Graduate Certificate in Nursing

A Graduate Certificate in Nursing at Adelaide University is a short postgraduate qualification for registered nurses who want to build on their existing registration and move into a specialist area or a more senior clinical role. It usually takes about six months of full-time study, or the equivalent part-time, and is made up of a small number of units of study, often four, each carrying a set number of credit points. Because it sits at AQF level 8, it assumes you already hold a bachelor degree in nursing and current registration as a nurse in Australia.

What you study

The coursework is focused and clinical. Depending on the specialisation, you might study advanced assessment, pathophysiology, pharmacology, quality and safety, clinical leadership, or the care of particular patient groups. Teaching is delivered through a mix of lectures, tutorials, online learning and simulated practice, with assessment through essays, case studies, exams and clinical portfolios. Some pathways include supervised clinical practice in a hospital, community health service or aged care setting, where you work under the supervision of an experienced nurse and have your practice assessed against the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia's standards for practice. If you are already working as a nurse, your employer may support you to complete the clinical component in your own workplace.

How it fits together

Australian postgraduate coursework qualifications are built from units of study, each with a credit point value. A graduate certificate is typically half a year of full-time study and can often be credited towards a graduate diploma or master's degree in the same field, so it is a common stepping stone if you want to keep studying. There is no research thesis at this level. The focus is on applying evidence to your own clinical practice. If you are an international student, you will need to meet the university's English language requirement for nursing, which is higher than for most coursework programs, IELTS Academic 7.0 to 7.5 overall is the usual standard for nursing, with equivalent scores accepted from TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and the university's own English programs. The Department of Home Affairs also sets its own English threshold for the Student visa, separate from the university's requirement.

Who it suits

This qualification suits registered nurses who are already working and want a formal postgraduate credential without committing to a full master's degree. It is also useful for nurses returning to practice, or for those moving from one clinical area into another, such as emergency, critical care, paediatrics, mental health or aged care. If you are an international student, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session, and you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream after you finish, depending on your circumstances. Adelaide's health sector includes major public and private hospitals, community health organisations and aged care providers, and the university has links with these services for clinical placements and research. Check the official course page and the CRICOS register for the exact units, English requirement, intake dates and tuition for this course.

• Registered Nurse (specialist area), hospitals, day surgery, community health and aged care providers across Australia.
• Clinical Nurse, public and private hospital wards, often after further experience and postgraduate study.
• Nurse Educator, hospitals, health services and vocational education providers.
• Nurse Unit Manager (entry pathway), public and private hospitals, with experience.
• Community Health Nurse, primary health networks, Aboriginal community controlled health organisations and local councils.
• Aged Care Nurse, residential aged care and home care providers.
• Practice Nurse, general practices and GP clinics.
• Clinical Research Nurse, hospitals, research institutes and clinical trials units.