ObjectivesThe Graduate Diploma of Nursing Practice is designed to prepare nurses to meet complex and contemporary challenges in the field of nursing. The program provides a course of study that extends students' knowledge of nursing without mandating that they narrow their focus to specialise in one particular traditional specialty.
Entry requirementsApplicants should normally possess a Bachelor of Nursing or equivalent and must be nurses registered (or be eligible for registration) at Division 1 or 3 with the Nurses Board of Victoria, with a minimum of 12 months' recent clinical experience. Applicants without full tertiary qualifications, but with other relevant experience, may also be considered for admission to the Graduate Diploma. Students holding an approved specialist certificate from the former Victorian Nursing Council or the Nurses Board of Victoria in the specialty area or equivalent may apply for up to four credit points of advanced standing towards the Graduate Diploma. Students who have completed a Graduate Diploma of Nursing may apply for up to 8 credit points of advanced standing towards the Masters.
Academic titleGraduate Diploma of Nursing Practice
Course descriptionFees and charges
Equivalent Full Time Student Load (EFTSL)
EFTSL is the standard annual full time load. Eight credit points is the standard full time load for one year of study.
This is a fee-paying course. Domestic students may be eligible for FEE-HELP assistance in paying these tuition fees. For more information about FEE-HELP go to http://www.deakin.edu.au/future-students/fees/
Fee paying place - Domestic (DFP)
A Fee paying place is one for which the university does not receive any government funding. As such, students enrolled in these places are required to contribute the full cost of their course.
Fee paying places are available to domestic students. Domestic students are those who are Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens or holders of a permanent visa.
* The 'indicative annual course fee' cited has been provided as a guide only. It has been calculated on the basis of a typical enrolment of a student undertaking the course in 2009, and reflects the cost involved in undertaking a full-time quota of units within the specified discipline.
The actual fees charged by Deakin University will depend upon the discipline from which each individual unit is chosen, and may vary from the indicative course fee cited, particularly if units are chosen from a number of disciplines. The cost of each unit offered in 2009 can be viewed at http://www.deakin.edu.au/current-students/handbooks2009/search.php.
Please note that the fees per unit/credit point may increase annually due to rises in the cost of course delivery and service.
Deakin assumes no responsibility for persons relying on 'indicative course fees' to calculate the total future cost of their course.
Course rules
The Graduate Diploma comprises 8 credit points of study, subject to the approval of the course coordinator. At least 6 of the 8 credit points must be level 7 Nursing units. They may be selected from the list of nursing electives below. Up to 2 of the 8 credit points may be selected from approved units from any postgraduate course at Deakin. Students should be aware that registration authorities have specific requirements for endorsement. If a specific endorsement is a desired outcome of the proposed studies, the student must discuss unit selection with the course coordinator.
Course structure
Elective units
HND731 Learning and Teaching for Health Professionals
HND732 Diabetes in Professional Contexts
HNH707 Contexts of Practice: Health and Social Policy
HNH710 Understanding Health
HNH739 Primary Health Care
HNH765 Family Health
HNN702 The Caring Relationship
HNN705 Therapeutic Nursing
HNN706 Reflective Processes in Nursing
HNN714 Ethical Dimensions of Nursing
HNN715 Leadership in Nursing
HNN722 Research Project Preparation
HNN728 Research Methodologies in Nursing
HNN729 Nursing Futures
Each unit is worth 1 credit point, unless otherwise specified. Offering is subject to demand and resources.
Admission requirements - general
Deakin University offers admission to postgraduate courses through a number of Admission categories.
In all categories of admission, selection is based primarily on academic merit as indicated by an applicant's previous academic record.
For more information on the Deakin Admissions Policy visit The Guide
Admission requirements - specific
Applicants should normally possess a Bachelor of Nursing or equivalent and must be nurses registered (or be eligible for registration) at Division 1 or 3 with the Nurses Board of Victoria, with a minimum of 12 months' recent clinical experience. Applicants without full tertiary qualifications, but with other relevant experience, may also be considered for admission to the Graduate Diploma.
Students holding an approved specialist certificate from the former Victorian Nursing Council or the Nurses Board of Victoria in the specialty area or equivalent may apply for up to four credit points of advanced standing towards the Graduate Diploma. Students who have completed a Graduate Diploma of Nursing may apply for up to 8 credit points of advanced standing towards the Masters.
Advanced standing - general
The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is the greater. In the case of certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.
You can also refer to the Advanced Standing System which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree.
How to apply
Applications must be made directly to the university through the Applicant Portal referring to closing dates for applications as dates for particular courses may vary.
Your faculty may require further information from you when submitting your application. Please refer to the faculty information website for further details.