Graduate Certificate in Contemporary Nursing

(Registered Nurse Re-entry and Entry to Practice Internationally Qualified Registered Nurse)

School of Nursing & Midwifery

If you are a nurse who is re-entering the workforce and need to update your skills, or an internationally educated nurse who requires a bridging program this Graduate Certificate is just the course for you. Our Graduate Certificate in Contemporary Nursing will address nurses’ professional obligations and have you back in the workforce. You will complete a practical component to ensure you are well-prepared for the workplace.

• Why study this degree?

  If you have been out of the workplace for a while or have just arrived in Australia and wish to start work as a Registered nurse, this program is the course for you.

  Our course meets all Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia codes, standards, and guidelines and the legal and ethical obligations of registered nurses. There will be a focus on critical thinking, clinical reasoning, reflection and the use of current evidence and research to make sound clinical judgments to practice safely in a complex health environment.

  You will explore current and emerging national and regional health priorities, health research, health policy and reform.  Medication management, pharmacology and the relationship to physiology and pathophysiology will be addressed.

  Person-centeredness, communication and cultural competence will be explored in both the theoretical and professional practice components of the program. There will also be a focus on caring for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

  During the program, Re-entry and Bridging students register with AHPRA. Refresher students already have registration. To be eligible for registration you must meet the NMBA Registration Standards.

• Program summary

  During the Graduate Certificate in Contemporary Nursing program, you participate in online lectures and tutorials, and on-campus laboratory skills. Assessments include case studies, essays, oral presentations, and the development of a professional portfolio.

  The Graduate Certificate in Contemporary Nursing consists of three (3) courses

  Course code	Course title	Units of credit	Mode
  NURS6004	Transition to Professional Practice	25	Intensive
  NURS6005	Contemporary Nursing Skills	25	Intensive
  NURS6006	Professional Practice	50	Practicum

  Full details of the program requirements are contained in the Program Requirements.

  More information regarding courses can be found at the course descriptions pages Fremantle Sydney.

• Program duration

  This program is delivered in an intensive mode with online lectures and tutorials. Students will attend an intensive skills course on campus. Assessment approaches include case studies, essays, oral presentations and the development of a professional portfolio. Students must successfully complete the medication calculation and simulation assessments to be eligible to progress to NURS6006 Professional Practice. Throughout the professional practice course students will complete assessments to demonstrate knowledge, skills and competence to practice as a registered nurse.

  Please note, the period of professional practice will vary between students and the number of clinical placements are limited. All students are required to undertake up to 6 weeks clinical practice as scheduled for their program (full time equivalent).

• Entry requirements

  Specific program requirements for admission are dependent on which pathway into the Program you require.

  The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia determines the eligibility to undertake a Re-entry or Bridging program.

  • All applicants must have a Bachelor of Nursing or equivalent
  • Applicants for ‘Re-entry’ or ‘Bridging’ pathways must have a valid AHPRA referral letter; the letter must be valid for the duration of the program and an additional 4 weeks following completion
  • Applicants must provide evidence of meeting the English language proficiency* requirements for postgraduate degrees
  • All applicants must have a valid national police certificate and criminal record screening check
  • Non Australian citizens are required to provide a criminal record check from country of origin and any country resided in after the age of 16
  • International applicants must hold a valid Australian visa until course completion

  If unable to provide a Police Certificate from your home country or any country you have resided in since turning 16 years of age, a Statutory Declaration must be completed. This Declaration must state that you have no pending criminal charges or convictions from your home country or any country that you have resided in. If you do have such records, you must list date of any offences, the type of offence and the court outcome.

  Applicants must provide evidence of meeting the English language proficiency requirements for postgraduate degrees. Applicants must also meet the English language skills registration standard set out by NMBA.

• Course commencement

  Upcoming dates for this program

  February intake

  • Essential Orientation Day: Friday, 9th February 2024
  • First Course Commences: Monday, 12th February 2024

  July intake

  • Essential Orientation Day: Friday, 19th July 2024
  • First Course Commences: Monday, 22rd July 2024

• Learning outcomes

  On completion of the program the student should be able to:

  1. Critically review emerging national and regional health priorities in the Australian context
  2. Establish and maintain a professional portfolio and develop the capacity for self-regulation and life-long learning
  3. Reflect on knowledge, values and beliefs and be empowered to advocate for people in their care
  4. Use research and evidence based knowledge to inform and analyse nursing practice
  5. Integrate knowledge, clinical skills and reflective thinking to an advanced level to make sound clinical judgements and decisions within a framework of human dignity and respect; and
  6. Be clinically competent and confident registered nurses who use their knowledge and skills in the ethical care of individuals, families and communities who meet the MBA Registered Nurse Standards for Practice, Code of Conduct for Nurses and ICN Code of Ethics.

  Please note: Credit is not available to students seeking entry into this course.

• Practical component

  The Graduate Certificate in Contemporary Nursing includes a minimum of 240 hours of professional workplace experience.

  Students must meet all of the clearance requirements to attend the professional workplace experience.

  • For students enrolled in Fremantle, this is outlined in the School of Nursing and Midwifery Student Clinical Handbook
  • For students enrolled in Sydney, these requirements are outlined in the Policy: Professional Workplace Experience.

• Real-world experience

  You will learn from academics who are industry leaders and, through our practicum placements and internship programs, you will gain real professional experience and make valuable contacts with potential employers.

• Professional accreditation

  The Graduate Certificate in Contemporary Nursing is accredited by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC)

• Fees and costs

  This Program has the following loan scheme(s) available for eligible students:

  
  

  Domestic Fee-Paying
  A domestic fee-paying place is a place at university where the student is responsible for the full cost the program.

  Eligible domestic fee-paying students may apply for the FEE-HELP loan scheme which assists eligible fee-paying students with the payment of all, or part, of their tuition fees, not including additional study costs such as accommodation or textbooks. Your FEE-HELP debt will be indexed each year in line with the Consumer Price Index.

  
  

  International Full-Fee Paying
  Tuition costs depend on an international student’s study load and discipline. Fees are payable each semester at least four weeks prior to the commencement of your program.

  
  

  For indicative fees and information on how to pay, including Government loan schemes and our online calculator, visit our Fees, costs and scholarships page.

• More information

  Considering your uni options?

  Talk to one of our career advisors for a personalised advice session. Our advisors provide support while choosing a program of study and completing our application process. Book my session.

  
  

  For more information, please contact our Prospective Students Office.

  Fremantle and Broome Phone: +61 8 9433 0533 Email: future@nd.edu.au

  Sydney and Melbourne Phone: +61 2 8204 4404 Email: sydney@nd.edu.au

  
  

  All international enquiries should contact the International Students Office on international@nd.edu.au.