Graduate Diploma in Nursing Science (Acute Care Nursing)

  • N/A
    Guaranteed Entry Score - ATAR
  • Duration

    1 year full-time
    (or part-time equiv.)
  • Start Dates

    February and July
  • Location

    Teaching Hospitals

Note: this program is not available to international students


Advance your career in acute care

Nurses are highly respected members of the community. They care for patients in a range of settings and touch lives with empathy, compassion and humour.

This specialisation is suited to nurses currently practising in medical, surgical and high acuity areas who want to build their acute care competencies for senior positions. Courses are delivered online with only one two-day campus workshop per semester, so the program is ideal for rural or remote nurses.

What will you do?

Our Graduate Diploma in Nursing Science (Acute Care Nursing) has a strong focus on the therapeutic relationship between nurse and patient. You will:

  • work through six courses, three with an acute care focus
  • explore professional issues such as accountability, ethics, advocacy, leadership and cultural competence
  • consider current theories, debates and issues in acute care
  • build skills for research and evidence-based practice.

A generic Graduate Diploma in Nursing Science is also available for nurses without the required speciality experience.

Our Graduate Diploma in Nursing Science is a highly flexible online degree. It’s well suited to registered rural or remote nurses, and those not yet working in a specialty. The degree is structured to include face-to-face sessions in order to meet requirements for international students.



Note:
This degree is only available in blended mode and on-campus attendance is required.  if you are a continuing student in the degree and are unable to attend campus, please contact your program coordinator for program advice.


  • Adelaide Nursing School ranked 51-100 in the world*
  • 24% industry growth predicted by 2025^
  • Flexible online study

*QS World University Rankings by subject, 2023
^Imip.gov.au Occupation projection

Entry Requirements

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Before applying make sure you understand the eligibility and entry requirements for your chosen degree.

Look out for any prerequisites or assumed knowledge subjects. Some degrees also have additional entry requirements like interviews and auditions.

Domestic applicants

SATAC Code 3GD029
Deferment Yes - 2 year
Intake February and July
Additional Entry Requirements
All applicants must upload the following documents as part of the SATAC application: * Current Curriculum Vitae (CV) * Current AHPRA registration certificate * Completed Supervisor Certification form - this form can be downloaded and printed from the following link: https://health.adelaide.edu.au/ua/media/2377/gdns-supervisor-cert.pdf Please note, the Supervisor Certification form requires the applicant's current Nursing Manager/Director to support their application and verify their employment.
Selection Criteria
Graduate entry

Higher Education Study Applicants must: 1. have a completed Bachelor of Nursing degree or equivalent, and have at least one years' experience as a registered nurse in the field of the specialisation to be undertaken, and 2. be registered, or be eligible for registration, as a nurse in Australia or New Zealand and be employed at a minimum of 0.64 FTE in the field of specialisation.

  • Admissions Transparency Data
    Student Profile
    Applicant background Semester one/Full year intake 2023
    Number of students Percentage of all students
    International students N/A N/A
    All students 5 100.0%

Ready to Apply?

Find out more about the application process and start your studies at the University of Adelaide.

Be sure to check the critical dates to avoid missing application deadlines.

Apply

Fees and Scholarships

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Domestic applicants

Indicative annual tuition fees
Commonwealth-supported place: $4,445

Where the standard duration of the program is less than one year the full cost of the program is displayed.

Scholarships

These scholarships, as well as many others funded by industry and non-profit organisations, are available to potential and currently enrolled students.

Find a Scholarship.

Careers

Career Readiness

Graduates are prepared for careers in a variety of settings from clinical to community, rural, acute care and other non-clinical areas. The Graduate Diploma in Nursing Science (Acute Care Nursing) provides graduates with a rigorous grounding in acute care and competencies required to take on a senior position working within Acute Care.



The University of Adelaide Careers Service prepares, inspires and empowers students to achieve successful career transitions and connect with industry.

Graduate Attributes

The objective of this program is to produce graduates with specific attributes as outlined in University of Adelaide Graduate Attributes.
  1. Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
  2. Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
  3. Teamwork and communication skills
  4. Professionalism and leadership readiness
  5. Intercultural and ethical competency
  6. Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency
  7. Digital capabilities
  8. Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

Potential careers

Graduates of this program have gone on to roles such as:

Nurse;  Nurse Manager;  Nurse Researcher;  Clinical Nurse Consultant

Degree Structure

Academic Program Rules

The Calendar is a comprehensive handbook of the University's academic program rules.

 

Example Study Plan

Indicative study plan
Year1 S1

NURSING 7105
Acute Care Nursing I

NURSING 7113
Recognition &
Response to
Clinical  Deterioration

NURSING 7102
Research Literacy
S2 NURSING 7106
Acute Care Nursing II
NURSING 7100
Knowledge Translation
NURSING 7101
Professional Practice

Testimonial

My confidence has grown immensely from each placement, which has made me feel prepared and excited to start my career as a Health Psychologist.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Last updated: Tuesday, 10 Oct 2023