Graduate Diploma of Nursing Online

Why Nursing at JCU?

James Cook University’s Online Graduate Diploma in Nursing will equip you with the critical thinking skills and theoretical knowledge to apply advanced nursing concepts in the clinical setting. This online course will prepare you to lead nursing practice and optimise patient outcomes in a hospital setting.

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 16 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

  • Transform your practice and improve your clinical skill set.
  • Choose from three in-demand specialisations.
  • Develop key skills to help you succeed in clinical contexts.
  • Understand the latest in healthcare informatics.
  • Fast-track your career with 100% online study.
  • Be supported by a dedicated Student Success Advisor.
  • Begin the pathway to a master's degree.
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A group of nurses in blue scrubs walking through a hospital corridor.

A smiling nursing student in blue scrubs standing confidently in a hallway.

Be equipped for a changing healthcare system

Australia’s health system is changing to meet more demand than ever before.

Offering three majors, Leadership and Management, Education and Advanced Practice, you’ll learn specifics about leading and managing teams, develop skills in business-related areas, such as finance and budgeting, and build contemporary skills to facilitate effective adult learning. You’ll be prepared to help shape the way in which nurses practice and deliver patient care for the complex, fast-paced health environment of the future.

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What you will study

The JCU Online’s Graduate Diploma of Nursing gives you the preparation you’ll need to shine at the next level in your career – advanced communication skills, data management skills, governance knowledge, informatics, and the ability to design and implement evidence into practice. We equip you with the knowledge, proficiency, competency and expertise to succeed in your chosen specialisation.

These core skills were specifically incorporated to ensure all graduates leave the course ready to take on the challenges presented by a changing healthcare landscape. You’ll also be able to choose one of three majors:

  • Leadership and Management major
  • Education major
  • Advanced Practice major

Want more details about these subjects? Find out more from our course guide.

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*Duration dependent on individual study path and subject availability. Please speak to an Enrolment Advisor for more information.

Leadership and Management major
  • Leading and Managing in Health
    This subject explores foundational concepts of leadership and management in diverse healthcare settings and geographic locations. Read more
  • Ethics and Health Management
    This subject examines ethical principles and theories, exploring how managers may apply these in a healthcare context. Read more
  • Effective Clinical Governance
    This subject explores the development of clinical governance and contemporary issues in healthcare workplaces. Read more
  • Professional Communication in Healthcare
    This subject explores professional communication strategies across a variety of mediums in the healthcare workplace. Read more
  • Digital Health and Informatics in Healthcare
    This subject introduces the scope and practice of informatics in healthcare. Read more
  • Business and Finance for the Health Manager
    This subject explores how healthcare leaders can assume effective business and financial management functions. Read more
  • Conflict and Dispute Resolution in Healthcare
    This subject examines how to take action when confronting the challenges involved in leading in a healthcare environment characterised by increasing change and complexity. Read more
  • Synthesising Evidence for Healthcare
    This subject examines how to find, appraise and utilise reliable and credible sources of health-related information. Read more
Education major
  • Principles of Education for the Health Professional
    This subject introduces the most prominent theories in adult learning and the ways in which they can be applied to a healthcare setting. Read more
  • Teaching in Practice Settings
    This subject focuses on the application of key theories and specific strategies related to teaching for health professionals in the clinical setting. Read more
  • Clinical Coaching
    This subject explores the knowledge required in clinical coaching and how to use specific strategies related to healthcare contexts. Read more
  • Professional Communication in Healthcare
    This subject explores professional communication strategies across a variety of mediums in the healthcare workplace. Read more
  • Digital Health and Informatics in Healthcare
    This subject introduces the scope and practice of informatics in healthcare. Read more
  • Contemporary Healthcare Education
    This subject explores contemporary issues relevant to education in healthcare contexts. Read more
  • Effective Clinical Governance
    This subject explores the development of clinical governance and contemporary issues in healthcare workplaces. Read more
  • Synthesising Evidence for Healthcare
    This subject examines how to find, appraise and utilise reliable and credible sources of health-related information. Read more
Advanced Practice major
  • Synthesising Evidence for Healthcare
    This subject examines how to find, appraise and utilise reliable and credible sources of health-related information. Read more
  • Effective Clinical Governance
    This subject explores the development of clinical governance and contemporary issues in healthcare workplaces. Read more
  • Professional Communication in Healthcare
    This subject explores professional communication strategies across a variety of mediums in the healthcare workplace. Read more
  • Informatics for Health Professionals
    This subject introduces the scope and practice of informatics in healthcare. Read more
  • Advanced Health Assessment
    This subject provides the knowledge and skills required to complete system-specific and comprehensive health histories and physical examinations. Read more
  • Quality Use of Medicines in Practice
    This subject explores pharmacology and principles relevant to the quality use of medicines in practice. Read more
  • Applied Health Assessment and Advanced Practice
    The subject is designed to build on the knowledge and skills gained in the core subject Advanced Health Assessment with the aim of identifying deviations from normal health states. Read more
  • Diagnostic Reasoning for Advanced Practice
    This subject explores the diagnostic reasoning and clinical decision-making process required in the assessment and management of both acute and chronic patients. Read more

A diagram showcasing pathways for leadership, education, and advanced practice in nursing.

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.

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Course information

With JCU’s 100% online Graduate Diploma of Nursing, you can choose a specialisation based on your career goals. You may also be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning so you can complete your degree sooner.

  • Entry requirements
  • Recognition of Prior Learning
  • Learning outcomes
  • Career outcomes
  • Inherent requirements
Entry requirements

To be eligible to enrol in the online Graduate Diploma 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 or midwife.
  • 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.

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Recognition of Prior Learning

If you have experienced learning either at work, through non-accredited training or from life that is relevant to this course, we may be able to offer you credit towards your qualification.

GET IN TOUCH WITH AN ENROLMENT ADVISOR TO FIND OUT MORE
Learning outcomes

The online Graduate Diploma of Nursing core subjects will provide you with a well-rounded experience, with learning outcomes that focus on:

  • Clinical governance and how to apply this framework to contemporary issues in healthcare as well as your own workplace. 
  • Persuasive communication and how to apply a number of strategies across different healthcare settings
  • Contemporary trends in informatics in healthcare
  • Finding, appraising and utilising data and credible sources of health-related information
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Career outcomes

Depending on your specialisation, after completing your Graduate Diploma 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
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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.

Meet our Nursing Academics

Our academics will empower you to improve health outcomes, enrich your nursing practice and equip yourself with the skills to take your career to the next level.

Nested qualifications: Early entry exit options

JCU’s online Graduate Diploma of Nursing is a pathway towards obtaining a master's degree. After completing your graduate diploma, you can continue your studies and gain a Master of Nursing. If you need to finish your study early, you may still qualify for a Graduate Certificate of Nursing. Get in touch with an Enrolment Advisor to find out more.

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A timeline graphic showing the pathway for nursing qualifications from certificate to master's level. A timeline graphic showing the pathway for nursing qualifications from certificate to master's level.

A portrait of a smiling student advisor at JCU, wearing a patterned blouse.

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)

SPEAK WITH AN ENROLMENT ADVISOR

You might also be interested in:

GRADUATE CERTIFICATE OF NURSING MASTER OF NURSING

Frequently asked questions

What is a Graduate Diploma of Nursing?
A graduate diploma is a postgraduate degree for registered nurses that enables you to broaden your career outlook and opportunities. Our course allows you to specialise in one of three in-demand areas:
  1. Leadership and Management:Giving you the confidence and knowledge to embrace leadership or management positions in healthcare.
  2. Advanced Practice: Giving you the skills you need to deliver advanced patient care.
  3. Education: Giving you the ability to take on educational practice roles in clinical or non-clinical environments.
    4. You can also choose to continue your studies and obtain a Master of Nursing.
What is the difference between a Graduate Diploma of Nursing and a Master of Nursing?
A Graduate Diploma of Nursing comprises eight subjects and can be completed in minimum 16 months, while a Master of Nursing comprises 12 subjects and can be completed in minimum 24 months. A master's degree is a more advanced qualification. The Graduate Diploma of Nursing can be a pathway towards completing a master's degree.
How long will it take to complete the Graduate Diploma of Nursing?
JCU Online's Graduate Diploma of Nursing comprises 8 subjects and takes a minimum of 16 months part time to complete. This enables you to study without sacrificing work or family life.
Is the program self paced?
This degree is 100% online meaning you can study when and where it suits you. Our flexible online structure means you can study one subject at a time over a 7 week period and all resource material is accessible 24/7 on our online learning platform.
How much does it cost to complete the Graduate Diploma in Nursing?
JCU Online's Graduate Diploma of Nursing consists of eight subjects and costs $3,052 per subject. FEE-HELP is available for eligible students.
What is FEE-HELP?
FEE-HELP is a government loan scheme that can help eligible students to pay for all or part of their postgraduate tuition. You can find more information on our Fees page, or reach out to our Enrolment Advisors on 1300 535 919.
How do I apply for the Graduate Diploma of Nursing?
First, call us at 1300 535 919 or email learn@online.jcu.edu.au. You will be connected with one of our Student Enrolment Advisors who will discuss your career goals, answer any questions and help you select the right course, ensuring your application experience is as smooth as possible. Next, you will need to gather your documents – this may include transcripts, certificates, advanced standing documents (if applicable) and proof of English language skills (if applicable). Your Student Enrolment Advisor will help guide you and make sure you have the correct documents. Once you have all the necessary documents, you can apply online.

 

 

 

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
Download course guide

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
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