The Graduate Certificate in Nursing (Re-Entry) enables you to develop advanced knowledge and skills in order to return to work as a Registered Nurse. This course will build on your existing theoretical, practical and research knowledge. This course will include a five-day residential school and 160 hours of work-integrated learning which you will undertake after week 12. On successful completion of the Graduate Certificate in Nursing (Re-Entry), you will be eligible for registration as a Registered Nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. Referral by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency is a prerequisite for enrolment into the course.
Graduates of the Graduate Certificate in Nursing (Re-Entry) are eligible for nursing registration with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Once registration has been achieved, graduates can choose from many different nursing specialties.
Duration | 0.5 years full-time or 1 years part-time |
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Credit Points that Must be Earned | 24 |
Number of Units Required | CQUniversity uses the concept of credits to express the amount of study required for a particular course and individual units. The number of units varies between courses. Units in postgraduate courses normally consist of 6 points of credit or multiples thereof (e.g. 12, 18, 24). |
Expected Hours of Study | One point of credit is equivalent to an expectation of approximately two hours of student work per week in a term. |
Course Type | Postgraduate Award |
Qualification (post nominal) | GradCertN(Re-Entry) |
AQF Level | Level 8: Graduate Certificate |
Course Fees |
Indicative Year - 2024
Indicative Year - 2023
Indicative Year - 2022
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Domestic Students Tertiary Admission Centre Codes (TAC) Codes |
Not Applicable |
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International Students CRICOS Codes |
Not Applicable |
To be eligible to enrol in this course applicants must be referred by the AHPRA/NMBA to undertake "a board approved re-entry to practice program". A copy of this referral must be supplied with your application. NMBA/AHPRA referrals have an expiry date, therefore, applicants are responsible for ensuring they have sufficient time to complete the course (including work-integrated learning). For further information please refer to the Nursing and Midwifery Board Re-Entry to Practice.
Domestic students from non-English speaking backgrounds may be required to undertake an academic IELTS (International English Language Testing System) with a minimum achievement of 7 across all bands and overall prior to undertaking their clinical placement. This is in order to meet Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council standard 5.6. At the discretion of the Head of Course, students may be referred to an internal English short course at their own expense. This is in order to meet Australia Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council standard 2.2.
Students must seek permission from the Head of Course to be enrolled in full-time study. Part-time study does not require approval.
It is strongly recommended that students have computer literacy skills and can write in English at an academic level. Prior experience of online learning will be of benefit to students enrolled in this course.
Students are expected to commit to 12.5 hours per week, per unit, therefore, students who have multiple time commitments are strongly encouraged to study part-time.
Interim Awards | Not applicable |
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Exit Awards | Not applicable |
Accreditation |
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Compulsory Residential School | Students must attend a 5-day compulsory residential school at the end of the term, before attending work-integrated learning. The location of the residential school will be determined by timetabling. |
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Click here to view all Residential Schools |
NURS20162 - Students will complete 160 hours of work-integrated learning in an area of nursing where they have relevant experience. Student rosters will be at the discretion of the facility, it is expected that students work all shifts. Students may be required to travel to attend work-integrated learning. |
Year | Number of Students |
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2024 | 53 |
2023 | 42 |
2022 | 50 |
2021 | 76 |
2020 | 92 |
Please note that in some instances there may be similarities between course, entry and inherent requirements.
If you experience difficulties meeting these requirements, reasonable adjustments may be made upon contacting accessibility@cqu.edu.au. Adjustment must not compromise the academic integrity of the degree or course chosen at CQUniversity or the legal requirements of field education.
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Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) placements apply to this course and as such are subject to compulsory pre-placement conditions referred to as mandatory checks and are outlined in the health, security and other compulsory requirements sections. Mandatory checks are determined by industry, organisations, legislation, regulations, policies, and procedures. To be eligible for a WIL placement, students must first achieve compliance with mandatory checks by each closing date before a WIL placement and maintain current evidence for the duration of the course.
Mandatory health requirements include immunisation and vaccination evidence (and serology where required) for the following diseases: Hepatitis B, Measles, Mumps and Rubella, Varicella, Pertussis, Influenza, and Tuberculosis screening. Respirator mask fit testing is also an annual requirement for this course.
Effective 25 September 2023, updates have been made to the COVID-19 vaccination mandate for Queensland Health sites and the Queensland Ambulance Service. While Queensland Health does not currently mandate evidence of COVID-19 vaccination, it's essential to recognise that other organisations may enforce their own vaccination specific criteria. This situation is similar across other states and territories, with the exception of Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia, where COVID-19 vaccination is mandatory for all healthcare students.
Mandatory security requirements include an Australian Federal Police clearance, working with children check, and NDIS worker screening clearance.
Other mandatory requirements include a First Aid and CPR certificate, student agreement to privacy and confidentiality, adherence to AHPRA policies for a registered student professional, fitness to participate in WIL student declaration, jurisdictional and site-specific compulsory requirements, and other training modules.
Course Learning Outcomes | |||||
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Australian Qualifications Framework Descriptors | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
1. KNOWLEDGE Have specialised knowledge within a systematic and coherent body of knowledge that may include the acquisition and application of knowledge and skills in a new or existing discipline or professional area | |||||
2. SKILLS Have cognitive skills to review,analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge and identify and provide solutions to complex problems | |||||
3. SKILLS Have cognitive skills to think critically and to generate and evaluate complex ideas | |||||
4. SKILLS Have specialised technical and creative skills in a field of highly skilled and/or professional practice | |||||
5. SKILLS Have communication skills to demonstrate an understanding of theoretical concepts | |||||
6. SKILLS Have communication skills to transfer complex knowledge and ideas to a variety of audiences | |||||
7. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Be able to make high level, independent judgements in a range of technical or management functions in varied specialised contexts | |||||
8. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Be able to initiate, plan, implement and evaluate broad functions within varied specialised technical and/or creative contexts | |||||
9. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILL Be responsible and accountable for personal outputs and all aspects of the work or function of others within broad parameters | |||||
10. FOUNDATIONAL KNOWLEDGE sufficient to undertake qualifications | |||||
11. ACQUISITION AND APPLICATION of knowledge in new or existing disciplines or professional areas drawn from higher education units | |||||
12. FOUNDATIONAL SKILLS sufficient to undertake qualifications | |||||
13. ACQUISITION AND APPLICATION of skills in new or existing disciplines or professional areas drawn from higher education units | |||||
14. Course content drawn from higher education units |
Number of units: 3 | Total credit points: 24 |
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Students must seek approval from the Head of Course to be enrolled full-time.
Students studying part-time must undertake the subjects in the following order: 1. NURS20160, 2. NURS20161, 3. NURS20162.
Students may study NURS20160 and NURS20161 together.
NURS20162 incorporates a 5-day residential school held at the end of the term. Students must complete residential school before attending work-integrated learning. Students who cannot participate in residential school must wait until the next term the unit is offered before they can attend residential school and work-integrated learning.
NURS20162 incorporates 160 hours of work-integrated learning which takes place after residential school at the end of the term. Dates of work-integrated learning are at the discretion of the health facility and students must be prepared for the placement to extend beyond the end of the term. Students may be required to travel to attend work-integrated learning.
To be eligible to graduate with a Graduate Certificate in Nursing (Re-Entry) students must complete:
Available units | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
NURS20160 | The Nurse Professional |
Available units | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
NURS20161 | Contemporary Australian Healthcare |
Available units | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
NURS20162 | Clinical Nursing Practice |
This is a capped course. Applications will close after the admission quota has been met.
AHPRA/NMBA referral
For your application to be considered, you must have a referral from the AHPRA/NMBA to undertake a board-approved re-entry course. Attach a copy of the referral to your application. You must ensure your registration and re-entry referral remains in good standing with AHPRA. Lapsed registration may result in ineligibility to continue in the course.
For information on this please go to http://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Registration-and-Endorsement/reentry-to-practice.aspx
Course Structure
This course is designed to prepare you with the current skills and knowledge to safely re-enter and practice as a general Registered Nurse in the healthcare environment. The teaching and learning concepts within the course are commensurate with the Graduate Certificate qualification level and constitute significantly more than a ‘refresher’ course.
Therefore, it is recommended that you undertake the course part-time which equates to approximately 25 hours per week of study or two units (or equivalent) of study. If you would like to study full-time, i.e., 50 hours per week (more than two units), please consult with the Head of Course (CH79@cqu.edu.au) before enrolment in any units.
Outside of the residential school and work-integrated learning placement (clinical placement) mentioned below, learning and teaching opportunities occur online, therefore you will require reliable access to the internet and a computer/laptop. This is a course requirement.
There are weekly online workshops held during the term. Live attendance is not compulsory, however, is highly recommended. Sessions will be recorded and available for viewing at a time convenient for you. You will be part of an online student classroom and there are many opportunities to work with your classmates.
Pre-clinical checks
To complete this course, you will be required to undergo numerous pre-clinical checks. These checks are due early in your enrolment and as strict deadlines apply, you are strongly advised to complete these checks as a matter of urgency as soon as your enrolment in the course is confirmed. If you do not submit these checks on time, you will be asked to withdraw from the respective unit. For further information please contact - WILCompliance@cqu.edu.au
Residential school (within unit NURS20162)
To complete this course, you will be required to attend a compulsory, five-day residential school, historically held in Cairns, QLD towards the end of the term and pass all associated assessments. Any expenses incurred in attending the residential school rest with you. Confirmation of residential school dates will be provided after the relative census date. Please do not finalise any travel arrangements to Cairns until you have received this confirmation.
Work-integrated learning (WIL)/ Clinical Placement (within unit NURS20162)
Clinical placement occurs at the end of the term, after residential school. You will undertake 160 hours of clinical placement in an approved health facility – this equates to four weeks of full-time shift work – morning, afternoon, and night duty, across seven days. Requests to undertake clinical placement part-time are generally declined by facilities. You should be prepared to travel for clinical placement and a break between completing residential school and the commencement of placement.
Student Support
We understand that many students find studying online daunting and that you may be undertaking this course under stressful circumstances. We have a range of academic and personal resources to support you through the course. Please contact the Head of Course, or one of the teaching team, if you need support. Early intervention is associated with better outcomes.
Application for Credit Transfer
Credit Transfer is not permitted under the accreditation requirements of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council.
NMBA Student Nurse Registration
This course has professional accreditation with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. In addition to your registration as a nurse (with conditions/restrictions), you will be registered as a student nurse.
The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) undertakes functions as set by the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law, as in force in each state and territory (the National Law). The NMBA regulates the practice of nursing and midwifery in Australia, and one of its key roles is to protect the public.
Under the National Law, all nursing and midwifery students enrolled in an approved program of study, or who are undertaking clinical training, must be registered as a student with the NMBA.
Education providers are responsible for making sure they have provided the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), on behalf of the NMBA, with the details of all students enrolled in an approved program of study or who are undertaking clinical training.
The National Law, guides that students should be registered in the interests of public safety and the effect of student registration should be as limited as is necessary to protect public safety.
Under the National Law, the NMBA has the power to register students. Student registration allows the NMBA to assist students with impairment and act appropriately when convictions of a serious nature may affect public safety.
The NMBA and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) have no role in the academic progress or conduct of students, other than when they have:
offences punishable by 12 months imprisonment or more, or
a conviction of, or are the subject of, a finding of guilt for an offence punishable by imprisonment.