Duration
1 Year Part-time
Study mode
Online
Intakes
January & July
FEE-HELP
Available
“In 2019, it is estimated that 19,535 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in Australia (164 males and 19,371 females). In 2019, it is estimated that the risk of an individual being diagnosed with breast cancer by their 85th birthday will be 1 in 7 (1 in 675 males and 1 in 7 females).”
Cancer Australia 2019
Course overview
Studying breast cancer nursing with ACN will provide you with the principles of breast cancer nursing in order to improve your knowledge and skills for the provision and coordination of evidenced based breast cancer care. The aim is to encourage professional and ethical understanding of clinical practice development for the improvement of patient outcomes. Our course is written by specialist nurses for nurses, and students are supported by a team of clinical experts, working within the speciality. Our electives allow students to further explore a specific area of interest related to breast cancer nursing.
The course aligns with the Specialist Breast Nurse Competency Standards and associated educational requirements (NBCC 2005) and the National Educational Framework for Cancer Nurses (EdCaN 2009). It responds to industry requirements by preparing graduates for specialist breast cancer nursing roles within the wide scope of breast cancer care.
Through critical analysis and reflection students are given the opportunity to evaluate their clinical and educational requirements to promote professional development for Specialist Breast Cancer Nursing care and lifelong learning. The course also supports development in clinical leadership roles such as clinical nurse specialists, clinical nurse consultants or breast cancer nurse coordinators. The course focus includes the continuum of breast cancer care, evidence based practice, future trends and the impact of breast cancer on individuals, their families and communities.
ACN has proudly been providing education to McGrath Foundation nurses since 2013.
Career outcomes
A Graduate Certificate in Breast Cancer Nursing is an investment in your future and will provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to ensure better outcomes for your patients and progress your career, leading to opportunities in clinical education, management and specialist nursing roles.
Testimonial
“The ACN has been providing education to McGrath Breast Care Nurses since 2013.
The Graduate Certificate in Breast Care Nursing that we encourage our nurses to complete provides specialist knowledge that has a strong clinical foundation that builds on and leverages existing knowledge and skills and ultimately contributes to evidence based best-practice.
The course is also aligned with breast care nursing competency frameworks and nationally recognised educational frameworks, which is very reassuring. Course content spans the breadth of the breast cancer experience with a focus on multidisciplinary well-coordinated care. The embedding of leadership capabilities throughout each module allows our nurses to expand their skill base and develop competencies in for example, communication and team work-vital aspects of their roles. Feedback from our nurses has always been extremely positive in relation to course content, materials and support.”
– Jane Mahony, Mission Programmes Director, McGrath Foundation
This course is designed to develop an understanding of breast cancer nursing with a strong clinical focus. It enables students to:
- demonstrate specialist knowledge that informs evidence based breast cancer nursing practice for the provision and coordination of patient care
- develop specialist clinical practice and advance their clinical decision making skills for the assessment and management of patients with breast cancer
- engage in and maintain effective therapeutic relationships with patients, their significant others and other members of the multidisciplinary care team
- develop professional and educational leadership skills to provide support for other clinicians and provide an overall contribution to the multi-disciplinary breast cancer care team
- critically analyse current literature and nursing practice to provide evidence based contemporary care for patients diagnosed with breast cancer
- examine their ability to reflect on personal and professional values and attitudes in relation to the care of patients with breast cancer and their families and carers.
Maximise your qualification
Once you’ve completed the Graduate Certificate in Breast Cancer Nursing, you could be one year of study* from an online Master of Nursing with University of Canberra (UC). Develop advanced knowledge and skills in leadership, management, research, health-care improvement and evidence-based practice. Gain 12 credit points from your previous studies with ACN towards UC’s Master of Nursing, with only one year of study* needed to complete your degree. Study at your own pace with a degree that’s entirely online and convenient for you.
ACN graduates may be eligible for advanced standing in Master Programs of other universities.
*Based on a fulltime study load.
The Graduate Certificate in Breast Cancer Nursing is a one year course, consisting of four 10-week terms.
Students will need to complete 4 units – 3 core and 1 elective. One unit is studied per term.
Approximate hours of study are 12 – 15 hours per week.
Units of study
| Unit type | Unit name & pricing | Course codes |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 - Core | Breast Cancers (112), Tier 1 | |
| Term 2 - Core | Breast Cancer Treatments (279), Tier 1 | |
| Term 3 - Elective | Choose one elective from the following: |
|
| Term 4 - Core | Continuum of Care in Breast Cancer Nursing (280), Tier 1 | |
ACN offers two intakes per year in January and July. Important dates including start and census dates can be found here.
Flexible intakes in April and October may be available, please contact our Customer Services team for further details.
Fees
| Tiers | 2019 Non-member price | 2019 Member price (10% discount) | 2020 Non-member price | 2020 Member price (10% discount) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $2,165.00 | $1,948.50 | $2,230.00 | $2,007.00 |
| Tier 2 | $2,475.00 | $2,227.50 | $2,550.00 | $2,295.00 |
| Tier 3 | $2,915.00 | $2,623.50 | $2,995.00 | $2,695.50 |
| Tier 4 | $3,475.00 | $3,127.50 | $3,580.00 | $3,222.00 |
Fees are subject to change without notice.
ACN offers a flexible payment option allowing students to pay their fees on a term-by-term basis. Each term’s fees are due upfront, prior to term commencement.
FEE-HELP is also available for eligible students. Further information can be found here.
Want to save on course fees?
Being a part of the ACN community allows nurses to be the best they can be and strengthen the voice of nursing through a range of invaluable benefits, including 10% off graduate certificates and other education offerings, exclusive networking events, access to support and advice on ACN’s online engagement platform neo, free online CPD courses and opportunities to be involved in shaping health care policy. Find out more and join our tribe today!
Admission to GC courses is based on academic merit and selection. In addition, applicants must satisfy any prerequisites or additional requirements specified for particular courses, including ACN’s general eligibility criteria.
All applicants seeking admission are required to:
- hold a Bachelor of Nursing or registered nurse* equivalent qualification
- be currently registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) or the equivalent registering authority in your country of origin
- have a minimum of one year postgraduate experience
- be currently employed in an appropriate clinical setting.
*For some GC units of study, consideration may be given for applicants who are not registered nurses on an individual basis.
Diva Madan, Nurse Educator – Higher Education
RN, MN clinical education, BN, BSc, DN, Cert IV TAE
Diva coordinates both our Graduate Certificates in Breast Cancer Nursing and Cancer Nursing.
Diva has great passion for clinical teaching and truly enjoys going beyond the essential elements of the curriculum, teaching learners to be creative, curious and critical thinkers.
Please ensure you read all course information and make sure you meet entry requirements prior to commencing the application form.
Applications for enrolment will not be progressed until all relevant documentation has been received by Customer Services.
Application form will open in a new window. Your privacy is very important to us. To better serve you, the form information you enter is recorded in real time.
McGrath Foundation nurses
ACN has proudly been providing education to McGrath Foundation nurses since 2013. The McGrath Foundation Nurses enrolment form is the application form to be completed by nurses currently working for the McGrath Foundation who wish to enrol in the Graduate Certificate Breast Cancer nursing or one of the units of study associated with this course.
Breast Cancer Nurse Practicum
The Westmead Breast Cancer Institute in collaboration with ACN developed this program to support rural and remote nurses to gain a better understanding of the clinical diagnosis and management of patients with breast cancer, within a multidisciplinary setting. This program offers students the opportunity to access blended learning through a 5 day face to face program in a speciality unit, with learning supported by access to online resources. Read more.
Contact us
Need more information? Register your interest to be contacted by a Nurse Educator who can discuss the course in further detail with you.