Program Overview

Overview

The Graduate Diploma of Nursing at the University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) is designed to advance students' expertise in the nursing field. This program offers five specializations: Advanced Practice, Clinical Education, Gerontology, Leadership and Management in Health, and Rural and Remote. Students will work alongside diverse healthcare professionals to ensure optimal outcomes for individuals and communities.

Specialisations in the Graduate Diploma of Nursing

• Advanced Practice: Personalise studies to suit specific needs, ideal for those who want to keep their career options open or work across multiple healthcare settings.
• Clinical Education: Become a specialist clinical nurse educator, developing innovative teaching methods for nursing education to improve health outcomes.
• Gerontology: Specialise in aged-care nursing, supporting the specific needs of the elderly with professional, personalised care.
• Leadership and Management in Health: Excel as an effective leader in clinical healthcare, building productive and cohesive teams, and developing skills to address contemporary workplace challenges.
• Rural and Remote: Become a remote nurse skilled in adapting to the social, cultural, and geographic challenges of rural, remote, and isolated health care settings.

Career Outcomes

Graduates of the Graduate Diploma of Nursing are equipped to take on advanced and specialised roles across diverse healthcare settings, such as hospitals, aged care facilities, community health centres, primary care clinics, educational institutions, government and non-government health agencies, and rural and remote health services.

Why Study Health at UniSQ?

• Future-focused: UniSQ teaches skills directly transferrable to today's workplace and future jobs.
• Quality teaching: Rated 5/5 stars for teaching quality, overall educational experience, and student support in health services.
• Secure future: Rated #1 in Queensland for graduate starting salary in health services and support.

What You'll Study

To graduate from the Graduate Diploma of Nursing, students must successfully complete 8 units of study, including core units, a choice of one of two specific courses, and a specialisation.

Degree Structure

• Core: 3 units, including HEA6001 - Contexts of Professional Health Practice, and RES9004 - Research Design and Methodologies.
• Choice: 1 unit, either NUR6340 - The Law and Health Care Practice or HEA6302 - Culture as Determinant of Health.
• Specialisation: 5 units from one of the specialisations (Advanced Practice, Clinical Education, Gerontology, Leadership and Management in Health, Rural and Remote).

Entry Requirements

• Academic entry requirements: Completion of a 3-year bachelor degree in the area of nursing from a recognised university, and current professional registration as a Division 1 nurse or equivalent.
• English language requirements: Minimum overall score of 7.0 in IELTS (Academic), with a minimum score of 7.0 in each of the four components.
• Inherent requirements: Students must be able to demonstrate fundamental skills, capabilities, and knowledge to achieve the essential learning outcomes of the degree.

Fees and Scholarships

• Indicative annual fee: AUD 9,536 for Commonwealth supported places.
• Student Services and Amenities Fee: May be required as part of the degree cost.
• HECS-HELP: A government loan scheme to help pay course fees.
• UniSQ Scholarships: Available for academic excellence, community leadership, and financial need.

How to Apply

Applications are made directly to UniSQ. The process involves checking entry requirements, organising supporting documents, and applying online.

Study Dates

Study can commence in Trimester 1, 2, or 3, with specific application closing dates, orientation, and start dates for each trimester.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common questions about the Graduate Diploma in Nursing, including how to choose a specialisation, why study at UniSQ, entry requirements, differences between graduate certificates and diplomas, career opportunities, and flexible study options.