Find a Graduate Certificate & Diploma in Nursing

Postgraduate Nursing

The Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma in Nursing, are both postgraduate qualifications that provide specialised knowledge and skills in a specific area. These programs are designed to help registered nurses (RNs) and nurse practitioners (NPs) enhance their expertise in a particular area of practice, such as acute care, mental health, or community health. Both programs are a valuable way for nurses to advance their careers, deepen their knowledge, and expand their professional opportunities.

Why Study a Postgraduate Course?

A postgrad qualification allows you to expand on your current nursing skillset and achieve your professional goals. Whether you want to take on a more senior position, or develop yourself within a specialisation, some common reasons for studying a graduate certificate or diploma include:

Employers’ recruiting for senior nursing roles, look favourably on candidates with a postgraduate qualification– enabling you to stand out from the pack

Postgraduate studies count towards your Continuing Professional Development (CPD). Making it a good way to meet your CPD requirements as a RN while broadening your future career opportunities.

A postgrad program can help improve your salary and wages, through greater access to senior or more specialised roles.

A graduate certificate or graduate diploma in nursing, can help you transition to a new or different specialisation of interest.

What’s the difference?

Although both qualifications are a valuable way for nurses to advance their careers and expand their knowledge, the graduate diploma is a longer course and higher-level qualification.

Graduate Certificate in Nursing

Typically, a graduate certificate in nursing required the student to complete 4 units, which can take 9-12 months part-time (or 6 months full-time).

Graduate Diploma in Nursing

The Graduate diploma’s are generally 8 units in length, and can take students anywhere from 16-24 months to complete part-time (or 1 year full-time.

Clinical Nurse

A clinical nurse is part of the senior nursing staff that work within the acute care sector.

Neonatal Nurse

A neonatal nurse specialises in providing supportive health care to newborn infants up to four-weeks-old

Perioperative Nurse

Provide nursing care for patients before, during and after they undergo surgery or a non-surgical procedure

Emergency Nurse

ER nurses treat patients who require immediate medical attention, such as those with severe injury or trauma.

Intensive Care Nurse

An ICU nurse care for patients experiencing high-dependency, or life threatening conditions.

Mental Health Nurse

A mental health nurse focuses on proving special healthcare to a patient who suffers from mental health problems.

Paediatric Nurse

Paediatric nurses care specifically for babies and children under 18.

Nurse Practitioner

Registered nurse with advanced training that provide higher levels of care.

Aged Care Nurse

An aged care nurse is primarily concerned with providing care to elderly people.

Summary

In conclusion, postgraduate certificates and diplomas in nursing are an excellent option for registered nurses in Australia who wish to further their education and advance their careers. These programs provide students with advanced knowledge and skills, and can lead to career advancement and better job prospects. Additionally, they are flexible and can be tailored to meet the needs of individual students. There are a variety of programs available, including options in emergency nursing, palliative care nursing, mental health nursing, and oncology nursing.

Graduate Certificates & Diplomas in Nursing

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