Graduate Certificate in Critical Care Nursing

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
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. 

Australia's #1 university for nursing and midwifery. (ShanghaiRanking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2025)

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 

• 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. 

This degree is part of Griffith GO, our 100% online, on-demand degrees that let you start when you're ready, study at your own pace and learn from anywhere.  

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

Explore Griffith University courses

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, unrestricted registration as a registered nurse with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra)
• 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 and must be submitted with your application.

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 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 Cambridge C1 Advanced or Cambridge C2 Proficiency
• OR an overall score of 58 in the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with no score less than 50 (applies to tests taken prior to 7 August 2025)
• OR an overall score of 55 in the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with no score less than 47 (applies to tests taken on or after 7 August 2025)
• OR an overall score of 70 in the LanguageCert Academic
• OR an overall score of 59 in the Michigan English Test (MET)

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 procedure for exceptions to these overall requirements:

• Admission Procedure

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.