Graduate Certificate in
Nursing (Re-entry)
Graduate Certificate in Nursing (Re-entry)
On this page: Overview | Course rationale | Learning outcomes | Course structure | Entry requirements | Document requirements | Clinical placements | Fees | Apply
Career break? Re-enter nursing with confidence
The Graduate Certificate in Re-entry is designed to meet the requirements of the NMBA and the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) EPIQ and Re-Entry Registered Nurse Accreditation Standards (2014) through assessment. The Standards for Practice articulate the core competencies used to assess the performance of nurses wanting to retain registration to practice as a registered nurse in Australia. The Standards for Practice are also used by higher education providers when developing nursing curricula and assessing student performance. The course is designed to facilitate the registered nurse to build upon previously acquired knowledge and skills from the bachelor of nursing degree completed.
Please note the Bridging pathway for internationally qualified nurses is no longer available.
Important dates
| COHORT | UNIT 304 INTAKE DATE | UNIT 304 CENSUS DATE | UNIT 305 INTAKE DATE | UNIT 305 CENSUS DATE | COMPLETION DATE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 221 | 3 February 2025 | 17 February 2025 | 3 March 2025 | 17 March 2025 | 25 April 2025 |
| 222 | 5 May 2025 | 19 May 2025 | 2 June 2025 | 16 June 2025 | 25 July 2025 |
| 223 | 15 September 2025 | 29 September 2025 | 13 October 2025 | 27 October 2025 | 5 December 2025 |
Course rationale
To meet the industry needs of the Australian healthcare system, nurses are referred by the (NMBA). Under section 53(b) of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (the National Law) an individual must hold a qualification the National Board established for the health profession considers to be substantially equivalent, or based on similar competencies, to an approved qualification. Where the NMBA have assessed the qualification of a nurse that does not meet this criterion, the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) may under Section 53(c) require the individual to successfully complete an examination or other assessment required by the NMBA for the purpose of general registration.
The Graduate Certificate in Re-Entry is designed to meet the requirements of the NMBA and the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) Re-Entry Registered Nurse Accreditation Standards (2014) through assessment.
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:
- Critically evaluate nursing practice against the NMBA Registered Nurse Standards for Practice
- Demonstrate capability for practice within an evidence-based framework
- Evaluate delivery of care across the lifespan in the context of the contemporary Australian healthcare system
- Analyse effective communication within a multicultural and multidisciplinary approach to safe practice
- Critically reflects upon legal and ethical standards that underpin professional nursing practice
- Examine leadership behaviour that contributes to effective team culture
Course structure
This course is a comprehensive, contemporary, and clinically relevant Graduate Certificate in Nursing and runs for a total of 12 weeks full-time study. Delivery of the course consists of face-to-face, simulation, and self-directed learning, online activities, and clinical placement components.
Our course consists of two (2) core units of study:
304 Unit overview
The purpose of this unit of study is to explore the professional role of registered nurses in the Australian healthcare context. Students will gain an understanding of safe, appropriate, and responsive nursing practice within this context and examine the role of quality, research, evidence-based practice and the professional development of self and others. Students will enhance their clinical skills through an analysis of best practice principles to help them better manage the care of people and develop their clinical decision-making ability. This unit includes the following themes:
- Theme 1 – Nursing practice in the Australian healthcare context
- Theme 2 – Social determinants of health and wellbeing
- Theme 3 – Professional culture and behaviour in the Australian healthcare context
- Theme 4 – Cultural safety
- Theme 5 – Principles of patient safety and better health outcomes
- Theme 6 – Research and inquiry
| EFTSL | Credit points | Hours of study |
| 0.25 | 12 | 300 |
304 Assessments
These unit of study is delivered at a postgraduate level, AQF level 8. Students are required to demonstrate advanced knowledge and skills, both at an academic level and in clinical practice.
The assessments for Unit 304 are:
| Assessment | Weighting | Formative (F) Summative (S) | Week assessed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contribution to online discussions | 5% | F | 2 and 5 |
| Objective structured clinical assessments Must achieve 100%, 3 attempts given | 10% | F | 3 and 4 |
| Medication exam Must achieve 100%, 3 attempts given | 5% | S | 2 |
| Online multi-choice quizzes | 20% | F | 2 and 3 |
| PICO question and search strategy | 15% | F | 5 |
| Short answer essay | 25% | S | 4 |
| Reflective essay | 20% | S | 5 |
More information about the assessments is available in the Student Handbook which will be provided during orientation.
305 Unit overview
The purpose of this unit is for students to explore and apply professional nursing practice knowledge and skills in the clinical environment. The unit assesses the student’s clinical practice against the national standards of practice for the registered nurse as mandated by NMBA during supervised clinical placement. The unit allows the student to consolidate their experiential learning through clinical supervision and professional development. The clinical experience is divided into two (2) blocks each with a three (3) week duration and may be undertaken in both acute and aged care settings. This unit includes the following themes:
- Theme 1 – Critical thinking and analysis of nursing practice
- Theme 2 – Engagement in therapeutic and professional relationships
- Theme 3 – Capability of practice
- Theme 4 – Comprehensive patient assessment
- Theme 5 – Planning for nursing care
- Theme 6 – Providing safe, appropriate and responsive quality nursing practice
- Theme 7 – Evaluation of outcomes to inform nursing practice
| EFTSL | Credit points | Hours of study |
| 0.25 | 12 | 300 |
305 Assessments
The unit of study is delivered at a postgraduate level, AQF level 8. Students are required to demonstrate advanced knowledge and skills, both at an academic level and in clinical practice.
Assessments for Unit 305 will focus on the application of the learning components completed during Unit 304:
| Assessment | Weighting | Formative (F) Summative (S) | Week assessed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guided case analysis | 25% | S | 8 |
| Professional Experience Placement (PEP) | 40% | S | 11 |
| Learning Contract | 35% | S | 12 |
More information about the assessments is available in the Student Handbook which will be provided during orientation.
Entry requirements
- hold a Bachelor of Nursing or equivalent
- be referred to this course by the Australian Health Practitioner Registration Agency (AHPRA)
- 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.
- fulfill the required immunity status as per NSW health guidelines
- provide a Unique Student Identifier
*People who have not practised as a nurse and are not registered but wish to return to practice must lodge an application with the Nurses and Midwives Board of Australia (the NMBA). The assessment of the application will determine whether the applicant will be required to complete an NMBA-approved re-entry to practice program. Please visit the NMBA website for full details.
For any enquiries about the course, please contact Suman Kumar via email: suman.kumar@acn.edu.au or phone (02) 9745 7596.
Document requirements
Participants must provide originals or certified copies of the following documents:
- AHPRA referral letter (must be valid at course commencement)
- Valid visa (if applicable)
- Valid Australian police/criminal record check, please refer to these links for more information: AFP website, national crime check website or the AMICI Tech website
- Students who are not Australian citizens nor holding permanent resident status also need to provide a criminal record check from their country of origin and any other country they have resided in since the age of 16 or older in addition to their Australian criminal record check. This can be the same criminal record check as used for AHPRA (i.e. fit2work).
- Record of immunisation as per your residential state or territory
- All documented evidence of immunisations and original serology must be provided with the application:
- Diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus (DTPa, not ADT) within the last 10 years
- Varicella, either positive serology OR 1x vaccination if administered prior to age 14 OR 2x vaccinations at least 28 days apart if administered from 14 years old
- Mumps, measles and rubella, either positive serology OR 2x vaccinations at least 28 days apart OR a birth date prior to 1966
- Hepatitis B, positive serology AND evidence of age-appropriate vaccinations OR signed a statutory declaration upon course commencement
- The current year’s/season’s flu vaccine obtained in Australia ONLY
- COVID-19 vaccine (2 doses, NSW) for more details see here
Please note: You may be asked to undertake Tuberculosis screening after commencement of the course.
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 ACN.
Individual placement providers may need additional documentation. If you are required to provide this then you will be contacted by the ACN Clinical Placement Officer following enrolment.
ACN negotiates with health care facilities to secure clinical placements. ACN will make every effort to ensure clinical placements are 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. Please note you may need to travel for placements.
Once placements are confirmed these cannot be negotiated unless there are 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. Shifts may include morning, afternoon, and night duty.
View further information about clinical placements.
ACN is required under the National Law to comply with mandatory notification requirements. Please refer to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) for full details.
*For some GC units of study, consideration may be given for applicants who are not registered nurses on an individual basis.
Fees
2024 price: $16,400.00*
2025 price: $17,072.50*
*The ACN Member discount cannot be applied for the Graduate Certificate in Nursing (Re-entry).
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 Australian citizens. Further information can be found here.
Meet your Nurse Educator
Suman Kumar MACN, Nurse Educator – Higher Education
RN, BNurs, MEd (Adult Ed) & Cert IV (TAE), GC Public Health, Immunisation program for Healthcare Practitioners, Diploma of Midwifery
Email: suman.kumar@acn.edu.au
» About me
Suman is responsible for coordinating our Graduate Certificate in Nursing (Re-entry), Graduate Certificate in Palliative Care and preparation for the OSCE program.
She has over 20 years of teaching experience in higher education and the VET sector and has a keen interest in exploring the transition of practitioners into contemporary Australian nursing practice. Suman’s clinical experience includes acute, community and aged care nursing, midwifery practice, and working in regulations. In addition to facilitating student learning, Suman is passionate about curriculum development and delivering quality education.
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Apply now
Intakes
| COHORT | UNIT 304 INTAKE DATE | UNIT 304 CENSUS DATE | UNIT 305 INTAKE DATE | UNIT 305 CENSUS DATE | COMPLETION DATE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 221 | 3 February 2025 | 17 February 2025 | 3 March 2025 | 17 March 2025 | 25 April 2025 |
| 222 | 5 May 2025 | 19 May 2025 | 2 June 2025 | 16 June 2025 | 25 July 2025 |
| 223 | 15 September 2025 | 29 September 2025 | 13 October 2025 | 27 October 2025 | 5 December 2025 |
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.
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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.
Virtual Open Day
Jump online for Virtual Open Day to learn more about studying with the Australian College of Nursing (ACN).
Whether you are a nurse ready to upskill with a specialty graduate certificate or immunisation course, seeking an entry pathway to Masters or want to explore continuing professional development opportunities, this interactive event will answer all your questions.
Connect directly with experienced nurse educators and academics and discuss your career goals. Learn about how postgraduate study can shape your career, gain tips and tricks on preparing for online study and student life, all from the comfort of your own home.
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For general information please contact:
Customer Services
t: (02) 9745 7500
e: customerservices@acn.edu.au
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