CRICOS Course Code: 0100117
Duration
12 weeks
Study mode
Face to face
Fees
2024 price: $16,400.00*
2025 price: $17,072.50*
*The ACN Member discount cannot be applied for the Graduate Certificate in Nursing (Re-entry).
FEE-HELP
Available for Australian citizens
The Graduate Certificate in Nursing (Re-entry) is an approved course by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA). It is designed to enable returning nurses to attain the necessary level of practice in accordance with the Australian nursing standards. The Australian College of Nursing (ACN) has been offering re-entry programs for more than 17 years and our curriculum is accredited by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) and Tertiary Education Quality Standards Agency (TEQSA). Please note the Bridging pathway for internationally qualified nurses is no longer available.
Re-entry to Nursing Scholarships
NSW Health is offering scholarships to nurses interested in returning to their nursing or midwifery practice. For more information regarding eligibility criteria and the application process, please refer to their website here.
Why study this course
Our course has been developed by specialist nurses, industry experts and clinical stakeholders to facilitate a smooth transition into contemporary nursing practice. Throughout the course, you will be supported by experienced academics, clinical facilitators, and skilled clinicians. We will assist you to further develop knowledge and skills in academic writing, simulation-based critical thinking and professional experience placements.
Course overview
This course is a comprehensive, contemporary, and clinically relevant Graduate Certificate in Nursing and runs for a total of 12 weeks full-time study. Delivery of the course consists of face-to-face, simulation, and self-directed learning, online activities, and clinical placement components.
Our course consists of two (2) core units of study:
304 Unit overview
The purpose of this unit of study is to explore the professional role of registered nurses in the Australian healthcare context. Students will gain an understanding of safe, appropriate, and responsive nursing practice within this context and examine the role of quality, research, evidence-based practice and the professional development of self and others. Students will enhance their clinical skills through an analysis of best practice principles to help them better manage the care of people and develop their clinical decision-making ability. This unit includes the following themes:
- Theme 1 – Nursing practice in the Australian healthcare context
- Theme 2 – Social determinants of health and wellbeing
- Theme 3 – Professional culture and behaviour in the Australian healthcare context
- Theme 4 – Cultural safety
- Theme 5 – Principles of patient safety and better health outcomes
- Theme 6 – Research and inquiry
EFTSL | Credit points | Hours of study |
0.25 | 12 | 300 |
304 Assessments
These unit of study is delivered at a postgraduate level, AQF level 8. Students are required to demonstrate advanced knowledge and skills, both at an academic level and in clinical practice.
The assessments for Unit 304 are:
Assessment | Weighting | Formative (F) Summative (S) | Week assessed |
---|---|---|---|
Contribution to online discussions | 5% | F | 2 and 5 |
Objective structured clinical assessments Must achieve 100%, 3 attempts given | 10% | F | 3 and 4 |
Medication exam Must achieve 100%, 3 attempts given | 5% | S | 2 |
Online multi-choice quizzes | 20% | F | 2 and 3 |
PICO question and search strategy | 15% | F | 5 |
Short answer essay | 25% | S | 4 |
Reflective essay | 20% | S | 5 |
More information about the assessments is available in the Student Handbook which will be provided during orientation.
305 Unit overview
The purpose of this unit is for students to explore and apply professional nursing practice knowledge and skills in the clinical environment. The unit assesses the student’s clinical practice against the national standards of practice for the registered nurse as mandated by NMBA during supervised clinical placement. The unit allows the student to consolidate their experiential learning through clinical supervision and professional development. The clinical experience is divided into two (2) blocks each with a three (3) week duration and may be undertaken in both acute and aged care settings. This unit includes the following themes:
- Theme 1 – Critical thinking and analysis of nursing practice
- Theme 2 – Engagement in therapeutic and professional relationships
- Theme 3 – Capability of practice
- Theme 4 – Comprehensive patient assessment
- Theme 5 – Planning for nursing care
- Theme 6 – Providing safe, appropriate and responsive quality nursing practice
- Theme 7 – Evaluation of outcomes to inform nursing practice
EFTSL | Credit points | Hours of study |
0.25 | 12 | 300 |
305 Assessments
The unit of study is delivered at a postgraduate level, AQF level 8. Students are required to demonstrate advanced knowledge and skills, both at an academic level and in clinical practice.
Assessments for Unit 305 will focus on the application of the learning components completed during Unit 304:
Assessment | Weighting | Formative (F) Summative (S) | Week assessed |
---|---|---|---|
Guided case analysis | 25% | S | 8 |
Professional Experience Placement (PEP) | 40% | S | 11 |
Learning Contract | 35% | S | 12 |
More information about the assessments is available in the Student Handbook which will be provided during orientation.
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:
- critically evaluate nursing practice against the NMBA Registered Nurse Standards for Practice
- demonstrate capability for practice within an evidence-based framework
- evaluate delivery of care across the lifespan in the context of the contemporary Australian healthcare system
- analyse effective communication within a multicultural and multidisciplinary approach to safe practice
- critically reflect upon legal and ethical standards that underpin professional nursing practice
- examine leadership behaviours that contribute to an effective team culture.
Where this qualification can take you
In addition to gaining nursing registration in Australia, our Graduate Certificate in Nursing (Re-entry) is an investment in your future and will provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to ensure better outcomes for people in your care while facilitating further progression of your career. It will also provide you with a postgraduate qualification rendering the pathway towards higher degrees.
Intakes
COHORT | UNIT 304 INTAKE DATE | UNIT 304 CENSUS DATE | UNIT 305 INTAKE DATE | UNIT 305 CENSUS DATE | COMPLETION DATE |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
217 | 12/02/2024 | 28/02/2024 | 12/02/2024 | 28/02/2024 | 03/05/2024 |
218 | 06/05/2024 | 22/06/2024 | 06/05/2024 | 22/06/2024 | 26/07/2024 |
219 | 03/06/2024 | 19/06/2024 | 03/06/2024 | 19/06/2024 | 23/08/2024 |
220 | 16/09/2024 | 02/10/2024 | 16/09/2024 | 02/10/2024 | 06/12/2024 |
Application process
- hold a Bachelor of Nursing or equivalent
- be referred to this course by the Australian Health Practitioner Registration Agency (AHPRA)
- fulfill the required immunity status as per NSW health guidelines
- provide a Unique Student Identifier
Participants must provide originals or certified copies of the following documents:
- AHPRA referral letter (must be valid at course commencement)
- Valid visa (if applicable)
- Valid Australian police/criminal record check, please refer to these links for more information: AFP website, national crime check website or the AMICI Tech website
- Students who are not Australian citizens nor holding permanent resident status also need to provide a criminal record check from their country of origin and any other country they have resided in since the age of 16 or older in addition to their Australian criminal record check. This can be the same criminal record check as used for AHPRA (i.e. fit2work).
- Record of immunisation as per your residential state or territory
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- All documented evidence of immunisations and original serology must be provided with the application:
- Diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus (DTPa, not ADT) within the last 10 years
- Varicella, either positive serology OR 1x vaccination if administered prior to age 14 OR 2x vaccinations at least 28 days apart if administered from 14 years old
- Mumps, measles and rubella, either positive serology OR 2x vaccinations at least 28 days apart OR a birth date prior to 1966
- Hepatitis B, positive serology AND evidence of age-appropriate vaccinations OR signed a statutory declaration upon course commencement
- The current year’s/season’s flu vaccine obtained in Australia ONLY
- COVID-19 vaccine (2 doses, NSW) for more details see here
- All documented evidence of immunisations and original serology must be provided with the application:
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Please note: You may be asked to undertake Tuberculosis screening after commencement of the course.
We will contact you to follow up once your application is reviewed. It may take up to three business days. Please do NOT submit multiple applications.
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.
Clinical placements
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 ACN.
Individual placement providers may need additional documentation. If you are required to provide this then you will be contacted by the ACN Clinical Placement Officer following enrolment.
ACN negotiates with health care facilities to secure clinical placements. ACN will make every effort to ensure clinical placements are 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. Please note you may need to travel for placements.
Once placements are confirmed these cannot be negotiated unless there are 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. Shifts may include morning, afternoon, and night duty.
View further information about clinical placements.
ACN is required under the National Law to comply with mandatory notification requirements. Please refer to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) for full details.
Meet your Course Coordinators
Suman Kumar MACN, Nurse Educator – Higher Education
RN, BNurs, MEd (Adult Ed) & Cert IV (TAE), GC Public Health, Immunisation program for Healthcare Practitioners, Diploma of Midwifery
Email: suman.kumar@acn.edu.au
Suman is responsible for coordinating our Graduate Certificate in Nursing (Re-entry), Graduate Certificate in Palliative Care and preparation for the OSCE program.
She has over 20 years of teaching experience in higher education and the VET sector and has a keen interest in exploring the transition of practitioners into contemporary Australian nursing practice. Suman’s clinical experience includes acute, community and aged care nursing, midwifery practice, and working in regulations. In addition to facilitating student learning, Suman is passionate about curriculum development and delivering quality education.
CRICOS Course Code: 0100117