Graduate Certificate in Critical Care Nursing (GC-CCN)

You’re currently viewing the 2022 version of this course

Overview

Award title	Graduate Certificate in Critical Care Nursing
Year & campus	2022 — Parkville
Fees information	Subject EFTSL, level, discipline and census date
Study level & type	Graduate Coursework
AQF level	8
Credit points	50 credit points
Duration	12 months part-time

The Graduate Certificate in Critical Care Nursing is a 50 credit-point, blended delivery model of online and work integrated learning course. Students select one of two potential specialisations, either Intensive Care or Integrated Critical Care. The course provides students with a sound understanding of the theoretical knowledge and scientific advances that underpin the management of patients requiring specialist critical care. During the course students will apply critical care nursing knowledge in clinical practice, demonstrating their ability to competently care for patients with complex care requirements.

With clinical support from a health service employer, students will gain the knowledge and clinical skills required to understand core concepts relating to acute illnesses, diseases, and trauma in critical care services. They will also gain skills in critiquing evidence-based practice for the care management of patients and their families in these specialist areas.

The Graduate Certificate in Critical Care Nursing is a clinical coursework program of one year's duration. Students will typically take four 12.5 CP subjects across the year. On successful completion of this course, students may be eligible for entry to the Master of Advanced Nursing Practice.

Entry requirements

1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have:

Completed a Bachelor of Nursing or equivalent and;
Documented evidence of clinical practice within the preceding five years from the time of application
Current unrestricted registration as a Division 1 Registered Nurse with AHPRA or equivalent registration with an international health practitioner regulation agency
Clinical support from a partnering health service and be employed a minimum of three (3) days or 24 hours per week

Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection

2. In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:

Prior academic performance; and
Area of speciality practice and clinical experience

3. The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Academic Board rules on the use of selection instruments.

4. Applicants are required to satisfy the university’s English language requirements for graduate courses. For those applicants seeking to meet these requirements by one of the standard tests approved by the Academic Board, performance band 6.5 is required.

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook. Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this course, graduates should be able to:

Apply advanced knowledge of the scientific and research-based evidence that underpins critical care nursing with the competency standards for specialist critical care nurses
Assess, review and analyse patient health data to identify and explain the rationale for solutions to complex problems in critical care
Employ effective specialised technical skills in the delivery of specialist critical care
Communicate effectively with other members of the interprofessional healthcare team and people who are acutely or critically ill to facilitate effective individualised plans for care
Apply skills to critically appraise critical care nursing practice and to integrate relevant research evidence into effective individualised plans for people who are acutely and critically ill
Apply knowledge of human pathophysiology across the continuum of care to safely and effectively provide critical care that addresses actual and potential disease and treatment related health needs
Conduct planning and delivery of specialist critical care that meets the specific supportive care needs and experiences of people affected by acute illness or trauma
Initiate, plan, implement and evaluate an individualised, patient-centred, coordinated care plan in collaboration with the interprofessional healthcare team
Act to promote teamwork, wellbeing and collaboration with the interprofessional team and to achieve desired patient outcomes team.

Generic skills

A capacity to articulate their knowledge and understanding in oral and written modes of communication
A capacity to manage competing demands on time, including self-directed project work
Advanced competency in areas of nursing practice
Advanced skills and techniques applicable to the critical care nursing
Well-developed problem-solving abilities in the discipline area, characterised by flexibility of approach
An ability to evaluate and synthesise the research and professional literature in the specialist nursing practice
An appreciation of the ways in which advanced knowledge equips the student to begin to offer leadership skills in the specialist area.

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
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 community

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
Be well-informed citizens able to contribute to their communities wherever they choose to live and work.

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 understanding, with a high regard for human rights, equity and ethics.

Course structure

Two compulsory subjects: NURS90076 (12.5 points) and NURS90122 (12.5 points), then two subjects in the selected specialisation.

Four or Five compulsory subjects - depending on intake and duration

Students will commence the course with a prerequisite subject:

Code	Name	Study period	Credit Points
NURS90076	Applied Pathophysiology	Summer Term (Online) June (Online)	12.5

On successful completion of Applied Pathophysiology, students undertake:

Code	Name	Study period	Credit Points
NURS90122	Foundations of Critical Care Nursing	March (Online) September (Online)	12.5

then students must then pick one of the following specialisations:

Integrated Critical Care

Code	Name	Study period	Credit Points
NURS90152	Critical Care Nursing	June (Online)	12.5
NURS90099	Critical Care Nursing Practice	March (Off Campus)	12.5

Intensive Care

Code	Name	Study period	Credit Points
NURS90150	Intensive Care Nursing Practice	March (Off Campus)	12.5
NURS90151	Intensive Care Nursing	June (Online)	12.5

Students undertaking Intensive Care: Winter Intake (12-month duration) will enrol in the below two subjects in place of NURS90150:

Code	Name	Study period	Credit Points
NURS90161	Intensive Care Nursing Practice 1	September (Off Campus)	6.25
NURS90162	Intensive Care Nursing Practice 2	Not available in 2022	6.25

Majors, minors & specialisations

Name	Credit Points
Integrated Critical Care	25
Intensive Care	25

Last updated: 31 May 2023

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