Graduate Certificate in Acute and Critical Care Nursing

Transform your passion for patient care into a world of new and unlimited possibilities, with a Graduate Certificate in Acute and Critical Care Nursing. Western is ranked number one in Australia for Nursing. We can show you how to be a leader in your field. And change lives for the better.

Graduate Certificate in Acute and Critical Care Nursing

Duration

Full Time: 6 Months (Available Part Time)

Next Start Date

04 March 2024

22 July 2024

Closing Date

Campuses
Hawkesbury UAC 950542 Parramatta South UAC 950543
Domestic Student Fees
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Indicative annual fee from $11,885

Additional Information

Program Code: 4749

The choice for nursing

You have a driving ambition to be there for patients when they need you most. It’s in your nature. And it’s what makes you the perfect candidate for Western’s Graduate Certificate in Acute and Critical Care Nursing. As the top ranked Nursing School in Australia and fourth in the world for Nursing by the Centre for World University Rankings, this innovative postgraduate program is for you. It’s a chance to take your career as a Registered Nurse to a whole new level. It develops your clinical judgement and gives you the skills and theoretical knowledge to deliver quality patient care in a range of acute settings.
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Elevate Your Career

With a postgraduate degree from Western you can elevate your career. Expand your knowledge, develop new networks and enhance your career prospects with us. 

Apply now for 2024!

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Test

Learn from the best

Western Sydney University has been ranked the number one Nursing School in Australia by Centre for World University Rankings - CWUR, and in the Top 50 in the world, QS World University Ranking.

What you can expect to study

The program structure is outlined in our handbook. Here you can view all of the subjects you will be studying.

B Advanced Science

You can choose from the following majors:

We are all confronted with the challenge of leadership, regardless of nursing speciality, role or status. Encompassed within leadership is knowledge of self, relevant theories, skills and political awareness which are developed through higher education. By developing leadership skills and knowledge we can influence better outcomes for our patients/clients and create more positive working environments. In the unit, Leadership in Clinical Practice, nursing leadership arising from expert clinical practice is explored as a general notion rather than as one arising from within any particular clinical speciality. Content includes theories, concepts and styles of leadership, the development of leadership potential, motivation, coaching, and mentorship, concepts of power, authority and empowerment and discussion of contemporary leadership issues. Assignments provide students with the opportunity to apply new knowledge about leadership to their practice, whether they be in management, education or clinical roles.

Components of skilled nursing practice in acute and critical care settings include clinical reasoning, accountability and patient advocacy. In this unit students will identify a complex case study from their current practice world as the basis for their assessment. This unit utilises clinical simulation and a case study approach to enable students to develop their clinical expertise in their individual workplace. Students will be required to participate in clinical simulation workshops which will be utilised to develop and enhance clinical nursing skills in acute or critical care settings.

Increasingly clinical leaders, practitioners and health service managers are being held accountable for improving the quality and safety of patient care and for developing a culture of quality improvement within their teams. In this unit students learn about quality, patient safety and governance frameworks and strategies that they can employ within healthcare to improve system performance, patient safety and patient outcomes. The main approaches used to address quality of care and patient safety are examined and their applications critiqued. Students will explore leadership issues for developing systematic, coherent quality improvement frameworks and quality initiatives that can be applied within their own sphere of practice.

Vascular access devices (VADs) are utilised in health care settings across the world. Nurses, junior medical officers and paramedics are typically at the forefront of having to gain peripheral venous access. Many important aspects of vascular access are taught in isolation which are typically brief and provide surface learning rather than good theoretical understanding that underpin sound clinical skill and safe practice required for inserting and managing VADs. This unit focuses on developing knowledge, competency and skills to safely insert peripheral VADs and manage most acute and chronic devices through access to online material, facilitated simulated workshops and practical application in the workplace with a nominated clinical mentor approved by the school.

Career Opportunities

As a graduate of this degree, you can look forward to a broad range of exciting career opportunities in different sectors and industries. Below are some examples of the possible careers you can pursue with this degree:

  • Acute care hospitals
  • Community health
  • Paediatric health
  • Mental health care services
  • Disability services
  • Rehabilitation services
  • Aged care services
B Psychological and Social Sciences

Entry requirements for domestic students

Please consult the handbook for more information regarding entry requirements for this course.

You can read more about special requirements here.

B Psychological and Social Sciences

Entry requirements for international students

**Please note, if this course lists a part-time option, this is not available to International Students on a Student Visa.

Please consult the handbook for more information regarding entry requirements for this course.

You can read more about international academic entry requirements here.

Indicative annual fee

PG Direct CSP

A Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) is one that is subsidised by the Commonwealth and applicable only to Domestic students. This means that the Australian Government pays part of your fees towards your program, therefore reducing your program fees, and the remaining amount is paid by you, this is considered your Student Contribution.

To work out how much your Student Contribution will be before you study, you will first need to find out the Student Contribution band your subjects fit into based on their general discipline area.

You can then calculate your student contributions to work out the total amount of your contribution.

The Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) is a range of loans introduced by the Australian Government from 2005 to provide fee payment assistance to eligible students. Loans are for Australian citizens studying in Australia or overseas. Permanent residents who hold a humanitarian visa are also eligible if studying in Australia.

If eligible you may be able to defer all or part of your Student Contribution through the HECS-HELP loan program. You may also be eligible for OS-HELP if undertaking studies overseas.

New Zealand citizens and holders of an Australian permanent resident visa (other than an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) are generally not entitled to HECS-HELP assistance. If you are a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident your Student Contribution amount must be paid in full by the census date.

However, the Australian Government has passed new legislation that changes the way some New Zealand citizens, who hold a Special Category Visa (SCV), studying in Australia will pay their fees. More information is available on the Changes to fees for New Zealand Citizens webpage.

Find out more about HECS-HELP

Find out more about OS-HELP

Apply as a Domestic Student

If you are a domestic student, you can apply through our Western Application system which is free of charge.

Domestic students are:

  • Australian Citizens
  • New Zealand Citizens
  • Australian permanent residents
  • Australian permanent humanitarian visa holders

Scholarships

Western Sydney University recognises and rewards students who demonstrate community engagement, outstanding academic ability and superior leadership skills. Donor-funded scholarships are also available, providing support for students based on both academic achievements and equity considerations. There are also scholarships available for specific degrees. 

No application
Generic PG Dom Only

Want to know more?

We're here to provide clarity.

If you're uncertain about your study journey, enquire about our program today and gain the confidence to move forward.

Australian students

1300 897 669

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Kingswood campus

OTHER STUDY OPTIONS

Bachelor of Nursing

Full Time: 3 Years (Available Part Time)

Master of Nursing

Full Time: 1.5 Years (Available Part Time)*

Graduate Certificate in Nursing

Full Time: 6 Months (Available Part Time)

Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Nursing

Full Time: 6 Months (Available Part Time)

The tuition fees quoted above are the fees for the normal full-time study load of the program (40 credit points) per annum. International students will be subject to a variable fee regime; i.e. enrolled students will be required to pay fees during their program based on the approved fee for each calendar year. Fee changes (if any) will occur at 1 January each calendar year. Students who extend their program past the normal finish date of the program will be required to pay additional fees based on the prevailing fee level. Western Sydney University is a multi-campus institution. The University reserves the right to alter the location of its programs between campuses and other locations as necessary. Students should be aware of the possibility of change of location for the whole or part of programs for which they enrol and should plan for the need to travel between Western Sydney campuses.