Critical Care Nursing

Overview

The postgraduate critical care nursing program equips students with a comprehensive understanding of the theoretical frameworks and practical, evidence-based research skills that are required for nurses to work in critical care environments.

It focuses on acquiring advanced knowledge and skills to care for patients with complex medical needs in critical care settings.

You will have the opportunity to:

develop critical care knowledge, skills and competencies
develop critical reasoning in action skills and problem solving skills
analyse and critique delivery of specialist nursing care in the current healthcare context
develop and use evidence-based nursing research skills to plan, implement and evaluate care provision in critical care environments.

Up to 80% off fees due to Government subsidies*.

*Government subsidies enable Flinders to offer Domestic applicants a reduction of up to 80% off full course fees through Commonwealth Supported Places. Offer subject to change.

Domestic

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Courses

Graduate Certificate in Critical Care Nursing

Duration: 1 year part-time

Delivery mode:
In person
Online plus placement/intensive

Location:
Bedford Park

Availability:
Part-time

Start dates:
March
July

SATAC code:
2GC188 (CSP)
2GC688 (FFP)

Annual indicative fees (2025):
$2,313 (Commonwealth supported)
$12,852 (Full fee paying)

Further information on fees listed

Apply via SATAC

2GC188 (CSP)

2GC688 (FFP)

_{CSP (Commonwealth supported place)

FFP (Full-fee paying)}

Graduate Diploma in Nursing

Duration: 1 year

Delivery mode:
In person
Online

Location:
Bedford Park

Availability:
Full-time Part-time

Start dates:
March
July

SATAC code:
2GD133 (Commonwealth supported)
2GD633 (Full fee paying)

Annual indicative fees (2025):
$4,624 (Commonwealth supported)
$25,704 (Full fee paying)

Further information on fees listed

Apply via SATAC

2GD133 (CSP)

2GD633 (FFP)

Master of Nursing

Duration: 1.5 or 2 years

Delivery mode:
In person
Online

Location:
Bedford Park

Availability:
Full-time Part-time

Start dates:
March
July

SATAC code:
2CM319 (1.5 years) (CSP)
2CM619 (1.5 years) (FFP)
2CM318 (2 years) (CSP)
2CM618 (2 years) (FFP)

Annual indicative fees (2025):
$9,095 (Commonwealth supported)
$26,865 (Full fee paying)

Further information on fees listed

Apply via SATAC

2CM319 (1.5yrs) (CSP)

2CM619 (1.5yrs) (FFP)

Your career

Graduates are suitable for careers in a wide range of nursing-related fields. Our courses will give registered nurses the opportunity to provide skilful care to individuals, families and communities to prevent illness, promote healthy lifestyles and manage a range of emerging complex health issues. You will be able to take on leadership and specialised care roles in a variety of clinical nursing settings.

Potential occupations include

case coordinator
clinical nurse specialist
ICU liaison nurse
nurse educator
nurse manager
injury management officer
nurse research assistant.

Professional accreditation

This course does not lead to professional registration with AHPRA (Australia Health Practitioner Regulatory Agency). However, the clinical and theory topics ensure that you are prepared to meet the standards of specialist practice, at a beginning level, of the Australian College of Critical Care Nurses.

What you will study

Graduate Certificate in Critical Care Nursing

The Graduate Certificate in Critical Care Nursing consists of 18 units of core topics, including theory-based topics and professional experience placements topics. It is designed to provide you with the opportunity to acquire advanced knowledge and skills in critical care nursing, and to apply these in a range of healthcare environments.

Graduate Diploma in Nursing

This course is designed to provide nurses with the opportunity to develop advanced knowledge and skills in scholarship, evidence-based practice, and leadership. It is suited to nurses with a solid foundation in clinical practice who want to improve healthcare. This course does not include any placement in a clinical environment. Students who complete the course specialisation will not meet the requirements to qualify for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.

Masters of Nursing

The Master of Nursing program is specifically tailored for registered nurses in Australia who aspire to enhance their contribution towards the development of healthcare services and the nursing profession. By undertaking this program, they can gain an in-depth understanding of contemporary healthcare practices and develop the skills necessary to apply this knowledge proficiently in both national and international contexts.

Practical experience

Professional experience placements (PEP) aim to provide you with the practical experience required for the workplace. Certain statutory and other requirements must be met before any student is permitted to attend placement. View more details.

Practical experience requirements

You must make a self-declaration as to your fitness to practise and advise of any pre-existing illness or disability that may impair your ability to practise. You will also be required to undergo a police check before your placements.

Students on placement have both an increased risk of most vaccine preventable diseases as well as the potential to transmit infections to susceptible patients. Students who are required to complete placements as part of their course must therefore be immunised in accordance with the relevant state or territory immunisation standards and any additional private provider requirements as needed.

View study program

Graduate Certificate in Critical Care Nursing

Graduate Diploma in Nursing

Master of Nursing (1.5 years)

Master of Nursing (2 years)

Entry requirements

Graduate Certificate

Applicants must normally hold a bachelor degree or equivalent qualification; hold current Registered Nurse registration.

Applicants must demonstrate the ability to meet clinical requirements of this course by completing this Clinical Support form.

Graduate Diploma

Applicants for the graduate diploma must normally hold an approved degree or equivalent qualification, and must be currently registered to practice with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency as a Registered Nurse.

Masters (2 year)

Applicants must normally hold a bachelor degree or equivalent qualification in Nursing; hold current Registered Nurse registration and have one year (Full-time equivalent) work experience as a Registered Nurse, within the last five years.

Masters (1.5 year)

Applicants must normally hold a bachelor degree or equivalent qualification; hold current Registered Nurse registration and have two years (Full-time equivalent) work experience as a Registered Nurse, within the last five years.