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Graduate Certificate in Orthopaedic Nursing

  • Graduate Certificate

The Graduate Certificate in Orthopaedic Nursing is designed for registered nurses working in a variety of orthopaedic environments.

Key details

Degree Type
Graduate Certificate
Duration
1 year part-time
Intake Months
Jan, Jul

About this course

The Graduate Certificate in Orthopaedic Nursing is designed for registered nurses working in a variety of orthopaedic environments. This course aims to cultivate excellence in the delivery of nursing care through the exploration and integration of theoretical knowledge, evidence-based practice and clinical nursing.

Content includes exploration of the impact of acute and chronic illness, differentiation of the range of musculoskeletal dysfunction associated with trauma and emphasises assessment and management strategies within both the adult and paediatric setting.

Participants have an opportunity to expand their professional development and improve their research skills through online forums and discussion of professional and clinical issues. This online course uses a variety of learning modes including case studies, multimedia and discussion forums in a virtual classroom.

Graduates of this course will be better prepared to implement evidence-based practice and contemporary research to improve person outcomes.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

Admission to GC 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 GC units of study, consideration may be given for applicants who are not registered nurses on an individual basis.

*The below courses contain a compulsory clinical placement component and do not require applicants to be employed in the clinical area of specialisation:
  • Graduate Certificate in Child and Family Health
  • Graduate Certificate in Stomal Therapy Nursing
  • Graduate Certificate in Dermatology Nursing

What you will learn

Learning outcomes

This course is designed to develop specific learning outcomes. Students will:

  • apply specialist knowledge of physiology, pathophysiology of diseases and trauma to the nursing assessment and management of people undergoing orthopaedic procedures
  • explore the legal, ethical and cultural issues in relation to the nursing care of people undergoing orthopaedic procedures
  • demonstrate specialist knowledge, comprehensive assessment skills and evidence-based practice to improve orthopaedic nursing care
  • evaluate complex clinical problems demonstrating a specialist approach to practice across the lifespan
  • critically reflect on current practice and learning experiences to promote leadership, knowledge sharing and development of a philosophy of lifelong learning
  • develop advanced communication skills in order to establish therapeutic relationships with stakeholders, support systems and the multidisciplinary team for a holistic approach to nursing care.

Career pathways

A Graduate Certificate in Orthopaedic Nursing is an investment in your future and will provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to ensure better outcomes for the individuals under your care and progress your career, leading to opportunities in clinical education, management and specialist nursing roles.

Course structure

The Graduate Certificate in Orthopaedic 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.

For more details please visit the course website.

Graduate outcomes

Graduate satisfaction and employment outcomes for Nursing courses at Australian College of Nursing (ACN).
83.2%
Overall satisfaction
79.7%
Skill scale
67.6%
Teaching scale
89%
Employed full-time
$87.2k
Average salary