Why Nursing at JCU?
James Cook University’s online Graduate Certificate of Nursing will give you the boost you need to achieve your professional goals in today’s fast-paced healthcare system.
100% online & part-time
Fast-track your career with flexible study you can balance around your life. Study one subject at a time and complete your degree in as little as eight months part-time.
Choose your career pathway
Choose to specialise in either advanced practice, education or leadership and management. Have the opportunity to continue your studies and gain a master's degree with a double major.
Ranked in the top 30 universities in Australia
JCU is in the top 30 universities in the 2025 QS World University Rankings. You'll study with industry leaders, specialists and experienced nurse academics.
Program highlights
- Choose from three in-demand specialisations.
- Transform your practice and improve your clinical skill set.
- Develop key skills to help you succeed in clinical contexts.
- Fast-track your career with 100% online study.
- Be supported by a dedicated Student Success Advisor.
- Begin the pathway to a master's degree.
Make your mark on nursing
Want to make your mark on nursing? JCU’s online Graduate Certificate of Nursing will help prepare you for the healthcare system of tomorrow.
Australia's healthcare landscape is changing. Governments, industry and healthcare providers are working smarter to meet rising costs coupled with the increasing demand on our health system.
You’ll develop advanced knowledge and specialist skills in your chosen nursing field. You’ll be able to take on nursing leadership roles in your area of practice, receive increased professional recognition and boost your potential to seize new opportunities in your nursing career.
What you will study
To complete your online Graduate Certificate of Nursing, choose from one of three majors: Leadership and Management, Education or Advanced Practice, so you can shape your study to suit your own career path.
JCU offers subjects from Ethics and Health Management to Clinical Coaching, so you can focus on areas that will help put you on your best career path.
Want more details about these subjects? Find out more from our course guide.
*Duration dependent on individual study path and subject availability. Please speak to an Enrolment Advisor for more information.
Leadership and Management major
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Leading and Managing in HealthThis subject explores foundational concepts of leadership and management in diverse healthcare settings and geographic locations. Read more
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Ethics and Health ManagementThis subject examines ethical principles and theories, exploring how managers may apply these in a healthcare context. Read more
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Effective Clinical GovernanceThis subject explores the development of clinical governance and contemporary issues in healthcare workplaces. Read more
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Professional Communication in HealthcareThis subject explores professional communication strategies across a variety of mediums in the healthcare workplace. Read more
Education major
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Principles of Education for the Health ProfessionalThis subject introduces the most prominent theories in adult learning and the ways in which they can be applied to a healthcare setting. Read more
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Teaching in Practice SettingsThis subject focuses on the application of key theories and specific strategies related to teaching for health professionals in the clinical setting. Read more
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Clinical CoachingThis subject explores the knowledge required in clinical coaching and how to use specific strategies related to healthcare contexts. Read more
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Professional Communication in HealthcareThis subject explores professional communication strategies across a variety of mediums in the healthcare workplace. Read more
Advanced Practice major
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Quality Use of Medicines in PracticeThis subject explores pharmacology and principles relevant to the quality use of medicines in practice. Read more
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Effective Clinical GovernanceThis subject explores the development of clinical governance and contemporary issues in healthcare workplaces. Read more
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Advanced Health AssessmentThis subject provides the knowledge and skills required to complete system-specific and comprehensive health histories and physical examinations. Read more
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Professional Communication in HealthcareThis subject explores professional communication strategies across a variety of mediums in the healthcare workplace. Read more
Choose from 1 of 3 principle specialisations
Advanced Practice: Giving you the skills you need to deliver advanced patient care
Leadership and Management: Giving you the confidence and knowledge to embrace leadership or management positions in healthcare, or
Education: Giving you the ability to take on educational practice roles in clinical or non-clinical environments.
You may also choose to continue your studies and gain a master's degree with a double major.
- Entry requirements
- Recognition of Prior Learning
- Learning outcomes
- Career outcomes
- Inherent requirements
Entry requirements
To be eligible to enrol in the online Graduate Certificate of Nursing, applicants must have:
- Completed an AQF Level 7 Bachelor of Nursing, or equivalent qualification, and;
- Registration as a Registered Nurse (Division 1) or Registered Midwife with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) or equivalent registration with the relevant registering authority for applicants outside of Australia;
- Completed a minimum of one year of full-time clinical experience, or the part-time equivalent, as a registered nurse.
- Applicants of non-English speaking backgrounds must meet the English language proficiency requirements of Band 3a – Schedule II of the JCU Admissions Policy.
Not sure if you meet these entry criteria? Our Enrolment Advisors can assist you.
SPEAK WITH AN ENROLMENT ADVISORRecognition of Prior Learning
If you have previously studied related subjects that are relevant to this course, you may be eligible to receive credits towards your Graduate Certificate of Nursing, cutting the overall time it could take to complete your qualification.
GET IN TOUCH WITH AN ENROLMENT ADVISOR TO FIND OUT MORELearning outcomes
The online Graduate Certificate of Nursing core subjects will provide you with a well-rounded experience, with learning outcomes that focus on:
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Apply specialised knowledge, skills and technical competencies across a variety of health contexts, including tropical, rural, remote and Indigenous settings
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Effectively communicate using high-level written and oral language skills
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Reflect on practice to ensure quality and promote an environment of excellence in healthcare
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Analyse, synthesise and evaluate a range of data and evidence to provide solutions to complex nursing problems
Career outcomes
Depending on your specialisation, after completing your Graduate Certificate of Nursing you will have the skills to succeed in positions such as:
- Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Clinical Nurse Consultant
- Leadership and Management
- Nurse Unit Manager
- Clinical Teacher
- Nurse Educator
Inherent requirements
Inherent requirements are the identified abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours that must be demonstrated, during the learning experience, to successfully complete a course. These abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours preserve the academic integrity of the University’s learning, assessment, and accreditation processes, and where applicable, meet the standards of a profession.
All JCU students have the opportunity to demonstrate, with reasonable adjustments where applicable, the inherent requirements for their course.
Fast-track your nursing postgrad with 50% credit
If you’ve completed the Queensland Health Rural and Remote Generalist Nurse Program (RRGNP), you could be eligible for 50% credit towards JCU’s Graduate Certificate of Nursing (Leadership and Management) or Graduate Certificate of Nursing (Advanced Practice).
That means you’ll only need to complete 2 subjects instead of 4, cutting your time and cost in half — so you can upskill sooner and advance your career faster.
Find out how much credit you can claim — talk to a Student Enrolment Advisor today.
Nested qualifications: Early entry exit options
JCU’s Graduate Certificate of Nursing is a pathway towards obtaining a master's degree. After completing your graduate certificate, you can continue your studies and gain a Graduate Diploma of Nursing and a Master of Nursing. Get in touch with an Enrolment Advisor to find out more.
Your personalised Enrolment Advisor
The role of an Enrolment Advisor is to ensure that you have all the resources and academic support needed to be successful in your studies.
Enrolments Advisors are here to help you with:
- Determining your eligibility for the course.
- Understanding the structure of your course and what you can expect to learn.
- Time management strategies for success.
- How to apply for financial assistance and FEE-HELP.
- Any questions you have about your application.
Contact hours for your Enrolment Advisor
Monday and Tuesday: 8am-6pm (AEST)
Wednesday and Thursday: 8am-7pm (AEST)
Friday: 8am-5pm (AEST)
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Frequently asked questions
Ready to get started?
Download a course guide
For more detailed and up-to-date information about your degree, including:
- Information about the course
- Course duration
- Fees
- Course descriptions
- What to expect from the course
Speak with an Enrolment Advisor
Investing in the right course for you is important to us and we’re here to help. Simply request a call back and will assist you with:
- Entry requirements
- Choosing right course
- How to apply and enrol
- How online study works
- Course duration and fees
