Duration
1 Year Part-time
Study mode
Online
Intakes
January & July
FEE-HELP
Available
It is estimated there will be around 165,000 cases of cancer diagnosed in Australia during 2023. This 88% increase in the span of just over 20 years is mainly due to increases in population size and increasing numbers of people reaching older ages for which cancer rates are higher (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2023).
Course overview
Studying the Graduate certificate in cancer nursing provides students with the knowledge and skills required to coordinate and provide culturally safe, evidenced-based cancer care. The Australian College of Nursing aims to enhance students’ professional and ethical understanding in order to facilitate clinical practice development and improve patient outcomes. Our course is written by specialist nurses, for nurses. Students are supported towards to attainment of their individual learning goals by a team of highly skilled clinical experts.
The course responds to industry requirements for flexible multifaceted practitioners capable of practicing in various cancer care environments and in specialist cancer nursing roles. The prevention, diagnosis, pathology and treatment of various cancer types- from diagnosis and primary care, to follow-up, survivorship and palliative care- are explored using an interprofessional team approach. Future treatment trends and the impact a cancer diagnosis has on the individual, their significant others and the broader community, are considered.
Students select from a range of specialty electives which allow further exploration of specific clinical areas of interest related to cancer nursing. Students engage in the planning, development and evaluation of their own clinical and educational requirements to promote lifelong learning through critical analysis and reflection.
Career outcomes
A Graduate Certificate in 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.
This course is designed to develop an understanding of cancer nursing with a strong clinical focus. It enables students to:
- demonstrate a specialist knowledge base within cancer nursing for the provision and coordination of contemporary cancer care
- develop specialist clinical practice and advanced clinical decision-making skills in the assessment and management of people living with cancer
- analyse the communication skills used to establish effective therapeutic relationships with people diagnosed with cancer, their families and carers
- examine the leadership, professional and educational skills contributing to a high standard of cancer nursing care and practice development within interprofessional teams
- evaluate nursing practice against research and current literature to support the provision of contemporary evidence-based cancer nursing care
- reflect on personal and professional values and attitudes in relation to the care of people living with cancer, their families and carers.
The Graduate Certificate in 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
Course structure for student intake/s from July 2023 onwards
| Unit type | Unit name & pricing | Course codes |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 - Core | Advancing Professional Practice (340), Tier 1 | |
| Term 2 - Core | Principles of Cancer Care (329), Tier 1 | |
| Term 3 - Elective | Choose one elective from the following:
|
|
| Term 4 - Core | Advanced Concepts of Cancer Nursing (342), Tier 1 | |
Course structure for student intake/s before June 2023
| Unit type | Unit name & pricing | |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 - Core | Advanced Applied Pathophysiology (in Clinical Practice) (344), Tier 1 | |
| Term 2 - Core | Principles of Cancer Care (329), Tier 1 | |
| Term 3 - Elective | Choose one elective from the following:
|
|
| Term 4 - Core | Leadership and Professional Practice (925), Tier 2 | |
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 | 2023 Member price (10% discount) | 2023 Non-member price | 2024 Member price (10% discount) | 2024 Non-member price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $2,196.00 | $2,440.00 | $2,308.50 | $2,565.00 |
| Tier 2 | $2,506.50 | $2,785.00 | $2,632.50 | $2,925.00 |
| Tier 3 | $2,947.50 | $3,275.00 | $3,096.00 | $3,440.00 |
| Tier 4 | $3,523.50 | $3,915.00 | $3,699.00 | $4,110.00 |
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!
Scholarships
The Arrow Bone Marrow Transplant Foundation are offering scholarships to support students undertaking the Graduate Certificate in Cancer Nursing. Find out more
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
- hold current registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA); or the equivalent registering authority in your country of origin
- meet the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia English language skills registration standard (nursing and midwifery) – please refer to the AHPRA website to download the standard
- have a minimum of one year of postgraduate experience; and
- be currently employed in the clinical area of specialisation*
*For some GC units of study, consideration may be given for applicants who are not registered nurses on an individual basis.
*The below courses contain a compulsory clinical placement component and do not require applicants to be employed in the clinical area of specialisation:
- Graduate Certificate in Child and Family Health
- Graduate Certificate in Stomal Therapy Nursing
- Graduate Certificate in Dermatology Nursing
Christine Collins MACN, Nurse Educator – Higher Education
BNurs, GradCertEmergNurs, MNurs(Clinical Education)
e: christine.collins@acn.edu.au
Christine considers herself a lifelong learner with a passion for educating through mentoring, and the development of practical, equitable learning resources. Christine has a focus on adult learning through leading and training future educators in the nursing profession. Her priority is to help nurses put theory into clinical practice. It is Christine’s goal to equip clinical nurses’ with the skills they need through collaboration, respect and empowerment.
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.
We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health care professionals to study this course. If you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person we encourage you to let us know in your application. If you require assistance with completing your application or support during the course, please don’t hesitate to let us know.
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Contact us
For general course information:
Customer Services
t: 02 9745 7500
e: customerservices@acn.edu.au
