Graduate Certificate in Professional Nursing
Postgraduate
GRF-PRN-GCE 2025Course information for 2025 intake View information for 2024 course intake
Add new skills to your nursing degree
Make well your nursing career by adding this additional qualification. Build advanced knowledge and specialist skills onto your core competencies, including managing complex clients and healthcare transformation.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Credit available
- Yes
- Duration
- 0 months
- Total subjects
- 4
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
- CSP available
- Yes
Graduate Certificate in Professional Nursing
About this degree
Graduates of the Graduate Certificate in Professional Nursing, will demonstrate:
- Knowledge of the role of the nurse in specialist practice in various professional and political contexts, taking into consideration the legal, social, and ethical factors that underpin professional role development
- Advanced knowledge of the scientific and theoretical basis for the health assessment of, and health management and health promotion with, patients and their families within a specific practice context
- Knowledge of the principles of transformational leadership and effective communication to participate in systems that support safe care, partnership and professional growth of themselves and others.
The Graduate Certificate in Professional Nursing will enable registered nurses to develop advanced knowledge and specialist skills to address the core competencies related to nursing.
Please note that successful completion of this program does not lead to eligibility to apply for registration as a nurse. Prospective students seeking eligibility to apply for registration should refer to the Bachelor of Nursing.
Recommended study pattern
This Graduate Certificate program is offered part-time only via online delivery.
As a guide, core subjects in this degree can include:
• Advanced Health Assessment
• Managing Complex Clients
• Transforming and Leading Healthcare
Plus there’s a selection of electives to choose from. 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 Graduate Certificate in Professional Nursing (GCertProfN), a student must acquire 40 credit points as prescribed below:
- gain 40 credit points for prescribed core courses.
Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative total fee $6,000
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 courses.
- QS Ranking 2024:
- 18
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 20
How to apply
Griffith University manages enquiries and applications for this degree.
Complete your details and we'll make sure your enquiry is sent to Griffith University who will contact you to discuss this degree.
Don't worry, we're still here to help you - you'll receive a personalised follow-up from an Open Universities Australia student advisor to make sure you have found the right degree for you.
Entry requirements
To be eligible for admission to the Graduate Certificate in Professional 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).
Degrees from overseas institutions must be assessed as equivalent to a recognised Australian accredited degree.
- a Bachelor of Nursing or equivalent degree from a recognised University (or another tertiary education institution of equivalent standing)
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.
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.
Career opportunities
You will be recognised for your advanced knowledge and skills in the advanced nursing practice environment.
Graduates from the Graduate Certificate in Professional Nursing may apply for entry to the Master of Advanced Nursing Practice (5721).
Career outlook
- Nurse Educators and Researchers:
- $93K to $120K
- Nurse Managers:
- Over $120K
- Registered Nurses:
- $93K to $120K