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:

• 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 critically 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 critical care nursing practice
• research and evidence-base that informs quality and safe critical care nursing practice and health care.

The Graduate Certificate in Critical Care Nursing degree enables registered nurses to develop advanced knowledge and specialist skills in the critical care environment and address the core competencies related to critical care nursing.

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), a student must acquire 40 credit points as prescribed below:

• gain 40 credit points for prescribed core subjects.

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 Ranking 2024:

18

Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:

20

To be eligible for admission to the Graduate Certificate in Critical 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)

AND

• be working with critical care presentations for a minimum of two days per week.

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

Please be aware that Griffith University does not arrange registration or employment.

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 7.0 on IELTS (Academic) with no sub-score of less than 7.0
• OR a minimum score of 580 on TOEFL
• OR an internet-based (iBT) TOEFL score of 92 (no score less than 22)
• OR no score less than 4 in each skill of the ISLPR (conducted by ISLPR Language Services only)
• OR a minimum grade of C on the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)
• OR an overall score of 65 in the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with no score less than 58.

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.