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Find out moreWe are ranked 1st in Australia and 12th in the world for nursing in the QS Subject Rankings 2022.
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In response to COVID-19, the University of Sydney has reviewed the availability of courses to be delivered remotely for students commencing their studies in Semester 1, 2021.
Some units of study and/or placements relating to this course cannot be delivered remotely or online for students commencing their study in Semester 1, 2021. You will be required to attend in-person on campus from Semester 2, 2021.
Note: The University intends to offer as many units of study as possible in a remote as well as face-to-face learning method of delivery in Semester 1, 2021 and subject to ongoing border closures and public health orders impacting attendance on campus, in Semester 2, 2021. However, some units of study and courses require students to study in-person at the relevant University of Sydney campus/es and host locations for placements and will not be available remotely.
The Graduate Certificate in Intensive Care Nursing is designed for registered nurses currently working in the intensive care environment. This course is intended to assist registered nurses working in this area to become clinical leaders.
Students' individual clinical experience is integrated with relevant evidence to produce information that can be used to inform the clinical practice of others. Registered nurse working in the intensive care environment are expected to provide sophisticated care and advice to critically ill patients and their families. This requires the application of advanced physiological knowledge during the assessment and management of patients who may be experiencing single or multiple organ dysfunctions.
The course will provide students with the specific knowledge, skills and attributes to provide care to this challenging group of patients. Completion of this Graduate Certificate program can be used as credit towards a Graduate Diploma or a Masters degree.
There are no specialisations for this course.
For academic requirements check the ‘Admission criteria’ section on this page.
You can apply online via the application portal. When you are ready to apply, select the ‘Apply’ button on this course page. Visit the How to apply page for other important information.
Please note that late applications may be accepted. Please scan and upload the following with your application:
(1) academic transcripts or clinical qualifications/achievements;
(2) any degrees or diplomas;
(3) current authority to practice as a registered nurse from an Australian state or territory;
(4) passport, birth certificate or citizenship certificate;
(5) marriage certificate or other appropriate documentation, if your name has changed;
(6) Curriculum Vitae, including nursing employment experience (position, start and end dates, employer, FT, PT or casual)
(7) Statement of Support Clinical Assessment Clinical Assessment Requirement form ;
(8) evidence of English proficiency (ie IELTS test results) if appropriate; any other relevant documentation that you feel may support your application.
Applying for a Commonwealth supported place (CSP)
There is no separate application required to apply for a CSP. Once you apply for admission, if you are successful in securing a CSP, you will receive notification via an offer of admission.
A Commonwealth supported place (CSP) is not guaranteed as there are a limited number of CSPs available for postgraduate courses. The number of available CSPs for a course can change each semester/year. CSPs are also not automatically awarded for course transfers and upgrades.
CSPs are awarded for the duration of a course based on academic merit determined by the University and eligibility criteria specified by the Australian Government. Learn more about CSPs. If you do not qualify for a CSP you may be offered a domestic fee-paying place.
Closing dates
Semester 1 - 31 January of the commencing year
We strongly encourage applicants to apply as early as possible, offers are made on a rolling basis and places are limited. Separate scholarship deadlines apply - check the scholarships website for details.
Semester 1 (February)
The Graduate Certificate in Intensive Care Nursing may be completed over one year part-time. Students will undertake two units of study in each semester. The course consists of 24 credit points of core units of study, which include three specialty-specific units for the intensive care nursing courses.
Explore the Medicine and Health Postgraduate Handbook to learn more about what you will study as part of this degree:
A successful applicant for admission to the Graduate Certificate in Intensive Care Nursing will hold a pre-registration nursing degree from the University of Sydney or equivalent qualification. In exceptional circumstances the dean may admit applicants without these qualifications who, in the opinion of the school, have qualifications and evidence of experience and achievement sufficient to successfully undertake the award.
In addition, the applicant is required to be a registered nurse in Australia, have a minimum of one year's experience as a Registered Nurse, and satisfy the English language proficiency requirement. The applicant is also required to be working in an intensive care nursing environment and must provide a statement of support from their supervisor or manager in order to undertake the required clinical assessments.
To assist students to make informed choices about their study, we have identified and set out the Inherent Requirements for coursework award courses in nursing.
The University of Sydney welcomes and encourages applications from students with disabilities, and from diverse social and cultural backgrounds. Where there are physical, intellectual, cultural, religious or other factors that impact on a student's ability to meet the Inherent Requirements, the University will make reasonable adjustments to assist the student to meet the requirements. Please read the Inherent Requirements carefully as you consider your course choices.
For more information about the University’s credit policy, please see the Credit for Previous Studies page.
This program is available at multiple levels to suit your professional and personal needs. The courses are embedded, allowing you to step from one to the next at your own pace.
Graduates of this course will be recognised as having advanced knowledge relevant to intensive care nursing. The Australian Health Workforce Advisory Committee suggests that 75% of nurses working in intensive care units should have appropriate postgraduate specialty qualifications. Intensive care nurses normally work with a nurse patient ratio of 1:1 and are in a position to provide comprehensive care to patients and their families. Many intensive care nurses also work in education, administration, research and as nurse consultants.
