Certificate in Critical 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 critically 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 in critical care.
4. Contemporary concepts of leadership and management relevant to health services including standards, policies and legislation associated with advanced critical care nursing practice.
5. Research and evidence-base that informs quality and safe critical care nursing practice and health care.

Prepare to make a difference when it matters most with the Graduate Certificate in Critical Care Nursing. Build your confidence, refine your clinical expertise and lead in fast-moving, high-stakes situations where every decision counts, providing exceptional care to critically ill patients. 

Highlights of studying the Graduate Certificate in Critical Care Nursing 

Deepen critical thinking and problem-solving to manage complex therapeutic interventions, applying evidence-based research to enhance patient care. 

Develop leadership and change management expertise to drive transformation and improve outcomes in healthcare organisations. 

Master evidence-based health assessments and advanced clinical problem-solving to manage complex cases with a patient and family-centred approach. 

Learn in expert-led, small-group settings that support applying knowledge and skills to real clinical cases. 

Learn from Australia’s top nursing educators 

Ranked No. 1 in Australia and among the world’s best for nursing and midwifery, Griffith delivers excellence in teaching, research and clinical practice. Guided by industry professionals with extensive critical care expertise, you’ll gain an education that reflects best practice and adapts to the evolving demands of healthcare. 

Recommended study pattern

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

• Advanced Health Assessment
• Managing Complex Clients
• Transforming and Leading Healthcare 
• Foundations of Critical Care Nursing Practice.

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 Critical Care Nursing (GCertCritCareN), you 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
• Current employment as a registered nurse, working with critical care presentations for a minimum of two days per week

Current employment is demonstrated with a currently dated confirmation letter from your Nurse Unit Manager or Educator on your hospital letterhead must be submitted with your application

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

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.

Applicants should refer to the English language requirements section of the following University policy for exceptions to these overall requirements:

• Postgraduate Programs Admission Policy

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.