Graduate Diploma in Advanced Clinical Nursing

Upon successful completion, students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate advanced and integrated theoretical and technical nursing knowledge, incorporating evidence to inform clinical decision-making in practice within diverse healthcare contexts​;
2. Critically analyse, reflect on, and synthesise complex clinical information, problems, concepts, and theories to demonstrate advanced reasoning and adaptability in response to dynamic and evolving healthcare environments;
3. Interpret and apply established theories and evidence to advanced nursing practice, integrating specialist knowledge to inform culturally responsive, people-centred, high-quality care;
4. Effectively communicate and transmit complex clinical knowledge, skills, and ideas to both specialist and non-specialist audiences to support interdisciplinary collaboration and improve health outcomes.

The Graduate Diploma of Advanced Clinical Nursing will prepare you, as a registered nurse, to be an expert clinician and leader in contemporary healthcare environments. This program will equip you with advanced theoretical and technical knowledge to support evidence-informed clinical decision-making and deliver high-quality, people-centred care across diverse settings. You will critically analyse and synthesise complex clinical information to respond effectively to the evolving demands of healthcare practice. Through the integration of specialist knowledge, reflective practice, and critical reasoning, you will demonstrate the ability to lead change, promote culturally safe care, and improve health outcomes within interdisciplinary teams. 

Graduates of the Graduate Diploma of Advanced Clinical Nursing will be equipped to emerge as autonomous practitioners with advanced knowledge, expertise, adaptability and leadership.

As part of this course, you will develop your holistic care skills in advanced nursing practice, including people and family-centred health promotion. Specific knowledge in the areas of bioscience, evidence-based practice, contemporary healthcare concepts and the role of the advanced practice nurse will be explored and applied to your advanced clinical practice.

You will also build on your understanding of quality and safety, ethics and interpreting health research. You will also have the choice of two pathways to suit professional goals. The Project Stream focuses on concepts of leadership in healthcare, and the Research Stream focuses on expanding knowledge of research and biostatics.

ACU offers the option to take your innovation and leadership skills to the next level by continuing your study and enrolling in the Master of Advanced Clinical Nursing.

This course is ideal for healthcare professionals looking to become advanced practice nurses, clinical leaders, educational leaders. It supports transition into research or academic roles and the option of further postgraduate studies. Delivered as an asynchronous online course (from 1 full-time or equivalent part-time), the program accommodates busy healthcare professionals' schedules.

Recommended study pattern

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

• Advanced Pathophysiology for Specialty Nursing Practice
• Healthcare Ethics: Principles in Practice
• Quality and Safety in Health Care
• Evidence-based, Person-centred Family Care in Specialty 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 qualify for the Graduate Diploma in Advanced Clinical Nursing, a student must complete 80 cp from the Schedule of Unit Offerings, consisting of:

• 50 cp from Specified Units 
• 10 cp from Advanced Clinical Practice Units
• 10 cp from Advanced Professional Practice Units 
• 10 cp from Project Stream Units OR 10cp from Research Stream Units

View units: https://www.acu.edu.au/handbook/Handbook-2027/course/Graduate-Diploma-in-Advanced-Clinical-Nursing-Online

Exit points

A student who has completed the requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Clinical Nursing may exit with the relevant award.

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $7,166

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.

Australian Catholic University – So much more

An Australian Catholic University (ACU) education is grounded in the Catholic understanding of faith and reason working together in the pursuit of knowledge, promotion of human dignity, and advancement of the common good.

ACU aims to transform lives and communities. Students are challenged to look beyond the classroom, solve real-world problems, develop their own search for meaning and cultivate strong professional ethics. They are invited to stand up for people in need and causes that matter.

Opportunities for personal and professional growth are critical to ACU. It is a university of service – so much so that it is built into the curricula. All ACU courses offer work placements, internships or volunteering opportunities.

Learn more about Australian Catholic University

Explore Australian Catholic University courses

QS World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

33

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

27

To be eligible for admission to the Graduate Diploma in Clinical Nursing, an applicant must:

• have completed a Bachelor of Nursing degree or equivalent; AND
• hold current registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra).

An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.

If your prior study or relevant work experience has provided you with knowledge, skills or experience aligned with the learning outcomes of units in your new course, you may be eligible to gain credit for study or have your prior learning recognised. This means you may be able to complete your ACU course in a shorter timeframe.