Graduate Certificate in Emergency Nursing

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

The Graduate Certificate in Emergency Nursing program enables registered nurses to develop advanced knowledge and specialist skills in the emergency nursing environment and addresses the core competencies related to emergency nursing.

Advance Your career in emergency nursing 

Leverage your nursing expertise and dedication to patient care to create a meaningful impact in emergency and critical care settings. With a strong foundation in clinical practice and leadership, you'll graduate equipped to take on specialised roles in emergency nursing and drive impactful change within healthcare settings. 

Highlights of studying specialist emergency nursing practice

• Gain essential knowledge in emergency care principles and the management of common emergency presentations based on the latest evidence and clinical best practices. 
• Develop knowledge and skills for application to triage, prioritisation and the effective assessment of clinical skills in emergency nursing. 
• Strengthen your leadership abilities by critically appraising change management, leadership and organisational theories, and apply them to your own nursing practice and healthcare organisations. 
• Engage in expert-led, small-group discussions and interactive learning environments to develop your leadership and clinical decision-making skills.

Recommended study pattern

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

• Advanced Health Assessment
• Managing Complex Clients
• Transforming and Leading Healthcare
• Foundations for Specialist Emergency 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

For the award of Graduate Certificate in Emergency Nursing (GCertEmergN), you must successfully

Complete 40 credit points comprising:

• 40 credit points for all 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.

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QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

18

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

21

To be eligible for admission to the Graduate Certificate in Emergency Nursing, you must have:

• A recognised Bachelor of Nursing degree (or higher); AND
• Current or temporary, unrestricted registration as a registered nurse with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra); AND
• Be working with emergency presentations for a minimum of two days per week.

Degrees from overseas institution 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 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.