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Key details
Duration
Intake
Locations
Entry requirements
View full entry requirementsCredit points required
80Course code
Overview
Our Graduate Diploma of Nursing is designed for registered nurses seeking to extend the knowledge they have gained through their undergraduate nursing studies and develop their foundation research skills.
The course will build your knowledge in evidence-based practice, leadership skills and principles, and managing professional development. Principles inherent in a cultural safety framework underpin the course to highlight the centrality of quality and safety in health care.
It is expected that you will already be employed or have recent experience as a nurse. As part of this course, you will undertake assessments which have direct applications to your professional practice and context.
On completion of this course, you may progress to the master's qualification specific to your discipline, with advanced standing for completed studies.
Credit transfers and advanced standing
Pathways
Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education
For information about credit transfer available to students with complete or incomplete study at this or other Institutions refer to Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education
Credit transfer
For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU
Credit transfers and advanced standing
Credit transfer
For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU
Fees
Non-Commonwealth supported places
Full fee paying places are available in this course.
Information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.
Why study Nursing and Midwifery at CDU?
Future-proof your career in healthcare with a postgraduate nursing or midwifery degree at CDU. Delivered by passionate and expert lecturers, your learning will be guided by evidence, innovation and patient-centred care.
- #2 in Australia for postgraduate nursing starting salary (GUG 2024)
- #3 in Australia for postgraduate nursing employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- #3 in Australia for postgraduate learner engagement in nursing
- Choose to study online, on campus, part-time or full-time as it suits you
Why study Nursing and Midwifery at CDU?
Find a rewarding career in healthcare when you study nursing or midwifery at CDU. Our graduates have the academic knowledge and hands-on experience to confidently enter the workplace and deliver evidence-based care to their patients.
- Gain practical experience through placements and state-of-the-art clinical simulation suites located around Australia
- #2 in Australia for postgraduate nursing starting salary (GUG 2024)
- #3 in Australia for postgraduate nursing employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- #3 in Australia for postgraduate learner engagement in nursing
Why study Nursing and Midwifery at CDU?
Future-proof your career in healthcare with a postgraduate nursing or midwifery degree at CDU. Delivered by passionate and expert lecturers, your learning will be guided by evidence, innovation and patient-centred care.
- #2 in Australia for postgraduate nursing starting salary (GUG 2024)
- #3 in Australia for postgraduate nursing employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- #3 in Australia for postgraduate learner engagement in nursing
- Choose to study online, on campus, part-time or full-time as it suits you
Why study Nursing and Midwifery at CDU?
Find a rewarding career in healthcare when you study nursing or midwifery at CDU. Our graduates have the academic knowledge and hands-on experience to confidently enter the workplace and deliver evidence-based care to their patients.
- Gain practical experience through placements and state-of-the-art clinical simulation suites located around Australia
- #2 in Australia for postgraduate nursing starting salary (GUG 2024)
- #3 in Australia for postgraduate nursing employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- #3 in Australia for postgraduate learner engagement in nursing
What will I study?
This 80-credit point course consists of core units building on a foundation of healthcare knowledge and skills. This course will introduce concepts of management, leadership, cultural safety as applied to the clinical context and skills in facilitating clinical learners.
Course structure
A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 80 credit points as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless indicated.
| Unit type | Credit Points | Specific requirements |
| Core Units (4 units) | 40cp | Compulsory Core units totalling 40 credit points as per the list of units detailed below: HEA505 Facilitating Clinical Learners |
| Specialist Electives (4 units) | 40cp | Specialist Elective units totalling 40 credit points selected from one of the specialisations detailed below: Clinical Appraisal Health Services Management |
| Electives (0 units) | 0cp | There are no elective units available in this course. |
| 80cp | Total Credit Points |
Course Rules (unless otherwise indicated in the above course structure)
- See the Higher Education Course Rules (Award Requirements) in the Units and Courses Policy.
Course Changes - 2022
HEA550 Nursing and Midwifery Professional Leadership has been added as an alternative core unit for MAN514 Management for the Executive from Semester 2 2022
Study plan
Students Commencing in Semester 1
The Recommended Study Plans provided below are suitable for a student commencing in semester 1 and enrolling in a standard full time load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.
When designing an individual study plan:
- maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
- check the assumed knowledge for each unit as some units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the subject area.
Full-time Study Plan - Clinical Appraisal
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| HEA519 Quality and Safety in Healthcare | CO | HEA505 Facilitating Clinical Learners | CO |
| HEA550 Nursing and Midwifery Professional Leadership OR MAN514 Management for the Executive (replaces MAN509 from 2022) | CO | HEA541 Culture in Practice | CO |
| HEA572 Applied Health Project A (20cp) | SE | HEA573 Applied Health Project B (20cp) | SE |
Full-time Study Plan - Health Services Management
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| HEA505 Facilitating Clinical Learners | CO | HEA541 Culture in Practice | CO |
| HEA519 Quality and Safety in Healthcare | CO | HEA515 Health Informatics | SE |
| HEA550 Nursing and Midwifery Professional Leadership OR MAN514 Management for the Executive (replaces MAN509 from 2022) | CO | HEA516 Leading for Change (20cp) | SE |
| HEA506 The Health Workforce | SE | ||
Students Commencing in Semester 2
The Recommended Study Plans provided below are suitable for a student commencing in semester 2 and enrolling in a standard full time load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.
When designing an individual study plan:
- maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
- check the assumed knowledge for each unit as some units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the subject area.
Full-time Study Plan - Clinical Appraisal
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Calendar Year 1 | |||
| HEA505 Facilitating Clinical Learners | CO | ||
| HEA541 Culture in Practice | CO | ||
| HEA572 Applied Health Project A (20cp) | SE | ||
| Calendar Year 2 | |||
| HEA519 Quality and Safety in Healthcare | CO | ||
| HEA550 Nursing and Midwifery Professional Leadership OR MAN514 Management for the Executive (replaces MAN509 from 2022) | CO | ||
| HEA573 Applied Health Project B (20cp) | SE | ||
Full-time Study Plan - Health Services Management
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Calendar Year 1 | |||
| HEA505 Facilitating Clinical Learners | CO | ||
| HEA541 Culture in Practice | CO | ||
| HEA506 The Health Workforce | SE | ||
| HEA515 Health Informatics | SE | ||
| Calendar Year 2 | |||
| HEA519 Quality and Safety in Healthcare | CO | ||
| HEA550 Nursing and Midwifery Professional Leadership OR MAN514 Management for the Executive (replaces MAN509 from 2022) | CO | ||
| HEA516 Leading for Change (20cp) | SE | ||
Entry requirements
Admission criteria
Current registration as a registered nurse with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
It is expected that all applicants have recent experience in their field of nursing specialisation.
Essential requirements
English language requirements
To gain entry into Charles Darwin University, all Higher Education applicants must satisfy the University's English Language Proficiency Requirements for their chosen course of study. International applicants will be required to supply evidence of this at the time of application.
The minimum English language requirement for this course is met by either undertaking previous education in an English-speaking country or undertaking one of the following English language tests and obtaining the minimum requirements listed below.
| CDU English for Academic Purposes 4 (ZEAP40) | Successful completion of EAP004 English for Academic Purposes 4 |
| IELTS Academic Module | A minimum overall score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.0. |
| Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) | A minimum overall score of 176, with no skill below 169. |
| Common European Framework Certificate of English Proficiency | A minimum overall grade of C1, valid for three years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU. |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic module | A minimum overall score of 58 with no score lower than 50. |
| TOEFL Internet-based Test (iBT) | A minimum overall score of 79 with a minimum writing score of 21. |
* All tests are valid for two years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU, unless otherwise specified.
* Where applicable, international applicants must also satisfy the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) English language requirements for student visa applications.
Do you have a question regarding English requirements at CDU? Please email: international@cdu.edu.au.
The people-first approach to flexibility and supportive learning environment at CDU meant I could find a balance with study, work and family life.
Nikki
CDU student
It’s a two-way education, educators here listen to us as much as we listen to them, so classroom experiences are amazing. I’ve also made a lot of friends through our regular group assignments or projects.
Farhana
CDU student
The people-first approach to flexibility and supportive learning environment at CDU meant I could find a balance with study, work and family life.
Nikki
CDU student
It’s a two-way education, educators here listen to us as much as we listen to them, so classroom experiences are amazing. I’ve also made a lot of friends through our regular group assignments or projects.
Farhana
CDU student
Course details
Accreditation
This course is accredited by the University in accordance with the Higher Education Standards.
Australian qualification framework
This course is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8.
Additional information
Contact details
For further information about the course, enrolment procedures, closing dates and other administrative issues please contact Student Central on:
You make CDU
Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.
Learn about nursing at CDU
Reeya is from Nepal studying a Bachelor of Nursing at CDU. Hear more about her experience of studying, living, working and playing in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
You make CDU
Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.
Learn about nursing at CDU
Reeya is from Nepal studying a Bachelor of Nursing at CDU. Hear more about her experience of studying, living, working and playing in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
How to apply
There are many ways to apply to CDU. The method you use depends on your course type, where you live and whether you are a new or returning student to CDU.
Remember to apply early for your best chance at securing an offer to study with us.
SATAC
SATAC is the application channel for residents of NT, ACT, SA, WA, QLD, VIC or TAS.
UAC
UAC is the application channel for residents of NSW.
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