Completion of this course will enable the student to:

• demonstrate the knowledge, skills and attitudes required of the paediatric nurse within their specialty context, and benchmark against appropriate professional standards
• analyse complex clinical problems using critical thinking/clinical reasoning skills, multiple modes of inquiry and a collaborative approach
• critically evaluate nursing practice against research and current literature, to identify potential areas of practice development, and support the provision of contemporary evidence based paediatric nursing care
• develop and utilise a variety of communication skills in order to establish effective interpersonal relationships with children, their families and the interdisciplinary health care team
• model the skills and abilities that provide a foundation for future leadership roles, including reflective practice, knowledge sharing and a commitment to lifelong learning
• identify and discuss the legal, ethical and cultural issues affecting paediatric patients and their families, thereby providing safe, holistic and family centred health care.

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

Students will need to choose 1 stream – General Paediatrics, Paediatric Emergency or Paediatric Intensive Care. Students will need to complete 4 units, either 3 core and 1 elective (General stream) or 2 core, 1 specialty and 1 elective units (Emergency and Intensive Care streams). One unit is studied per term.

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

General Paediatrics

The aim of the general paediatric stream is to challenge and extend the knowledge base, skills and attitudes of those working as generalist paediatric nurses in a variety of contexts. The focus of this stream is the holistic and family focused assessment of infants, children and adolescents using growth and development and normal anatomy and physiology as a foundation for learning. Nursing interventions that are linked with positive evidence- based clinical outcomes will be explored. The units of study in this stream offer flexibility to meet the needs of paediatric nurses working in several contexts. Students select the two core units of study and two elective units of study.

Paediatric Emergency

The paediatric emergency stream is designed to develop the specialist knowledge and skills required by nurses caring for infants, children and adolescents presenting to the emergency department. The units of study In this stream provide the student with a broad understanding of the science and practice of paediatric emergency and trauma care. Students select the two core units of study, one specialty unit of study and one elective unit of study.

Paediatric Intensive Care

The paediatric intensive care stream provides the advances knowledge and skills required by nurses providing care to critically ill infants, children and adolescents. The stream aims to develop the students’ ability to assess and manage the complex conditions admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit and to confidently manage the multiple technologies used to support these patients. Students select the two core units of study, one specialty unit of study and one elective unit of study.

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.

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.

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.