At successful completion of the course students should be able to:

• apply specialist knowledge of anatomy and physiology used, to the nursing assessment and management of people undergoing dermatological treatments
• analyse the principles of therapeutic treatments to apply to the delivery of holistic person centred care
• develop advanced communication skills in order to establish therapeutic relationships with patients, stakeholders and the multidisciplinary team
• critically reflect upon current practice and learning experiences to promote leadership, knowledge sharing and development of a philosophy of lifelong learning
• explore the legal, ethical and cultural issues in relation to the nursing care of patients undergoing dermatological procedures
• critically analyse current literature and nursing practice to provide evidence based contemporary care in the dermatology specialty.

The Graduate Certificate in Dermatology Nursing is a one year course, consisting of four 10-week terms.

Students will need to complete 4 core units. One unit is studied per term.

Approximate hours of study are 12 – 15 hours per week.

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 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.

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
• 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

Anyone applying for an ACN course that includes a clinical placement must provide evidence of compliance documents at the time of application.

Applications for enrolment will not be progressed until all relevant documentation has been received by Customer Services.

Each Australian state and territory has its own clinical placement documentation requirements. Further details are available on our Clinical Placement Information page, click on the tab for your particular state or territory for information on specific requirements.

Individual placement providers may need additional documentation. If you are required to provide this then you will be contacted by the Clinical Placement Officer following enrolment.

ACN negotiates with health care facilities to secure clinical placements. ACN will make every effort to secure clinical placements within the timeframe indicated in the course outline, however applicants are advised that provision and location of clinical placements is dependent on the availability of placements within the health facility.

As placements are difficult to secure, once confirmed these cannot be negotiated unless there is unforeseen extenuating circumstances. Applicants are not to arrange their own clinical placements with a clinical facility under any circumstances. ACN reserves the right to change clinical placements if necessary.

Students can be granted recognition of prior learning (RPL) for clinical placement if:

• you have been in employment in the area of specialty for at least six months (full time equivalent).

Documentation that will be accepted as evidence:

• A position description for role with a letter from your employer stating that you have been in their employment for at least six months (full time equivalent)
• If you are your own employer then you can use your own company profile as evidence
• A statutory declaration if you are not able to provide either of the above

Please note there is no charge for this application of RPL and students will still have to complete the online learning units of study and the associated assessment items.

Please ensure you read all course information, make sure you meet entry requirements and have all clinical placement documentation ready 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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