University of Southern Queensland
2 years part-time
Advance your nursing career with UniSQ's Graduate Diploma of Nursing, a flexible postgraduate qualification offering five specialisations in clinical education, aged care, leadership, rural health, and advanced practice. Designed for registered nurses seeking to enhance expertise and leadership capabilities while maintaining work-life balance through part-time online study.
To be eligible for entry, you must hold a 3-year bachelor degree in nursing from a recognised university or equivalent qualification. You must hold current professional registration as a Division 1 nurse with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) or equivalent regulatory body in your home country. For the Rural and Remote specialisation, you should preferably be working in a rural or remote healthcare setting and provide written confirmation from your workplace regarding capacity for workplace-based portfolio development. English language requirements: IELTS (Academic) minimum overall score of 7.0 with 7.0 in each component, or equivalent alternative English proficiency tests.
The Graduate Diploma of Nursing comprises 8 units of study structured as follows: Core units (3 units) include Contexts of Professional Health Practice, Research Design and Methodologies, and one elective choice between The Law and Health Care Practice or Culture as Determinant of Health. Specialisation units (5 units) allow you to choose from five specialisations: Clinical Education focuses on innovative teaching methods and clinical nurse educator development; Gerontology specialises in aged-care nursing and supporting elderly patients with complex needs; Leadership and Management in Health develops clinical leadership and team management skills; Rural and Remote prepares nurses for social, cultural and geographic challenges of remote healthcare; Advanced Practice allows personalised study to keep career options open and develop transferable skills across healthcare settings.
UniSQ is rated 5/5 stars for teaching quality, overall educational experience, and student support in health services according to the Good Universities Guide 2026. The university is ranked #1 in Queensland for graduate starting salary in health services and support. UniSQ offers industry-relevant, practical and theoretical training with flexible online delivery allowing students to balance work and study. The institution provides comprehensive student support equivalent to on-campus students, and graduates can progress to the Master of Nursing for further study.
Graduates of the Graduate Diploma of Nursing are equipped for advanced and specialised roles across diverse healthcare settings including hospitals, aged care facilities, community health centres, primary care clinics, educational institutions (TAFE and universities), government and non-government health agencies, rural and remote health services, telehealth and emergency response units. As a specialised health professional, you'll contribute to high-quality care delivery, education, and leadership in both urban and remote environments. The qualification serves as a stepping stone to further study in the Master of Nursing program.
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