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Australian College of Nursing (ACN)

Graduate Certificate in Alcohol and Other Drugs Nursing

  • Graduate Certificate

The aim of this course is to encourage professional and ethical understanding of evidence-based clinical practice development in alcohol and other drugs nursing. It will provide students with an understanding of substance use issues from both an individual and public health perspective.

Key details

Degree Type
Graduate Certificate
Study Mode
Online
Intake Months
Jan, Jul

About this course

The aim of this course is to encourage professional and ethical understanding of evidence-based clinical practice development in alcohol and other drugs nursing. It will provide students with an understanding of substance use issues from both an individual and public health perspective. The course covers assessment, treatment and nursing care of people experiencing alcohol and other drug dependence. The course aims to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to improve health outcomes for those experiencing issues with substance use through the coordination and provision of person-centred care in this growing speciality.

Entry requirements

Applicants for the Graduate Certificate in Alcohol and Other Drugs Nursing must have at least one years' work experience in alcohol and other drug nursing or a related field.

In addition, applicants must satisfy any pre-requisites or additional requirements specified for particular courses, including ACN's general eligibility criteria. All applicants seeking admission are required to:

  • hold a Bachelor of Nursing or registered nurse* equivalent qualification
  • hold current registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA); or the equivalent registering authority in your country of origin
  • meet the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia English language skills registration standard (nursing and midwifery) - please refer to the AHPRA website to download the standard
  • have a minimum of one year of postgraduate experience; and
  • be currently employed in the clinical area of specialisation*

*For some GC units of study, consideration may be given for applicants who are not registered nurses on an individual basis.

Study locations

Online

What you will learn

At successful completion of the course students should be able to:

  • Apply critical thinking/clinical reasoning skills to the assessment of the person living with alcohol and other drug issues, linking specialist theory to holistic clinical practice
  • Demonstrate specialist knowledge in the use of pharmacotherapies and psychosocial interventions for the treatment of persons in the context of alcohol and other drugs nursing practice
  • Apply current evidence-based research, including government policy and strategy, to enhance clinical decision-making skills and care planning in the context of alcohol and other drugs nursing practice
  • Develop advanced communication skills in order to establish therapeutic relationships with persons, their support network, and the interdisciplinary team to promote a holistic approach to alcohol and other drugs nursing care
  • Develop leadership, mentoring and educational skills to contribute to high standard alcohol and other drugs nursing practice, and facilitate quality improvement in this area
  • Critically reflect on the role of personal values and ethics as central to the development of culturally safe practice in alcohol and other drugs nursing practice

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