Graduate Diploma of Critical Care Nursing

Critical care nurses work in some of the most complex health environments across emergency departments, ICUs and other high dependency units. The advanced specialist skills required to manage and provide care to the critically ill as part of a multidisciplinary team are in demand now more than ever across regional, rural or metropolitan hospitals. Deakin’s Graduate Diploma of Critical Care Nursing prepares you to meet that demand.

Ranked #15 in the world,^* our School of Nursing and Midwifery is one of the largest and best in Australia. By studying your Graduate Diploma of Critical Care Nursing at Deakin, you will be guided through industry-informed coursework by experts in critical care nursing and have access to the School’s extensive cutting-edge research, which is recognised as well above world standard.^{^}

Are you ready to provide expert care to critically ill patients across a range of complex settings?

If you want to take the next step in your nursing career, our Graduate Diploma of Critical Care Nursing prepares you to practise effectively at an advanced practice level. As a graduate you will demonstrate ethical, safe, high-quality and expert clinical decision-making abilities within a multidisciplinary team. You will also gain psychomotor skills commensurate with specialised theoretical knowledge, evidence-based practice and person-centred care.

As a student of Deakin’s Graduate Diploma of Critical Care Nursing you will be challenged to advance your professional judgement by exploring the current and emerging trends, concepts, knowledge and evidence that provides the policy and practice framework around the speciality care of the critically ill.

Deakin’s strong industry connections ensure a high level of collaboration and support during your clinical practice. This means that while you study you can immerse yourself in your speciality practice area with one of our numerous metropolitan, rural and regional health partners across Australia.

This course enables you to:

• analyse and provide advanced patient care in response to complex data from patient and technologically derived sources
• demonstrate advanced clinical judgement leading to autonomous decision-making
• practise critical thinking and reflection regarding current health environment issues and specialty nursing practice
• explore and demonstrate an understanding of complex practice, transcultural, ethical and psychosocial concepts
• combine advanced communication skills with professional knowledge to promote safe, high-quality care of the critically ill.

Second year elective units allow you to pursue your specific areas of interest and career goals. You can choose from complementary areas of practice to your specialisation, or undertake studies preparing you for roles in education, leadership or management. You will also have the opportunity to select a unit from anywhere across the university, further expanding your skill set.

Our innovative online program delivers a rich, interactive and empowering learning experience designed for postgraduate nurses. Live-streaming seminars and class discussions encourage critical thinking, problem-solving and teamwork skills. Australia’s top-rated tech support and access to our expert teaching staff means you can learn at your own pace, when and where it suits you, without compromising quality or support.

You will be challenged to become a leader in evidence-based practice, and a change agent to improve the quality of nursing care and patient outcomes of the critically ill.

Graduates are prepared to handle the contemporary challenges critical care nurses may face in a course that responds to industry trends and demands, and expectations from professional bodies. You will learn how to make a difference through roles in areas such as practice, education, leadership and research.

^* 2024 ShanghaiRankings Ranking of Academic Subjects.
^{^} Excellence in Research Australia (ERA) 2018.

• Begin the application process

  We have a network of experienced authorised agents around the world who can help you through the application process. They are trained to provide advice and information on Deakin University and our degrees. Find out if you need to use a Deakin authorised agent to submit your application.

• Check entry requirements

  Entry requirements differ depending on your degree or country of residence. Before starting your application, read through the entry requirements on the course page entry requirement tab.

  Need to improve your English language skills?

  You can enrol at the Deakin University English Language Institute and study a course to improve your English language skills. If you pass, this can help you get into most Deakin degrees. Please note, this page is available in both Indonesian and Vietnamese.

  Need help meeting the academic requirements?

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• Certify supporting documents

  Most documents need to be certified. For example, award certificates, academic transcripts and your identity papers (passport). Documents in languages other than English will also need to be translated. Take the original document and a photocopy to an authorised person (for example, justice of the peace, public notary, member of the police force or Australian lawyer), to sign.

  Be sure to attach all requested supporting documentation, otherwise your application could be delayed. If you get your application in early, this gives us more time to arrange visas and accommodation if you need them.

• Submit your application

  Depending on your nationality and country of residence, you can submit your application directly to Deakin through our online international student application service StudyLink Connect or through a Deakin authorised agent.