Postgraduate Coursework
Graduate Diploma of Nursing
2021
The Graduate Diploma of Nursing is designed to extend knowledge gained through your undergraduate nursing studies and to further develop your foundation research skills.
The course provides 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.
Career opportunities
Graduating from this course may lead to specialised clinical career opportunities in a broad range of nursing practice areas. 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 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
For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU
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This course is accredited by the University in accordance with the Higher Education Standards.
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Australian qualification framework
This course is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8.
Contact details
For further information about the course, enrolment procedures, closing dates and other administrative issues please contact Student Central on:
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
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.
| 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. |
| Navitas Academic English (will not be accepted from 2021 onwards) | A minimum overall pass and 65% in Academic English 3 with a 65% pass in the research essay. (Note: this score will not be accepted from 2021 intakes onwards). |
| 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.
Course structure
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.
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 |
Students who commenced in or after 2013
The grade of "PC" cannot be counted towards a Graduate Diploma AQF Level 8 course award.
Students should refer to the current Grading Policy and Common Course Rules for further information.
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 |
| MAN509 Contemporary Management Issues | 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 |
| MAN509 Contemporary Management Issues | 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 | ||
| MAN509 Contemporary Management Issues | 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 | ||
| MAN509 Contemporary Management Issues | CO | ||
| HEA516 Leading for Change (20cp) | SE | ||
Course fees
Non-Commonwealth supported places
Full fee paying places are available in this course.
2021: Information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.