Prior to 31 December 2015

To be read in conjunction with the requirements for the course in which you are enrolled:

The Critical Care Nursing specialisation is an 18-unit program offered by the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences. 

Admission requirements

Applicants must normally hold an approved degree or equivalent qualification and must be registered nurses and must hold a current practising certificate. In addition, applicants must have a minimum of one year post-registration experience (6 months of which should be in relevant clinical area) and must provide a supporting statement from their employer stating their willingness to facilitate the extended clinical practice components of the course within their workplace and/or providence evidence that an affiliated health agency will facilitate the clinical practice in a supernumerary capacity.

However, the Board may, under certain circumstances and subject to specific conditions, admit others who can show evidence of fitness for candidature.

In addition, International applicants must be eligible to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, unless otherwise indicated, to be eligible to apply.

Course aims

The course aims to provide the opportunity for individuals from any professional background who are working in health related areas to deepen the knowledge base on which their practice is grounded. 

Learning outcomes

Graduates of this course are expected to be able to:

  • meet the standards of specialist practice, at a beginner-level, of the Australian College of Critical Care Nurses
  • utilise their critical care knowledge, skills, competencies and problem solving skills to analyse and critique delivery of specialist nursing care in the current health care context
  • utilise evidence-based nursing research skills to plan, implement and evaluate care provision in critical care environments.

Program of study

To qualify for the Graduate Certificate in Health (Critical Care Nursing), a student must complete 18 units as specified below with a grade of Pass or NGP or better in each topic.

The award of a grade of Fail (F) in the same topic on more than one occasion or in 9 units or more, or failure to complete the course within two consecutive years may constitute prima facie evidence of unsatisfactory progress for the purposes of the University''s Policy on Student Progress.

A student who fails the clinical component of any topic will receive a fail grade for the entire topic.

Except with permission of the Faculty Board:

  • no topic may be attempted more than twice
  • the program must be completed in one semester full-time or two consecutive semesters part-time
  • a student may not include a topic which repeats work previously undertaken.

Core topic

 NURS8620  Critical Care 1  (9 units)

Option topics

plus one of

 NURS8612  Clinical Specialty: Negotiated Study*  (9 units) 
 NURS8621  Critical Care 2  (9 units)

*enrolment subject to the approval of the specialisation coordinator