Graduate Certificate in Nursing

Build your understanding of leadership, management and health care governance with our Graduate Certificate in Nursing.

Designed to further your career as a Registered Nurse, this qualification will equip you with advanced knowledge of the Australian healthcare system and progress your understanding of the social, political and economic factors that affect nursing and health services.

You will also develop sought after skills in policy analysis, and change and resource management.

This qualification is offered online, which is great news for students who are trying to fit study in among work and other commitments.

Only part-time study is available, over a minimum of one year.

However, depending on your course selections you may have some on-campus workshops.

Entry requirements

• hold a Bachelor degree in Nursing from a recognised higher education institution or equivalent; OR
• have completed hospital based training as a Registered Nurse.

• hold a Current Practising Certificate as a Registered Nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia; AND
• have completed a minimum of one year of clinical experience as a Registered Nurse.

This graduate certificate will provide you with advanced practical skills and knowledge to develop your understanding of the global issues, trends and practices that impact the delivery of nursing and health services.

You will cover topics such as policy analysis, change management, health care governance and leadership, and choose from the following courses:

• Leadership and Management in Nursing and Health Contexts
• Teaching and Learning Strategies for Health Professional Education
• Educational Assessment for Health Professionals
• Ageing in Contemporary Society
• Therapeutic Encounters in Mental Health.

For each course you study, you will need to allocate time for learning activities. Depending on your study mode this may include online discussion forums, virtual classroom sessions, lectures, tutorials, workshops and seminars. Plus you will need additional hours to study in your own time to complete assignments, readings and projects. As a general rule most postgraduate study is completed part-time and if you are studying full-time you would need to allocate 12 – 26 hours of study when at university and 14 – 28 hours of independent study per week.

Your studies will incorporate practical, professionally-focused and research-based learning, so assessment types will vary. You can expect them to include:

Learn from award-winning teaching staff, academics and health professionals via our online forums and virtual classrooms, giving you the opportunity to learn from experienced clinicians in the field and build valuable industry networks and relationships.

We also host regular University-wide employee master classes and employment expos, and alumni events in Australia and overseas.

Your career

Nurses play a key role at the forefront of healthcare service, with their contribution to client care imperative for the wellbeing of today's society.

The Graduate Certificate in Nursing prepares registered nurses to work in a diverse range of fields by extending their professional expertise. Graduates can work in a wide variety of nursing roles and will be well equipped to take on leadership and governance opportunities in a range of healthcare settings, such as:

• hospitals
• primary health and community support services
• aged/rehabilitative care
• schools
• home care
• drug/alcohol services
• community health organisations
• palliative care services
• child and adolescent health services.

Applying to study with us:

• check you meet the full entry requirements for this program
• go to the top of this page and make note of the SATAC code, then click Apply
• you will be redirected through to the SATAC website to continue your application

Our campuses have fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, tech zones, and areas that simulate real work environments. You’ll also find student gyms and campus sport activities to keep you active. We also offer flexible study options, with online resources available for accessing lecture recordings, virtual classrooms, library resources and learning support.

Adelaide has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation or private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages for plenty of options. If you need somewhere to live, our new student accommodation by urbanest is on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, a perfect location for students. It is within easy reach of UniSA’s city and metropolitan campuses, Rundle Mall shopping, the Central Market, Chinatown, and the West End’s vibrant nightlife. It is also across the road from the Adelaide train station, and on bus and tram routes.

Our student support services can make your life at university easier. We provide a full range of support services including academic and personal counselling. You can also access a range of services through our students association, USASA. When you become a UniSA student you can contact Campus Central for help with anything related to your degree. They will help you with your enrolment, ID cards, fees, timetables and any other questions you might have.

We have six campuses in metropolitan and regional areas, each with advanced facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, laboratories, and areas that simulate real work environments.