Graduate Diploma of Intensive Care Nursing

With job growth of 12.2% projected for registered nurses by 2028,* there is an industry demand for nurses with sophisticated specialty skills. As a registered nurse, Deakin's Graduate Diploma of Intensive Care Nursing will equip you with the analytical, practical, communication and leadership skills needed to take the lead in the management of critically ill patients in intensive care and high dependency units at an advanced practice level.

Study with one of Australia's largest and most established nursing schools. Ranked #16 in the world,^ the School's cutting-edge research is recognised as well above world standard.# Our strong industry connections mean you will be guided by experts in critical care nursing as you explore the current and emerging trends, concepts, knowledge and evidence that provides the policy and practice framework in which the care of critically ill patients takes place.

Are you ready to become a change agent and play a leading role in advancing the care of critically ill patients?

If you want to take the next step in your nursing career, our Graduate Diploma of Intensive Care Nursing will prepare you to become a leader and 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.

As a student of Deakin's Graduate Diploma of Intensive Care Nursing you will be challenged to advance your professional judgement by exploring the current and emerging trends, concepts, knowledge and evidence that provides the policy and practice framework in which the care of critically ill patients takes places.

Second year elective units allow you to pursue your specific areas of interest and career goals. You can choose from complementary areas of practice to your specialisation, or undertake studies preparing you for roles in education, leadership or management. You will also have the opportunity to select a unit from anywhere across the university, further expanding your skill set.

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
• practise critical thinking and reflection regarding current health environment issues and specialty nursing practice
• explore and demonstrate an understanding of complex practice, transcultural, ethical and psychosocial concepts
• combine advanced communication skills with professional knowledge to promote safe, high-quality care of the critically ill.

You will be challenged to become a leader in evidence-based practice, and a change agent to improve the quality of nursing care and patient outcomes in intensive care and high dependency units.

Graduates are prepared to handle the contemporary challenges intensive care nurses may face with a course that responds to industry trends and demands. You will learn how to make a difference through senior 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.

With job growth of 13.9% projected for registered nurses and 23.1% for nurse managers by 2026,* there is an industry demand for nurses with sophisticated specialty skills. Our Graduate Diploma 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.

**2021 Employment Outlook - for the five years to November 2026, Australian Government National Skills Commission

The core intensive care nursing specialisation units are completed in year one of the course and are semester-based delivery.

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.