Graduate Certificate in Nursing Practice (Neonatal Intensive Care) (GC-NPNICU) // Attributes, outcomes and skills

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Intended learning outcomes

The Graduate Certificate aims to provide the opportunity for nurses to extend their undergraduate nursing knowledge and skills into an area of specialty nursing practice. Upon completion of the course it is therefore expected that students should have:



  • a sound understanding of the scientific knowledge and research based evidence that underpins skill development specific to a specialty area of nursing practice;
  • the ability theoretical knowledge to understand the practice of providing care to individuals experiencing specific disturbances to health and well-being that require specialty nursing interventions;
  • skills in critical inquiry relevant to a chosen specialty area of nursing practice;
  • the ability to communicate an understanding of the theoretical basis for practice both verbally and in a written form;
  • problem solving skills appropriate for delivery and evaluation of patient care as a specialty practice nurse;
  • life long learning skills that facilitate knowledge and skill development as a specialty practice nurse and the ability to undertake ongoing professional development in preparation for more advanced levels of specialty practice;
  • demonstrated clinical competencies in a workplace environment assessed by clinical experts to be at a beginning competency level as benchmarked against Australian specialty practice competencies.

Graduate attributes

The Melbourne Experience enables our graduates to become:

  • Academically excellent:
    • have a strong sense of intellectual integrity and the ethics of scholarship
    • have in-depth knowledge of their specialist discipline(s)
    • reach a high level of achievement in writing, generic research activities, problem-solving and communication
    • be critical and creative thinkers, with an aptitude for continued self-directed learning
    • be adept at learning in a range of ways, including through information and communication technologies
  • Knowledgeable across disciplines:
    • examine critically, synthesise and evaluate knowledge across a broad range of disciplines
    • expand their analytical and cognitive skills through learning experiences in diverse subjects
    • have the capacity to participate fully in collaborative learning and to confront unfamiliar problems
    • have a set of flexible and transferable skills for different types of employment
  • Leaders in communities:
    • initiate and implement constructive change in their communities, including professions and workplaces
    • have excellent interpersonal and decision-making skills, including an awareness of personal strengths and limitations
    • mentor future generations of learners
    • engage in meaningful public discourse, with a profound awareness of community needs
  • Attuned to cultural diversity:
    • value different cultures
    • be well-informed citizens able to contribute to their communities wherever they choose to live and work
    • have an understanding of the social and cultural diversity in our community
    • respect indigenous knowledge, cultures and values
  • Active global citizens:
    • accept social and civic responsibilities
    • be advocates for improving the sustainability of the environment

have a broad global understanding, with a high regard for human rights, equity and ethics

Last updated: 18 December 2020