Graduate Certificate in
Breast Cancer Nursing
Graduate Certificate in Breast Cancer Nursing
On this page: Overview | Course rationale | Learning outcomes | Course structure | Entry requirements | Fees and scholarships | Apply
Upgrade your nursing career in Breast Cancer Nursing
The aim of this course is to encourage professional and ethical understanding of clinical practice development for the improvement of patient outcomes. This course is written by specialist nurses for nurses, and students are supported by a team of clinical experts, working within the speciality. The electives allow students to further explore a specific area of interest related to breast cancer nursing.
The course aligns with the Specialist Breast Nurse Competency Standards and associated educational requirements (NBCC), (2005) and the National Educational Framework for Cancer Nurses (EdCaN), (2009). It responds to industry requirements by preparing graduates for specialist breast cancer nursing roles within the wide scope of breast cancer care.
Through critical analysis and reflection students are given the opportunity to evaluate their clinical and educational requirements to promote professional development for Specialist Breast Cancer Nursing care and lifelong learning. The course also supports development in clinical leadership roles such as clinical nurse specialists, clinical nurse consultants or breast cancer nurse coordinators. The course focus includes the continuum of breast cancer care, evidence based practice, future trends and the impact of breast cancer on individuals, their families and communities.
ACN has proudly been providing education to McGrath Foundation nurses since 2013.
Course rationale
A Graduate Certificate in Breast Cancer Nursing is an investment in your future and will provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to ensure better outcomes for your patients and progress your career, leading to opportunities in clinical education, management and specialist nursing roles.
Learning outcomes
This course is designed to develop an understanding of breast cancer nursing with a strong clinical focus. It enables students to:
- Apply specialist knowledge of breast cancer that informs evidence-based nursing practice for the provision and coordination of holistic care
- Critically evaluate nursing practice against research and current literature to support the provision of contemporary evidence-based care across the survivorship trajectory
- Develop advanced communication skills to establish therapeutic relationships with people diagnosed with breast cancer, their families and other members of the multidisciplinary team
- Demonstrate leadership, mentoring and educational skills that contribute to a high standard of nursing care and practice development in the healthcare setting
- Critically reflect on the cultural, social and ethical issues to provide safe, holistic and person-driven care
Course structure
The Graduate Certificate in Breast Cancer Nursing is a one year course, consisting of four 10-week terms.
Students will need to complete 4 units – 3 core and 1 elective. 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 | Principles of Breast Cancer Nursing (327), Tier 2 | |
| Term 3 - Elective | Choose one elective from the following: | |
| Term 4 - Core | Care Continuum and Survivorship in Breast Cancer Nursing (328), Tier 2 |
ACN offers two intakes per year in January and July. Important dates including start and census dates can be found here.
Flexible intakes in 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.
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
Jenat Sakayanathan, Nurse Educator Higher Education
RN, BHS & MN, MN (Critical Care)
e: jenat.sakayanathan@acn.edu.au
» About me
Jenat is a critical care nurse who is very passionate about nursing. Clinically, she has experience working in various setting including Emergency, ICU, Rehabilitation and Community in both public and private health sectors. Academically, she holds a Bachelor of Health Science and Master of Nursing (USYD) and a Masters in Critical Care Nursing (UTAS). Jenat believes teaching is a process that facilitates acquisition and modification of knowledge that enables nurse to become critical thinkers. She thrives to create a supportive environment for nurses to learn and is passionate about empowering nurses to provide care that is of the highest quality.
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Hear from past students
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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:
10 004 2530 (January 2025 intake)
10 004 2531 (July 2025 intake)
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McGrath Foundation nurses
ACN has proudly been providing education to McGrath Foundation nurses since 2013. McGrath Foundation nurses who wish to enrol in the Graduate Certificate in Breast Cancer Nursing or one of the units of study associated with this course must first seek approval from McGrath Foundation before applying. Once approved, please complete our online application form and attach the supporting document.
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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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.
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For general information please contact:
Customer Services
t: (02) 9745 7500
e: customerservices@acn.edu.au
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