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CH79 - Graduate Certificate in Nursing (Re-Entry)

Overview

Compulsory Residential School

Some units in this course require you to attend a compulsory Residential School or Work Integrated Learning. Please see Course Features in the Getting Started tab for further information.

Course Overview

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 industry based learning. On successful completion of the Graduate Certificate of 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 prerequisite for enrolment into the course.

Career Information

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.

Course Details
Duration 0.5 years full-time or 1 years part-time
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
AQF Level Level 8: Graduate Certificate
Course Fees
Indicative Year - 2024
  • Commonwealth Supported Place – Indicative First Year Fee - $2,221
  • Domestic Full Fee Paying – Indicative First Year Fee - $13,878
  • International Indicative First Term Fee - $16,200
  • International Indicative First Year Fee - $16,200
Indicative Year - 2023
  • Commonwealth Supported Place – Indicative First Year Fee - $2,061
  • Domestic Full Fee Paying – Indicative First Year Fee - $13,092
Indicative Year - 2022
  • Domestic Full Fee Paying – Indicative First Year Fee - $12,708
  • Commonwealth Supported Place – Indicative First Year Fee - $1,992

Admission Codes

Domestic Students
Tertiary Admission Centre Codes (TAC) Codes
Not Applicable
International Students
CRICOS Codes
Not Applicable
Where and when can I start?
Units offered internally at the below campuses may be delivered using a combination of face-to-face and video conferencing style teaching.
Units offered via MIX mode are delivered online and require compulsory attendance of site-specific learning activities such as on-campus residential schools, placements and/or work integrated learning. See Course Features tab for further information. Online units are delivered using online resources only.
Please Click Here for more information.
The following tables list the courses availabilities by location and term. Directing your pointer over your preferred location will provide further information if this course is not available for the full duration. Please be sure to also check individual unit availability by location and term prior to enrolling.

Domestic Availability

Term 2 - 2025

Online

Term 1 - 2025

Online

Term 2 - 2024

Online

Term 1 - 2024

Online

Term 2 - 2023

Cairns
Online

Term 1 - 2023

Cairns
Online

Term 2 - 2022

Online

Term 1 - 2022

Online

Term 2 - 2021

Online

Term 1 - 2021

Online

Term 3 - 2020

Online

Term 2 - 2020

Online

Term 1 - 2020

Online

Term 3 - 2019

Online

Term 2 - 2019

Online

Term 1 - 2019

Online

Term 3 - 2018

This course has a clinical placement unit that requires MANDATORY security and health checks. Due to the short timeframe of this course, applicants must make themselves familiar with these checks and commence obtaining them prior to starting to ensure due dates for clinical placement attendance are met in the early stages of the course. Please go to the More Details tab for further information and links.
Distance

Term 2 - 2018

This course has a clinical placement unit that requires MANDATORY security and health checks. Due to the short timeframe of this course, applicants must make themselves familiar with these checks and commence obtaining them prior to starting to ensure due dates for clinical placement attendance are met in the early stages of the course. Please go to the More Details tab for further information and links.
Distance

Term 1 - 2018

This course has a clinical placement unit that requires MANDATORY security and health checks. Due to the short timeframe of this course, applicants must make themselves familiar with these checks and commence obtaining them prior to starting to ensure due dates for clinical placement attendance are met in the early stages of the course. Please go to the More Details tab for further information and links.
Distance

Term 3 - 2017

This course has a clinical placement unit that requires MANDATORY security and health checks. Due to the short timeframe of this course, applicants must make themselves familiar with these checks and commence obtaining them prior to starting to ensure due dates for clinical placement attendance are met in the early stages of the course. Please go to the More Details tab for further information and links.
Distance

Term 2 - 2017

This course has a clinical placement unit that requires MANDATORY security and health checks. Due to the short timeframe of this course, applicants must make themselves familiar with these checks and commence obtaining them prior to starting to ensure due dates for clinical placement attendance are met in the early stages of the course. Please go to the More Details tab for further information and links.
Distance
Show All

International Availability

Term 2 - 2025

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 1 - 2025

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 2 - 2024

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 1 - 2024

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 2 - 2023

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 1 - 2023

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 2 - 2022

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 1 - 2022

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 2 - 2021

Online

Term 1 - 2021

Online

Term 3 - 2020

Online

Term 2 - 2020

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 1 - 2020

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 3 - 2019

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 2 - 2019

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 1 - 2019

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 3 - 2018

This course has a clinical placement unit that requires MANDATORY security and health checks. Due to the short timeframe of this course, applicants must make themselves familiar with these checks and commence obtaining them prior to starting to ensure due dates for clinical placement attendance are met in the early stages of the course. Please go to the More Details tab for further information and links.
Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 2 - 2018

This course has a clinical placement unit that requires MANDATORY security and health checks. Due to the short timeframe of this course, applicants must make themselves familiar with these checks and commence obtaining them prior to starting to ensure due dates for clinical placement attendance are met in the early stages of the course. Please go to the More Details tab for further information and links.
Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 1 - 2018

This course has a clinical placement unit that requires MANDATORY security and health checks. Due to the short timeframe of this course, applicants must make themselves familiar with these checks and commence obtaining them prior to starting to ensure due dates for clinical placement attendance are met in the early stages of the course. Please go to the More Details tab for further information and links.
Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 3 - 2017

This course has a clinical placement unit that requires MANDATORY security and health checks. Due to the short timeframe of this course, applicants must make themselves familiar with these checks and commence obtaining them prior to starting to ensure due dates for clinical placement attendance are met in the early stages of the course. Please go to the More Details tab for further information and links.
Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 2 - 2017

This course has a clinical placement unit that requires MANDATORY security and health checks. Due to the short timeframe of this course, applicants must make themselves familiar with these checks and commence obtaining them prior to starting to ensure due dates for clinical placement attendance are met in the early stages of the course. Please go to the More Details tab for further information and links.
Sorry, no international availabilities found.
Show All
For any problems regarding admissions availability for the selected course please contact 13 CQUni (13 27 86) or send us an email at http://contactus.cqu.edu.au/
What do I need to start?
Entry Requirements

Students must be referred by AHPRA to undertake this course..

Assumed Knowledge

Previous experience of online learning

Computer literacy

English

Fees and Charges
Course Features

Awards and Accreditation

Interim Awards Not applicable
Exit Awards Not applicable
Accreditation
  • Professional Practice: Core
    Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC)

    This course has professional accreditation with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, subject to Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) approval.

Residential School Requirements

Compulsory Residential School Students must attend a 5-day compulsory residential school prior to clinical placement. The location of the residential school will be determined by timetabling.
Click here to view all Residential Schools

Practicum/Work Placement

NURS20162 - Students will complete 160hours of clinical nursing

Previous and Current Enrolments

Year Number of Students
2024 32
2023 42
2022 50
2021 76
2020 92
Inherent Requirements
There are Inherent Requirements (IRs) that you need to be aware of, and fulfil, to achieve the core learning outcomes of the units and course. IRs are the essential capabilities, knowledge, behaviours and skills that are needed to complete a unit or course.

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.

Ethical Behaviour

Examples are:

  • Complying with academic and non-academic misconduct policies and procedures such as CQUniversity’s Student Charter, Student Misconduct Policy and Student Behavioural Misconduct Procedures and Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
  • Treating personal information obtained in classroom and clinical settings as private and confidential.
  • Respecting an individual’s/group’s diversity by demonstrating sensitivity to religious, cultural land individual differences.
  • Demonstrating an ability to reflect on ethical dilemmas and issues and take responsibility for ensuring awareness of ethical behaviour.


Behavioural Stability

Examples are:

  • Being receptive and responding appropriately to different viewpoints, to constructive feedback and to direction from academics and clinical staff.
  • Interacting positively and effectively in groups with other students while attending activities related to the course.
  • Contributing to on-line discussion forums and tutorials with peers and academics whilst using respectful language and tone.
  • Coping with your own emotions, responses and behaviour effectively when dealing with challenging situations in the clinical setting.


Legal Compliance

Examples are:

  • Complying with the requirement for student registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
  • Complying with mandatory reporting requirements.
  • Understanding and adhering to professional policy around the use of social media.
  • Undertaking nursing care within the scope of practice relevant to the required knowledge and level of progression through your course of study.
  • Understanding and adhering to legal requirements associated with the administration of medications.
Communication Skills (Verbal, Non-verbal, Written and Technology)
Examples are:
  • Actively participating in discussion activities related to the course.
  • Using language that is appropriate to the context of the individual or group.
  • Responding appropriately to a care request in the clinical environment.
  • Providing the health care team with verbal handover reports related to patient care.
  • Recognising and interpreting non-verbal cues of others and respond appropriately during activities related to the course.
  • Incorporating the use of effective non-verbal cues such as eye contact when communicating with academics and peers during activities related to the course building positive learning relationships.
  • Recognising and interpreting non-verbal cues of the health care team, peers, patients and others and respond appropriately during clinical placement.
Cognitive Abilities (Knowledge and Cognitive Skills, Literacy and Numeracy)

Examples are:

  • Conceptualising and using appropriate knowledge in response to academic assessment items.
  • Completing academic learning activities and assessment tasks, and performing clinical skills within reasonable set timeframes.
  • Applying knowledge of policy and procedures in the clinical setting.
  • Applying theoretical knowledge and understanding health history when undertaking patient assessment during admissions in clinical practice.
Sensory Abilities (Visual, Auditory, Tactile)

Examples are:

  • Focussing on and recognising objects that are either near or far, e.g. reading learning resources such as lecture and tutorial screens face-to-face on-campus or on-line; as well as reading examination papers and/or on-line computer quizzes.
  • Observing non-verbal behaviour and other situations in a variety of professional settings.
  • Accurately drawing up and administering medication.
  • Observing and detecting subtle changes in wounds.
  • Detecting changes in skin colour and general tissue perfusion.
  • Hearing verbal communication from other students and lecturers during activities related to the course.
  • Accurately interpreting the verbal communication and direction of clinical staff during emergency situations.
  • Accurately detecting a blood pressure measurement, listening to heart, lung and bowel sounds by auscultation using a stethoscope.
  • Responding to a care request by activation of a call bell or calls for help.
  • Detecting changes in circulation observations e.g. assessing skin temperature and palpating pulses.
  • Conducting a physical assessment detecting anatomical abnormalities e.g. swelling or alteration in texture.
  • Using touch appropriately as an alternative means of conveying positive messages to patients such as emotional support and encouragement.
Relational Skills
Examples are:
  • Adhering to the registered nurse standards for practice, in particular, Standard 2
  • Establishing, sustaining and concluding relationships in a way that differentiates the boundaries between professional and personal relationships.
  • Communicating effectively and respecting a person's dignity, culture, values, beliefs and rights.
  • Recognising that people are the experts in the experience of their life.
  • Providing support and directing people to resources to optimise health-related decisions.
  • Advocating on behalf of people in a manner that respects the person's autonomy and legal capacity.
  • Using delegation, supervision, coordination, consultation and referrals in professional relationships to improve health outcomes.
  • Actively fostering a culture of safety and learning that includes engaging with health professionals and others to share knowledge and practice that supports person-centred care.
  • Participating in and/or leading collaborative practice.
  • Reporting notifiable conduct of health professionals, health workers and others.
Reflective Skills

Examples are:

  • Reflecting on topics taught during the course of study, including on situations that may be difficult or sensitive, yet still require reflective processing, judgement or action.
  • Identifying when a practice issue is outside your scope.
  • Identifying when your practice may be negatively affected by personal experience and/or reactions.
  • Reflecting on your progress against the NMBA Registered Nurse Standards for Practice during work-integrated learning and identify sources and strategies to enhance practice and improve professional learning.


Sustainable Performance

Examples are:

  • Actively participating in activities related to the course.
  • Undertaking examinations and on-line quizzes with adequate, sustained levels of physical energy and concentration.
  • Participating in learning clinical skills and engaging in simulation activities during on-campus learning and teaching situations.
  • Performing consistent care and completing repetitive tasks during clinical practice with sustained concentration and physical energy for an 8 to 12 hour period of time that may be at night.
Strength and Mobility (Gross Motor Skills and Fine Motor Skills)

Examples are:

  • Incorporating a range of gross motor skills while participating effectively in activities related to the course.
  • Maintaining balance while safely mobilising and transferring individuals or resources.
  • Moving with ease around patients’ bedsides, bathrooms and equipment items while delivering care activities and responding to emergencies.
  • Safely retrieving and utilising stock and equipment.
  • Inserting a urinary catheter.
  • Manipulating intricate surgical instruments and equipment while dressing a wound.
  • Manipulating syringes and needles during preparation and administration of medications addressing safety to self and others.
  • Priming, accurately inserting and setting prescribed rates on an infusion device.
Interpersonal Engagement
Examples are:
  • Adhering to the registered nurse standards for practice, in particular Standard 2.
  • Establishing, sustaining and concluding relationships in a way that differentiates the boundaries between professional and personal relationships.
  • Communicating effectively and respecting a person's dignity, culture, values, beliefs and rights.
  • Recognising that people are the experts in the experience of their life.
  • Providing support and directing people to resources to optimise health related decisions.
  • Advocating on behalf of people in a manner that respects the person's autonomy and legal capacity.
  • Using delegation, supervision, coordination, consultation and referrals in professional relationships to achieve improved health outcomes.
  • Actively fostering a culture of safety and learning that includes engaging with health professionals and others, to share knowledge and practice that supports person-centres care.
  • Participating in and/or leading collaborative practice.
  • Reporting notifiable conduct of health professionals, health workers and others.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Abilities

Examples are:

  • Competently using a desktop operating system like Microsoft Windows or Mac OS X.
  • Accessing a computer and having sufficient computer skills to engage in online learning, reading and responding as required to emails, and completing relevant assessments for the course.
  • Regularly accessing the Internet for research and email for communication with peers and lecturers.
Compulsory Requirements
Health Requirements

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.

COVID-19 Vaccination Advice

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.    

Security Requirements

Mandatory security requirements include an Australian Federal Police clearance, working with children check, and NDIS worker screening clearance.

Other Compulsory Requirements

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.

Core Learning Outcomes
  • 1. Apply legal, ethical and clinical standards and frameworks to nursing practice
  • 2. Evaluate the health impact of discrimination and the social determinants of health, particularly as they affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
  • 3. Implement an evidence-informed nursing care plan, prioritising for patient acuity
  • 4. Use the principles of clinical leadership to delegate, communicate and create evidence-informed change
  • 5. Demonstrate the safe and judicious administration of medications taking into account drug doses, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.
  Course Learning Outcomes
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
Course Structure

In order to complete this course, you must:

  1. Complete the core structure
Number of units: 3 Total credit points: 24

To be eligible to graduate with a Graduate Certificate in Nursing (Re-Entry) students must complete

Available units
Students must complete the following compulsory units:
NURS20160 The Nurse Professional
Available units
Students must complete the following compulsory units:
NURS20161 Contemporary Australian Healthcare
Available units
Students must complete the following compulsory units:
NURS20162 Clinical Nursing Practice
More Details

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 ensuring 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

You may undertake this course either full-time or part-time (recommended).  You can enrol yourself directly into 2 units once you are enrolled into the course.  Please advise the Head of Course (CH79@cqu.edu.au) if you wish to study full time. 

The study load for full time is approximately 50hrs/week.  Study is conducted 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.  It is not compulsory for you to attend; however, they are highly recommended.  They will be recorded and available to students to watch.

You will be part of an online student classroom and there are many opportunities to work with your classmates.

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.

Clinical Placement

Clinical placement occurs at the end of term, after week 12. 

You should be prepared to travel for clinical placement.

You should be prepared for a break between week 12 and the commencement of clinical placements.

In the unit NURS20162 (Clinical Nurse Practice) you will undertake 160 hours of clinical placement in an approved health facility.  In the term that you are enrolled to study this unit, you must submit mandatory security and health checks 1 week before the Census date.  If you cannot supply evidence may be asked to withdraw from the unit.

Due to the timeframe which some of these requirements take to complete, it is vital that applicants commence this process as soon as possible. 

The following link provides details on the checks required:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AUo5OVprk-dpHL0zgvp9Y_IhY_1A9PVFJxm-AIY-9Qk/edit

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.