Study load
Approx 12-15 hours per week* (see course structure)
Duration
9 months (60 credit points)
Intakes
Jan, Apr, Jul, Oct
Are you an intensive care nurse who wants to take your career to the next level? Do you want to learn how to provide the best care for the most critically ill patients in our healthcare system?
The Graduate Certificate in Health (Intensive Care Nursing) is for registered nurses looking to develop and integrate advanced level theoretical knowledge and clinical reasoning for the care of critically ill patients. In this course you’ll learn how to apply clinical reasoning in the intensive care clinical setting and build your knowledge of pathophysiology and health assessment.
This course will help you develop your skills and knowledge in critical patient care, leadership, communication, and evidence-based practice. You will also benefit from flexible learning options and a supportive learning environment. Don’t miss this opportunity to advance your professional practice and make an impact in intensive care nursing.
How To Balance Study Around A Nurse’s Work Schedule
Working as a nurse while studying is possible thanks to the flexibility of online learning. It’s never been easier to gain a new qualification while maintaining your income – all it takes is some smart scheduling and forward planning.
Course structure
Course structure
Students may study one unit per teaching period. 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.
Pathophysiology & Health Assessment For Advanced Practice
Code: HEALT6003
Contact Hours: 24-30 hours
Credit Points: 30
Core Principles of Care for the Intensive Care Patient
Code: HEALC6401
Contact Hours: 12-15 hours
Credit Points: 15
Intensive Care Nursing Practice
Code: HEALC6402
Contact Hours: 12-15 hours
Credit Points: 15
What you will learn
What you will learn
Caring for the intensive care patient
Learn to provide assessment and ongoing management for patients in an intensive care setting. You’ll learn to provide safe and quality nursing care to patients at their most vulnerable.
Intensive care nursing practice
Apply knowledge of interpersonal skills, communication skills, and the use of various medical devices and equipment that are used in the ICU, such as ventilators, monitors, catheters, feeding tubes, and infusion pumps.
Advanced knowledge of pathophysiology
Develop an in-depth understanding of the major body systems and use this to support health assessments in a clinical setting.
Patient care
Gain the skills and knowledge to manage patients who need specialist care in an intensive care setting such as management of patients of dialysis, monitoring the vital signs, blood tests, and other indicators of the patient’s condition.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
Please note: This course is for currently employed registered nurses working in an ICU nursing environmentfcareer.
Entry requirements
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 intensive or critical care setting.
Upon application, a current resume and letter of agreement from your hospital will be required.
Further study
The Graduate Certificate in Health (Intensive Care 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.
Support services
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 moreAccreditation
Accreditation
This course does not lead to professional registration with AHPRA, however students and graduates are encouraged to apply for membership to the Australian College of Critical Care Nurses.
Career outcomes
Career outcomes
Clinical nurse specialist
Share your advanced nursing knowledge to support the wider nursing team. You’ll provide direct patient care in acute settings, while also finding opportunities to improve clinical practice.
Clinical nurse educator
Help other nurses gain the skills and knowledge to provide the best possible intensive care to their patients. You’ll be able to apply your leadership and communication skills in this role.
Unit Manager or Associate
Supervise and manage a nursing team. In this role you’ll work closely with a variety of healthcare professionals in order to optimise patient care.
ICU liaison nurse
Train and mentor ward staff on how to manage patients who have been discharged from the ICU or who are at risk of deterioration. An ICU liaison nurse also runs courses and workshops on topics such as tracheostomy care, management of deteriorating patients, and critical care skills. They also provide information and emotional support to the families of patients who have been in the ICU or who are critically ill.
I’ve absolutely loved it, even though I was really worried about studying again. But you make that decision and you make the commitment to do it and it just happens.
- Stacey Krahne, Federation University Graduate, Nursing
Discover Your Path in Nursing with Federation University Online!
Take the next step in your nursing career with our free, downloadable Nursing Career Road Map. This essential guide helps you explore which courses align with your current qualifications and outlines potential career outcomes. Uncover the best path to advance your career today.
Industry insights
With a Graduate Certificate in Health (Intensive Care Nursing) from Federation University Online, you’ll be equipped with the critical skills to take on a number of important roles within intensive care units, including:
- Clinical nurse specialist
- Clinical nurse educator
- Nurse unit manager or Associate nurse unit manager
- Critical Care Outreach or ICU liaison nurse.
The demand for Nurse Unit Managers is on the rise, with a projected job growth of 23.1% over just the next five years.
The most common annual salary for a Nurse Unit Manager in Australia is $130,000
The Health Care and Social Assistance sector is Australia’s largest employer, and is expected to add the most jobs—301,000—by November 2026.
Fees
2025 Indicative Fees
$2,314 student contribution amount (Commonwealth Supported Place) per certificate.
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.
Other fees
You may need to pay some other fees such as the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).
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.
Alicia Perkins
Lecturer
Alicia Perkins is a Lecturer in the School of Health who teaches clinical nursing (cardiology, critical care and trauma). Alicia’s research interests include stress management across nursing specialties, PTSD in in-hospital clinicians, compassion satisfaction, compassion fatigue, burnout syndrome and motivators for learning in undergraduate and postgraduate nurses.
Why study online with Federation University?
Unparalleled flexibility
Online study is the freedom to fit further study in your life, and to do it on your terms.
Personalised support
You will have full access to support services, with tailored support available across extended hours.
Make it happen online
You will make an impact in whatever you choose to do with practical- and industry-focused courses.