Graduate Certificate in Nursing Practice (GC-NP)

The Graduate Certificate in Nursing Practice is a 50-credit point clinical coursework program designed to advanced nurses’ knowledge and skills for professional practice in a range of clinical settings including: acute and sub-acute settings. The course is nationally and international relevant, providing students with a sound understanding of the scientific knowledge and evidence that underpins knowledge and skill development in nursing practice. Students will develop the ability to apply knowledge to understand the practice of providing nursing care to individuals experiencing acute alterations in their health status.

The Graduate Certificate in Nursing Practice is a flexible course offered to practising nurses working full-time (3 days a week or minimum 24 hours a week for the duration of the course) over 1 year (four terms) or over 1.5 years (six terms). The course has a Specialist Certificate exit point within its nested structure and graduate attributes are aligned with those of The Melbourne Graduate.

The Graduate Certificate in Nursing Practice provides students with advanced knowledge and skills for advanced nursing practice and provides a pathway for further learning including, the Masters of Advanced Nursing and the Masters of Advanced Nursing Practice.

Students undertaking the Graduate Certificate in Nursing Practice complete three 12.5 credit-point core compulsory subjects, including Applied Pathophysiology, Nursing Specialty 1 and Nursing Specialty 2. Students undertaking the Graduate Certificate in Nursing Practice complete two 6.25 credit-point subjects, including Nursing Practice 1 and Nursing Practice 2.

Students completing Nursing Specialty 2 and Nursing Practice 2, select one of the following speciality pathways, depending on their area of clinical practice:

• Nursing Specialty 2 and Nursing Practice 2 (Cardiorespiratory)
• Nursing Specialty 2 and Nursing Practice 2 (Diabetes & Renal)

The course delivers theoretical content through online study and the student’s employing hospital provides clinical practice in a hospital setting. Students begin the course by enrolling in Applied Pathophysiology, which is the pre-requisite subject to Nursing Speciality 1 and Nursing Practice 1.