Graduate Diploma
Critical care nurses work in some of the most complex health environments across emergency departments, ICUs and other high dependency units. The advanced specialist skills required to manage and provide care to the critically ill as part of a multidisciplinary team are in demand now more than ever across regional, rural or metropolitan hospitals. Deakin's Graduate Diploma of Critical Care Nursing prepares you to meet that demand.
Ranked #16 in the world,* our School of Nursing and Midwifery is one of the largest and best in Australia. By studying your Graduate Diploma of Critical Care Nursing at Deakin, you will be guided through industry-informed coursework by experts in critical care nursing and have access to the School's extensive cutting-edge research, which is recognised as well above world standard.^
Are you ready to provide expert care to critically ill patients across a range of complex settings?
If you want to take the next step in your nursing career, our Graduate Diploma of Critical Care Nursing prepares you to practise effectively at an advanced practice level. As a graduate you will demonstrate ethical, safe, high-quality and expert clinical decision-making abilities within a multidisciplinary team. You will also gain psychomotor skills commensurate with specialised theoretical knowledge, evidence-based practice and person-centred care.
As a student of Deakin's Graduate Diploma of Critical Care Nursing you will be challenged to advance your professional judgement by exploring the current and emerging trends, concepts, knowledge and evidence that provides the policy and practice framework around the speciality care of the critically ill.
Deakin's strong industry connections ensure a high level of collaboration and support during your clinical practice. This means that while you study you can immerse yourself in your speciality practice area with one of our numerous metropolitan, rural and regional health partners across Australia.
This course enables you to:
Second year elective units allow you to pursue your specific areas of interest and career goals. You can choose from complementary areas of practice to your specialisation, or undertake studies preparing you for roles in education, leadership or management. You will also have the opportunity to select a unit from anywhere across the university, further expanding your skill set.
Our innovative online program delivers a rich, interactive and empowering learning experience designed for postgraduate nurses. Live-streaming seminars and class discussions encourage critical thinking, problem-solving and teamwork skills. Australia's top-rated tech support and access to our expert teaching staff means you can learn at your own pace, when and where it suits you, without compromising quality or support.
You will be challenged to become a leader in evidence-based practice, and a change agent to improve the quality of nursing care and patient outcomes of the critically ill.
Graduates are prepared to handle the contemporary challenges critical care nurses may face in a course that responds to industry trends and demands, and expectations from professional bodies. You will learn how to make a difference through roles in areas such as practice, education, leadership and research.
* 2023 ShanghaiRankings Ranking of Academic Subjects.
^ Excellence in Research Australia (ERA) 2018.
With job growth of 12.2% projected for registered nurses and 12.1% for nurse managers by 2028,# there is an industry demand for nurses with sophisticated specialty skills. Our Graduate Diploma of Critical Care Nursing allows you to meet that demand in a variety of roles across advanced practice, leadership, management and education in regional, rural or metropolitan hospitals including:
# Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections
To complete the Graduate Diploma of Critical Care Nursing, student must attain 8 credit points, comprising of 6 credit points of core (compulsory) units, plus 2 credit points of electives, of which 1 must be from the course electives, the remaining 1
The core critical care nursing specialisation units are completed in year one of the course and are semester-based delivery.
Both the theoretical and clinical components of the assessment for each unit must be passed in order to successfully gain an overall pass in this course. Compulsory clinical hurdles form part of the assessment of this course.
Note: Failure of a compulsory clinical component in a unit will normally lead to exclusion.
All commencing Faculty of Health Undergraduate and Postgraduate course work students are required to complete DAI001 Academic Integrity Module (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first trimester of study.
If you have completed previous studies which you believe may reduce the number of units you have to complete at Deakin, indicate in the appropriate section on your application that you wish to be considered for Recognition of prior learning. You will need to provide a certified copy of your previous course details so your credit can be determined. If you are eligible, your offer letter will then contain information about your Recognition of prior learning.
You can also refer to the Recognition of prior learning system which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree.