Study load
Part-time, approximately 12-15 hours per week
Duration
9 months (60 credit points)
Intakes
Jan, Apr, Jul, Oct
Intensive care nurses work in intensive care and high dependency units supporting patients who need urgent and critical care. In this program, you’ll examine key aspects of critical patient care whilst also developing your analytical, leadership and communication skills.
Make an impact – become an intensive care nurse and take an active role in the management of the sickest patients within 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 program 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 is a dual online delivery and work-integrated model of learning where you’ll learn how to apply your clinical skills to patients who have urgent and complex care requirements. Through this blend of online learning and work experience, you’ll develop confidence and communication skills to prepare you for practice. Upon graduation, you’ll have the skills to work in intensive care units across rural and metropolitan areas.
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
Learn to apply your theoretical knowledge in a clinical setting.
Advanced pathophysiology
Build on your existing knowledge of the major body systems. You’ll gain increased confidence in providing health assessments to a variety of patients.
Patient management
Learn to manage patients requiring specialist treatment in an intensive care setting.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
Non-Year 12
Applicants must have successfully completed a three-year (minimum) Bachelor level qualification in a related health cognate discipline area.
Applicants must be able to demonstrate current and satisfactory registration with AHPRA as a Registered Nurse and a minimum of 0.5 EFT current and ongoing employment in an appropriate intensive or critical care setting. A current resume must be submitted with the application.
Credit Arrangements
Completion of the Graduate Certificate in Health (Intensive Care Nursing) or Graduate Diploma provides a pathway into the Master of Health (Advanced Nursing) focused on leadership and advanced clinical skills. Completion of the Master of Health provides a pathway into Doctoral studies with Federation University.
Diploma Entry Pathways
Applicants must have successfully completed a three-year (minimum) Bachelor level qualification in a related health cognate discipline area – they cannot enter based on Diploma level studies.
Fees
Fees
Fees are subject to change annually.
Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
$1,992 estimated certificate tuition fee.
This Certificate is 0.5 EFTSL (equivalent full-time study load) or 60 credit points. 1 EFTSL or 120 credit points is equivalent to a standard year of full time study.
The tuition fees you pay will vary depending on the subjects you choose to study as each subject has its own credit point value and cost. The total cost will vary depending on the subjects you choose, your study load and the time it takes to complete your course.
Other fees
You may need to pay some other fees such as the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).
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 course 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 program 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
Provide staff education and support; ward assessment and liaison; patient care and support; and family education and support.
“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
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
- Unit Manager or Associate
- ICU liaison nurse.
The demand for Nurse Unit Managers is on the rise, with a projected job growth of 18.1% over just the next five years.
The most common annual salary for a Nurse Unit Manager in Victoria is $120,000
The demand for Clinical Nurses is on the rise, with a projected job growth of 15.1% over just the next five years.
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.