Australian Catholic University
1 year full-time or equivalent part-time
This postgraduate diploma expands your clinical nursing expertise through specialized study in areas like cardiac care, intensive care, or surgical nursing. Choose between a Project Stream focused on leadership or a Research Stream for scholarly development, delivered entirely online.
To be eligible for admission, you must have completed a Bachelor of Nursing degree or equivalent and hold current registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). You should have at least two units of AQF-recognised study at bachelor level or above. Prior work experience in nursing or related healthcare settings is beneficial. You must be able to meet the inherent requirements of the course, which include essential capabilities and skills to achieve core learning outcomes in clinical nursing practice.
The course comprises 80 credit points across core and specialisation modules. Core units include Advanced Pathophysiology for Specialty Nursing Practice, Evidence-based Person-centred Family Care, Quality and Safety in Health Care, Interpreting Health Research, and Healthcare Ethics. Students choose between Project Stream (focusing on leadership and health service transformation) or Research Stream (developing research foundations through biostatistics or qualitative research methods). Nine specialisation options allow deep focus: Correctional Health covers prisoner mental health and chronic conditions; Gerontological Nursing addresses aged care and risk assessment; Medical, Renal, Surgical, Neuroscience, Cardiac Care, Intensive Care, and Perioperative specialisations provide specialty-specific clinical knowledge including anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, and pharmacology relevant to each area.
Australian Catholic University is a leading provider of nursing education with extensive experience in postgraduate clinical nursing programs. ACU Online delivers flexible, accessible education for working healthcare professionals. The university's commitment to student-centred learning, combined with experienced nursing academics like Dr Nancy Ming Zhang who brings intensive care expertise and a focus on translating evidence into practice, ensures high-quality education. ACU's recognition of prior learning and flexible study options (full-time or part-time across multiple intake terms) accommodates diverse student circumstances while maintaining rigorous academic standards.
Graduates can pursue diverse career pathways including Clinical Nurse Specialist roles, Nursing Education positions, and Clinical Leadership and Management roles within their specialty area. Leadership and management opportunities exist within healthcare services and community nursing settings. Depending on specialisation, graduates may work in correctional health facilities, gerontological care settings, dialysis centres, transplant units, cardiac rehabilitation programs, intensive care units, or operating theatre environments. The course also provides a pathway to further study, including progression to a Master of Clinical Nursing, allowing graduates to continue with either coursework or research streams for advanced scholarly development.
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