Graduate Certificate in Professional Nursing

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).

Higher education

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.

Work and Life

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 Proficiency Requirements

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. 

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.