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Graduate Certificate in Health (Perioperative Nursing)

100% online course

Study load

Approx 12-15 hours per week* (see course structure)

Duration

9 months (60 credit points)

Intakes

Jan, Apr, Jul, Oct

Take your experience as a nurse in perioperative environments to the next level with a high-quality specialisation in care for the pre, intra and post-operative patient.
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Evolve your perioperative career with tailored expertise

Does the idea of advancing your nursing career in your current perioperative environment interest you? Do you want to accelerate your professional standing and expertise in the field?

In the Graduate Certificate of Health (Perioperative Nursing) you’ll tailor your pre-existing perioperative nursing experience to advance your career.

Support and guidance from health professionals are at the forefront of this online-tailored course. While developing advanced clinical skills for the perioperative patient, you’ll receive expert guidance to develop your professional standing and expertise.

Our Graduate Certificate in Health (Perioperative Nursing) will equip you for a fulfilling future in care for patients who present for surgical intervention.

A Day in the Life of a Perioperative Nursing Student

We caught up with Uwa Imhagwe – a Federation Uni Online student who is close to completing a Graduate Certificate in Health (Perioperative Nursing). In this interview, Uwa described her passion for nursing, her motivations for going back to uni, and her experience of studying online.

Read more.

Course structure

Students may study one unit per teaching period.

Study loads: 15 credit points equates to approx.12-15 hours of learning per week. A 30-credit point unit will require approx. 24-30 hours of learning.

Code: HEALT6003

Contact Hours: 24-30 hours

Credit Points: 30

This unit allows registered nurses to build on their existing knowledge by introducing them to advanced nursing practice. You'll develop an in-depth understanding of human pathophysiology of the major body systems, their alterations and health assessment. This unit will enable nurses to apply advanced level knowledge relating to pathophysiology in a clinical setting.

Code: HEALO6401

Contact Hours: 12-15 hours

Credit Points: 15

Principles of Care for the Perioperative Patient introduces students to the core principles of perioperative nursing and collaborative care for the pre, intra and post-operative patient. It supports students to deliver safe and high-quality person-centred nursing care to patients presenting for surgical intervention.

Code: HEALO6402

Contact Hours: 12-15 hours

Credit Points: 15

Perioperative Nursing Practice explores the applied role of the advanced clinical nurse in perioperative settings. Through this unit students engage in the application of advanced level clinical reasoning in pre, intra and post-operative clinical contexts across the lifespan. This unit focuses on the global, national and local quality and safety standards that provide the guiding principles of quality care.

An inquiry-based learning framework contextualised through clinical experience will enable students to critically analyse and apply evidence based clinical reasoning within the perioperative setting for the safe and effective care of the patient experiencing surgical intervention

What you will learn

Develop an in-depth understanding of the major body systems and use this to support health assessments in a clinical setting.

Learn to deliver safe and high quality, collaborative care for the pre, intra and post-operative patient.

Apply advanced level clinical reasoning in perioperative settings. You’ll examine global, national and local safety standards that provide guiding principles of quality care. 

Entry requirements

Please note: This course is for currently employed registered nurses working in a perioperative environment.

Applicants must have successfully completed a three-year (minimum) Bachelor level qualification in Nursing. You cannot enter based on Diploma level studies.

Applicants must be able to demonstrate current and satisfactory registration with AHPRA as a Registered Nurse and be working a minimum of 19 hours per week in current and ongoing employment in an appropriate perioperative setting.

Upon application, a current resume and letter of agreement from your hospital will be required.

  

The Graduate Certificate in Health (Perioperative Nursing) provides a pathway into further studies at the Graduate Diploma or Masters level. Graduates receive credit for one unit (30 cpts) to continue into the Graduate Diploma of Health (Advanced Nursing). There is a further study pathway into the Master of Health (Advanced Nursing) which is focused on leadership skills.

Completion of the Master of Health provides a pathway into Doctoral studies with Federation University.

Fees

2024 Indicative Fees

$2,223 student contribution amount (Commonwealth Supported Place)

If you’re offered a Commonwealth Supported Place, your fees are subsidised by the Australian Government.

Your fees (student contribution) are set on an annual basis by the government and are determined by the discipline area and band of your individual enrolled units, not the overall course.  Each unit falls into a band which determines the student contribution amount.

Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and the indicative amount should be used as a guide only. Total cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the time it takes to complete your course and any approved credit you receive.

You may need to pay some other fees such as the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).

Support services

Be supported through your studies with services tailored to the online learning environment. Federation University Online personalises support for every student, accessible at every stage of your study journey.

  • Student advisors dedicated to answering your questions about anything from enrolment and course management to essay writing and technical support.
  • Online Learning Advisors (OLAs) guiding you through your course, bringing industry experience and expertise in online learning to your studies.
  • Study and assignment resources to help you get the most out of each unit and submit high quality assessments.
  • An online community made up of a diverse network of students, who you’ll study alongside in learning groups and discussion boards.

Flexible study requires flexible support – discover the services available to you so you can go further.

Learn more

Career outcomes

Graduates of the Graduate Certificate of Health (Perioperative Nursing) is a pathway into further post-graduate studies in related disciplines, at the Graduate Diploma or Masters level. 

Successful completion of the Graduate Certificate in Health (Perioperative Nursing) will enhance your professional standing and provide you with advanced level skills and knowledge for application as a leader in the perioperative nursing community.  

Please note: this course does not lead to registration as a health professional.  

Use your advanced knowledge to provide essential care and support in a variety of surgical settings. 

Provide high-quality care to patients who present for surgical intervention in a day-procedure environment.

Graduates of the Graduate Certificate in Health (Perioperative Nursing) might like to use this as a pathway into further post-graduate studies, such as the Master of Health (Advanced Nursing). 

"Federation University Online offered the course I was after, within a time frame that suited me. The online platform provided by Federation Uni Online was easy to navigate, with a wide range of online resources, with links to up-to-date articles and journals. The industry experience of the teaching staff was also quite helpful."

Uwa Imhagwe

Graduate Certificate in Health (Perioperative Nursing) Student

Uwa-Imhagwe_-Graduate-Certificate-in-Health-Perioperative-Nursing

Industry insights

With a Graduate Certificate in Health (Perioperative Nursing), you will be expertly equipped to provide care in pre, intra and post operative phases in surgical environments such as;

  • Specialist surgical environments
  • Day-procedure environments
  • Surgical environments

Why study Nursing at Federation University Online?

A Federation University Online Nursing degree equips you with the skills to confidently deliver care to our health system’s most urgent and critical patients.

We received 5 stars for Student Support for our Nursing courses, with 80.6% of students feeling satisfied with their support.
We received 5 stars for Skills Development in Health Services, placing our courses in the top 20% in Australia.
We received 5 stars for Learner Engagement in Health Services, meaning that most students felt engaged throughout their studies.

Meet the people behind your course

Dr Blake Peck

Senior Lecturer

Blake Peck is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Health. Blake’s main research interests relate to pediatric injury, the health workforce, childhood long-term illness and qualitative research theory. Blake has been widely published in journal articles relating to nursing and health, and his main teaching areas include research methods, pathophysiology of disease and pharmacology.

Dr Kerry Hood

Senior Lecturer

Kerry Hood is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Health. Kerry has been published across numerous nursing journals and her research interests include interprofessional learning and teaching and learning pedagogy. Kerry’s main teaching areas include education, leadership and social determinants of health.

Get in touch

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