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Deakin University

  • 21% international / 79% domestic

Graduate Certificate of Intensive Care Nursing

  • Graduate Certificate

With job growth of 12.2% projected for registered nurses by 2028,* there is an industry demand for nurses with advanced specialty skills.

Key details

Degree Type
Graduate Certificate
Course Code
H545

About this course

With job growth of 12.2% projected for registered nurses by 2028,* there is an industry demand for nurses with advanced specialty skills. As a registered nurse, Deakin's Graduate Certificate of Intensive Care Nursing will equip you with the knowledge and skills required to comprehensively care for critically ill patients in intensive care and high dependency units at an advanced practice level.

Ranked #16 in the world^, our School of Nursing and Midwifery is one of the largest and best in Australia. By studying your Graduate Certificate of Intensive Care Nursing at Deakin, you will be guided through industry-informed coursework by experts in critical care nursing and have access to the School's extensive cutting-edge research, which is recognised as well above world standard#.

Are you ready to build upon your existing knowledge and skills and play a greater role in the care of the critically ill?



If you want to take the next step in your nursing career, our Graduate Certificate of Intensive Care Nursing prepares you to practise effectively at an advanced practice level in critical care settings. As a graduate you will demonstrate ethical, safe, high-quality, expert clinical decision-making abilities within an interdisciplinary team, and psychomotor skills commensurate with specialised theoretical knowledge, evidence-based practice and person or client-centred care

Deakin's strong industry connections ensure a high level of collaboration and support during your clinical practice. This means that while you study, you can immerse yourself in your speciality practice area with one of our numerous metropolitan, rural and regional health partners across Australia.

Our innovative online program delivers a rich, interactive and empowering learning experience designed for postgraduate nurses. Live-streaming seminars and class discussions will encourage critical thinking, problem solving and teamwork skills. Australia's top-rated tech support and access to our expert teaching staff means you can learn at your own pace, when and where it suits you, without compromising quality or support.

This course enables you to:

  • evaluate and intervene in response to complex data from patient and technologically-derived sources
  • develop an advanced understanding of normal physiology, and the pathophysiology of illness and injury of critically ill patients
  • perform focused, systematic and methodical patient assessments
  • demonstrate advanced clinical judgement leading to autonomous decision-making
  • enhance your professionalism and leadership skills.

Graduates are prepared to handle the contemporary challenges intensive care nurses may face in a course that responds to industry trends and demands. You will learn how to make a difference through roles in areas such as practice, education, leadership and research.

* Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections
^ 2023 ShanghaiRankings Ranking of Academic Subjects
# Excellence in Research Australia (ERA) 2018

Career pathways

With job growth of 12.2% projected for registered nurses by 2028,* there is an industry demand for nurses with sophisticated specialty skills. Our Graduate Certificate of Intensive Care Nursing will allow you to meet that demand in a variety of roles across advanced practice, leadership, management and education including:

  • ICU nurse
  • associate or unit manager
  • clinical nurse specialist
  • clinical nurse educator.

* Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections

Course structure

To complete the requirements of the Graduate Certificate of Intensive Nursing, students must attain 4 credit points of core (compulsory) units, taken over one year of part-time study.

Both the theoretical and clinical components of the assessment for each unit must be passed in order to successfully gain an overall pass in this course. Compulsory clinical hurdles form part of the assessment of this course.

Note: Failure of a compulsory clinical component in a unit will normally lead to exclusion.

All commencing Faculty of Health Undergraduate and Postgraduate course work students are required to complete DAI001 Academic Integrity Module (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first trimester of study.

Credit for prior study or work

If you have completed previous studies which you believe may reduce the number of units you have to complete at Deakin, indicate in the appropriate section on your application that you wish to be considered for Recognition of prior learning. You will need to provide a certified copy of your previous course details so your credit can be determined. If you are eligible, your offer letter will then contain information about your Recognition of prior learning.

You can also refer to the Recognition of prior learning system which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree.