Graduate Certificate
The Graduate Certificate in Primary Care Nursing has been developed by experienced primary care nurses and general practitioners. The course delivers comprehensive and evidenced based education in chronic disease management, preventive health, and advanced nursing practice. The elective can be taken from related disciplines such as those offered by population and adolescent health.
Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) will be available in 2021 for eligible domestic students. Places are limited.
Completing the certificate will provide you with the clinical skills and theoretical knowledge to increase your scope of practice and provide comprehensive and evidence-based patient care.
Take on subjects from chronic disease management, health promotion and preventative health through to immunisation and sexual health.
Access to vital practical and theoretical learning awaits nurses who undertake the Graduate Certificate in Primary Care Nursing. Develop your existing nursing skills in caring for patients with on-line theory combined with tasks completed in the workplace. The program's versatility also means you'll be able to tailor your study time around your existing professional workload.
This course will also help create stronger pathways to further study, including Masters of Advanced Nursing Practice (Nurse Practitioner).
OpportunitiesGraduates from this course are able to enhance their nursing career by gaining the clinical skills and knowledge to increase their current scope of practice. This course also allows you to increase your provision of comprehensive evidence-based patient care.
As a student of the course, you have the opportunity to become a nurse immuniser by completing the Immunisation and Travel Health subject.
Unlike comparable courses at other universities, this program includes a clinical placement - usually within a council or in a general practice. This is an extremely valuable component of the course, as it is offers graduates a considerable advantage when it comes to finding employment, especially in local government.
Applications for 2021 mid-year intake are now open and close on 5 July 2021. Late applications for full-fee places will be considered.
More information
IF YOU DO NOT FIND THE ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS HERE PLEASE CONTACT THE COURSE COORDINATOR
Course coordinator Tracy Murphy email tracym@unimelb.edu.au
DO I NEED TO PRODUCE THE DOCUMENTS FOR SUBJECTS WITH A CLINICAL PLACEMENT IN ORDER TO ENROL?
No, you will be provided instructions on how to complete compliance once you have accepted your offer and enrolled in the subject.
DO I NEED TO BE WORKING IN GENERAL PRACTICE OR PRIMARY CARE?
The course has been developed for nurses working in general practice. Some of the learning activities are designed to be completed in the practice environment. Students working outside of primary care have successfully completed the course in the past. Please discuss your individual circumstances with the course coordinator.
HOW DO I ENROL IN A SINGLE SUBJECT SUCH AS THE IMMUNISATION COURSE?
Single units of study are taken through the Community Access Program (CAP). This is useful when students wish to 'road test' a subject prior to enrolling in a course or when they only wish to study a specific unit. These subjects are assessed and can be credited to the Graduate Certificate in Primary Care Nursing subject to University Policy.
For more information about the Community Access Program, please refer to the Single Subject Study page.
WHAT IS THE COURSE CODE FOR CAP SUBJECTS?
Please enter NA_CAPPG
CAN I GET CREDIT TOWARDS THE MASTER OF NURSING PROGRAMS RUN BY THE DEPARTMENT OF NURSING?
Yes, a graduate certificate will satisfy the entry requirements for the Master of Advanced Nursing Practice (including the nurse practitioner program).
IS YOUR IMMUNISATION COURSE RECOGNISED IN OTHER STATES?
The course is recognised in South Australia. New South Wales and Queensland require an application to be made for recognition in their state (fee applies) details are provided in the course material. The NT will recognise the qualification for 6 months whilst you undertake a refresher course. There is no recognised nurse immuniser role in the Australian Capital Territory. The course is not recognised in Tasmania. Please check with the individual State Health Authority before enrolling in this course in case information has changed.
Do YOU OFFER A NURSE CERVICAL SCREENING COURSE?
Nurses wishing to complete a cervical screening course should complete the elective Clinical Sexual & Reproductive Health (POPH90070). This is run via the School of Population Health and Melbourne Sexual Health Centre
HOW MUCH OF THE COURSE CAN BE COMPLETED IN THE DISTANCE MODE?
The three core subjects are online. If you choose an online elective, then the course can be completed fully on-line.
Learning activities included in the subject include patient data audits and interviews. If you are not working in a primary care, please contact the course coordinator to ensure you can meet the learning outcomes and complete the assessments for the course.
DO I NEED AN INTERNET CONNECTION TO COMPLETE THE COURSE?
All course materials and assessment are provided online. You will need adequate computer hardware, software, and a reliable internet connection to complete the subjects. Assignments must be submitted directly via Turnitin the online web-based software that is connected to Learning Management System (LMS).
HOW LONG DOES THE COURSE USUALLY TAKE?
The graduate certificate is usually completed part time over one year although from 2021 it can be completed full time over 6 months. Each subject is equivalent to 170 hours of study. Students should evaluate their study load, work, and family commitments before enrolling in multiple subjects. The Graduate Certificate must be completed within three years.
CAN I GET ADVANCED STANDING (ALSO KNOWN AS RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING OR CREDIT)?
Credit will only be considered for core subjects. Students must provide evidence to show the learning outcomes in the subject for which credit is requested are equivalent to the core subject learning outcomes. Students should complete a request for credit during the enrolment process. Credit will also be provided for the University of Melbourne Immunisation (Nurse Immuniser) program. This must be completed before you commence the Graduate Certificate in Primary Care Nursing.
CAN I TAKE TIME OFF FROM MY SUBJECT?
Yes, you can apply for leave of absence (LOA) for up to 12 months.