Graduate Certificate in
Dermatology Nursing
Graduate Certificate in Dermatology Nursing
On this page: Overview | Course rationale | Learning outcomes | Course structure | Entry requirements | Clinical placements | Fees and scholarships | Apply
Upgrade your nursing career in Dermatology Nursing
This course is designed to meet the educational needs of registered nurses who are working or would like to work in the diverse environment offering dermatological procedures.
The course aims to provide nurses with an advanced knowledge of all aspects of dermatological nursing within a legal and ethical framework that reflects current best practice. To work within the specialty, nurses are required to have an advanced dermatological and pharmacological knowledge, and an appreciation of the psychological and emotional needs of the people they are treating.
Students are provided with the opportunity to reflect on experience and critique dermatology practice based on current literature and research. The course also aims to develop knowledge, skills, and attitudes relevant to clinical leadership.
Course rationale
The course is designed to meet the educational needs of clinicians who are working or would like to work in the diverse environment offering dermatological procedures. The course aims to provide nurses with an advanced knowledge of all aspects of dermatological nursing within a legal and ethical framework that reflects current best practice. To work within the specialty nurses, require an advanced dermatological and pharmacological knowledge, and an appreciation of the psychological and emotional needs of the people they are treating. Students are provided with the opportunity to reflect on experience and critique dermatology practice based on current literature and research. The course also aims to develop knowledge, skills, and attitudes relevant to clinical leadership.
Learning outcomes
At successful completion of the course students should be able to:
- Apply specialist knowledge of anatomy and physiology used to the nursing assessment and management of people undergoing dermatological treatments
- Analyse the principles of therapeutic treatments to apply to the delivery of holistic person-centered care
- Develop advanced communication skills in order to establish therapeutic relationships with patients, stakeholders and the multidisciplinary team
- Critically reflect upon current practice and learning experiences to promote leadership, knowledge sharing and development of a philosophy of lifelong learning
- Explore the legal, ethical, and cultural issues in relation to the nursing care of patients undergoing dermatological procedures
- Critically analyse current literature and nursing practice to provide evidence-based contemporary care in the dermatology specialty
Course structure
The Graduate Certificate in Dermatology Nursing is a one year course, consisting of four 10-week terms.
Students will need to complete 4 core units. One unit is studied per term.
Approximate hours of study are 12 – 15 hours per week.
| Unit type | Unit name & pricing | Course codes |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 - Core | Advancing Professional Practice (340)*, Tier 2 | |
| Term 2 - Core | Applied Dermatological Anatomy and Physiology (308)*, Tier 3 | |
| Term 3 - Core | Foundational Concepts of Dermatology Nursing (311)*, Tier 4 | |
| Term 4 - Core | Advanced Concepts of Dermatology Nursing (313)*, Tier 4 | |
| *Foundational Concepts of Dermatology Nursing (311) and Advanced Concepts of Dermatology Nursing (313) require 40 hours clinical placement each. *Unit 308 is pre-requisite for 311. *Unit 311 and 308 are pre-requisites for 313. *Unit 340 can be taken in either term 1 or term 2 and can be interchanged with 308. |
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ACN offers two intakes per year in January and July. Important dates including start and census dates can be found here.
Flexible intakes in April and October may be available, please contact our Customer Services team for further details.
Entry requirements
Admission to graduate certificate courses is based on academic merit and selection. In addition, applicants must satisfy any prerequisites or additional requirements specified for particular courses, including ACN’s general eligibility criteria.
All applicants seeking admission are required to:
- hold a Bachelor of Nursing or registered nurse* equivalent qualification
- hold current registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA); or the equivalent registering authority in your country of origin
- meet the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia English language skills registration standard (nursing and midwifery) – please refer to the AHPRA website to download the standard
- have a minimum of one year of postgraduate experience; and
- be currently employed in the clinical area of specialisation*
*For some graduate certificate units of study, consideration may be given for applicants who are not registered nurses on an individual basis.
*The course contain a compulsory clinical placement component and do not require applicants to be employed in the clinical area of specialisation
Clinical placements
Anyone applying for an ACN course that includes a clinical placement must provide evidence of compliance documents at the time of application.
Applications for enrolment will not be progressed until all relevant documentation has been received by Customer Services.
Each Australian state and territory has its own clinical placement documentation requirements. Further details are available on our Clinical Placement Information page, click on the tab for your particular state or territory for information on specific requirements.
Individual placement providers may need additional documentation. If you are required to provide this then you will be contacted by the Clinical Placement Officer following enrolment.
ACN negotiates with health care facilities to secure clinical placements. ACN will make every effort to secure clinical placements within the timeframe indicated in the course outline, however applicants are advised that provision and location of clinical placements is dependent on the availability of placements within the health facility.
ACN will make every effort to secure you a clinical placement as close as possible to the home or work address that you have provided us, however in the event there are no placements available near you, you may be required to travel.
Due to limited clinical specialty training opportunities and supervision for postgraduate level placements in dermatology nursing, students may be required to travel to a metropolitan area or interstate to attend clinical placement.
As placements are difficult to secure, once confirmed these cannot be negotiated unless there is unforeseen extenuating circumstances. Applicants are not to arrange their own clinical placements with a clinical facility under any circumstances. ACN reserves the right to change clinical placements if necessary.
Students can be granted recognition of prior learning (RPL) for clinical placement if:
- you have been in employment in the area of specialty for at least six months (full time equivalent).
Documentation that will be accepted as evidence:
- A position description for role with a letter from your employer stating that you have been in their employment for at least six months (full time equivalent)
- If you are your own employer then you can use your own company profile as evidence
- A statutory declaration if you are not able to provide either of the above
Please note there is no charge for this application of RPL and students will still have to complete the online learning units of study and the associated assessment items.
Fees and scholarships
| Tiers | 2024 Member price (10% discount) | 2024 Non-member price | 2025 Member price (10% discount) | 2025 Non-member price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $2,308.50 | $2,565.00 | $2,403.00 | $2,670.00 |
| Tier 2 | $2,632.50 | $2,925.00 | $2,740.50 | $3,045.00 |
| Tier 3 | $3,096.00 | $3,440.00 | $3,539.00 | $3,932.00 |
| Tier 4 | $3,699.00 | $4,110.00 | $4,166.00 | $4,628.50 |
Fees are subject to change without notice.
ACN offers a flexible payment option allowing students to pay their fees on a term-by-term basis. Each term’s fees are due upfront, prior to term commencement.
FEE-HELP is also available for eligible students. Further information can be found here.
Want to save on course fees?
Being a part of the ACN community allows nurses to be the best they can be and strengthen the voice of nursing through a range of invaluable benefits, including 10% off graduate certificates and other education offerings, exclusive networking events, access to support and advice on ACN’s online engagement platform The Buzz, free online CPD courses and opportunities to be involved in shaping health care policy. Find out more and join our tribe today!
Find a scholarship to suit you
Discover our range of scholarships to support you to succeed in your studies regardless of your circumstances. Find ACN scholarships or ACN Foundation Grants and Awards.
Meet your Nurse Educator
Ran Zheng, Nurse Educator – Higher Education
RN, BN, TAE, MN
e: ran.zheng@acn.edu.au
» About me
Ran is coordinating the Graduate Certificate in Cosmetic Nursing in ACN. Ran has over 5 years of tertiary education experience in VET sector and higher education in Australia. She has extensive experience in providing lectures and tutorials to nursing students to promote learning. She has worked as a registered nurse in various clinical settings in Australia public hospitals for over 7 years. With a great passion in teaching and guiding, she continues to contribute towards training and supervision of workplace assessors and professional development programs.
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Apply now
Please ensure you read all course information and make sure you meet entry requirements prior to commencing the application form.
Applications for enrolment will not be progressed until all relevant documentation has been received by Customer Services.
We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health care professionals to study this course. If you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person we encourage you to let us know in your application. If you require assistance with completing your application or support during the course, please don’t hesitate to let us know.
Course codes:
10 019 2512 (January 2025 intake)
10 019 2513 (July 2025 intake)
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Graduate Certificate attributes
Get valuable industry skills with a competitive edge. ACN supports our students to graduate with the following attributes:
1
Demonstrate enhanced professional, social and ethical understanding in a specialist area of practice.
2
Apply complex problem solving and information literacy skills to the development of evidence-based practice, research and policy reform.
3
Engage in behaviour that is culturally appropriate, safe and sensitive to the needs of people in their care.
4
Demonstrate an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal values, culture and knowledge to build trust and improve health outcomes.
5
Combine advanced communication skills with an awareness of global health determinants to independently and collaboratively lead and educate others.
6
Reflect and think critically to be better able to care for self, improve health outcomes, and influence safe and effective professional practice.
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For general information please contact:
Customer Services
t: (02) 9745 7500
e: customerservices@acn.edu.au
More information
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