Graduate Certificate in Nursing (Cardiovascular Nursing)
Degree Level Postgraduate
Year 2023
This degree is only available to Australian students
You're considered an Australian student if you are any of the following:
- Australian or New Zealand Citizen
- Australian Permanent Resident (including Permanent Humanitarian Visa holders)
Program Code
ICNG
SATAC Code
4GC041 (External)
Study as
Part-time only
Mode
Online
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Entry requirements
Applicants are required to:
- hold current registration as a Registered Nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia; AND
- have current experience with, or access to, clients with cardiovascular health problems as certified by an employer statement.
This program will not be offered in 2023. To apply for a future intake, please register your interest via the Enquire button.
Degree overview
- This qualification prepares Registered Nurses to work in the speciality field of cardiovascular nursing.
- Join a university ranked in the World Top 100 for nursing.1
- Study a curriculum informed by well above world-class research in nursing.2
- Join the No.1 university in South Australia for student satisfaction in nursing.3
- Be supported by online learning resources, available to you 24/7.
12022 QS Subject Rankings. 22018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA). 3ComparED (QILT) Course Experience Questionnaire 2020-21 – Overall Satisfaction Indicator (Postgraduate). SA public universities. 4ComparED (QILT) Student Experience Survey 2019-20 (Postgraduate). SA public universities.
Snapshot
Progress your nursing expertise within the specialty field of cardiovascular nursing.
This qualification will give you knowledge and skills in acute cardiac care, heart failure management, as well as primary and secondary prevention in cardiovascular health. You’ll need to have current employment in the field, with access to people experiencing cardiovascular health problems.
What you'll learn
You’ll cover topics such as:
- acute cardiac care
- heart failure management
- primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular health.
The first six months will cover:
- anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular system
- cardiovascular pathophysiology
- nursing management of acute coronary syndromes
- management of cardiac emergencies
- current interventional modalities for the management of acute coronary syndromes
- the political, social and economic factors that impact on the provision of acute cardiac services.
Over the final six months you’ll study:
- management of biomedical and lifestyle/behavioural risks
- principles of primary healthcare in cardiovascular health
- health promotion and prevention in cardiovascular health
- cardiac rehabilitation
- heart failure management.
Study hours
For each course you study, you'll need to allocate time for learning activities. Depending on your study mode this may include online discussion forums, virtual classroom sessions, lectures, tutorials, workshops and seminars. Plus you'll need additional hours to study in your own time to complete assignments, readings and projects. As a general rule most postgraduate study is completed part-time and if you're studying full-time you would need to allocate 12 – 26 hours of study when at university and 14 – 28 hours of independent study per week.
Assessment
Your studies will incorporate practical, professionally-focused and research-based learning, so assessment types will vary. You can expect them to include:
- clinical portfolios
- online activities
- reports
- practical assessments.
Global opportunities
One of the key benefits of studying with UniSA is our ability to attract and retain internationally renowned researchers. You’ll learn from researchers and academics who are directly connected to industry and all of our clinical teaching staff combine teaching with industry experience.
In addition, our diverse student population means you have the opportunity to gain global and cultural understanding, ideas and insights direct from your peers.
Why Graduate Certificate in Nursing (Cardiovascular Nursing)
UniSA's flexible suite of postgraduate nursing qualifications are designed to recognise your prior learning and advance your career prospects.
This online, part-time qualification has been designed to suit working professionals, with interactive online course materials and a 24/7 learning environment to enable you to organise your study to suit your lifestyle.
The curriculum of this graduate certificate is informed by UniSA's well above world-class research in nursing.1 You'll be taught by specialist postgraduate teaching staff and experienced clinicians, assuring you the very best in academic resources, learning facilities and support.
Upon successful completion of a postgraduate qualification at UniSA, you may then be eligible to gain credit into higher level qualifications and reduce the overall duration of your study.
12018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA).
Real-world connections
Learn from award-winning teaching staff, academics and health professionals via our online forums and virtual classrooms, giving you the opportunity to learn from experienced clinicians in the field and build valuable industry networks and relationships.
Online study
This qualification is offered online. With interactive online course materials and a 24/7 learning environment, you can organise your study to suit your lifestyle. You can:
- access videos and course resources online
- participate in an interactive online learning environment
- submit your assignments and get feedback online
- use online forums for team work and communication.
While online study is available, on-campus attendance for one workshop is required at the City East campus. These requirements are detailed on individual course pages.
Your career
Nurses play a key role at the forefront of healthcare service. With a qualification specialising in cardiovascular health, graduates can take their expertise in to a wide variety of healthcare settings, such as:
- hospitals
- primary health and community settings
- aged/rehabilitative care
- home care
- community health organisations
- child and adolescent health services.
Industry facts
Scholarships
Every year, over 2,500 UniSA students are supported in their studies through scholarships and grants worth millions of dollars. Check out the scholarships below. One of them may be perfect for you. Visit our scholarships page for more.
Scholarship for student leadership
Available for students who are interested in undertaking specified activities with the aim of enhancing the overall student experience at UniSA.
International travel grants
Travel Grants are available to participate in our Study Overseas Programs. UniSA has agreement with over 80 institutions globally.
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UniSA Online – 100% online degrees designed specifically for online learning.
Your study experience and support
Our campuses have fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, tech zones, and spaces that simulate real work environments. You’ll also find student gyms and campus sport activities to keep you active. We also offer flexible study options, with online resources available for accessing lecture recordings, virtual classrooms, library resources and learning support.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation and private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages, or explore our student accommodation by Scape on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, an ideal location for students. It is within easy reach of UniSA’s city and metropolitan campuses, Rundle Mall shopping, the Central Market, Chinatown, and the West End’s vibrant nightlife. It is also across the road from the Adelaide train station, and on bus and tram routes.
Student services
Our student services provide you with all the support you need at university. You can access a full range of support services including academic and personal counselling, career advice, social support services, as well as those through our student association, USASA. When you become a UniSA student, you can also contact Campus Central for help with anything related to your degree. They will help you with your enrolment, ID cards, fees, timetables and more.
24/7 digital environment
Our learnonline facilities include a personal learning environment with virtual classrooms, lecture recordings, emails, learning support, administration, library access and results. The environment is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so you can tailor your learning to your life. We are continually investing in innovative digital technologies for a high-quality student learning experience.
Your program director
I have worked as a clinician, academic and manager across many different areas of nursing practice. This has included intensive care, perioperative, infection prevention and control, and COVID-19 surveillance. As program director, I want to ensure that every registered nurse becomes a life-long learner upon completion of their program – that they are equipped with the best evidence, challenged in their thinking and taught innovative ways to tackle tomorrow’s nursing challenges.
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How do I apply?
There are a number of ways to apply to study UniSA's undergraduate and postgraduate coursework degrees.
Applications for admission into the University of South Australia’s undergraduate and most postgraduate degrees are made via the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC). Visit satac.edu.au and follow the links.
For the MBA degrees please apply through the UniSA MBA Application Portal. Applications for a small number of degrees are submitted direct to UniSA through our Apply Online portal. It will be noted on the degree page if you need to apply via Apply Online.
Postgraduate study by research
For information on applying to do postgraduate study by research, including Master of Research, PhDs or Doctorates, please visit unisa.edu.au/resdegrees. -
Is there a closing date for applications?
Undergraduate
Yes. The deadline to apply to study a degree at UniSA for semester one (commencing late February) and be given equal consideration is in early December. While you may be able to apply after this date, you are not guaranteed to be considered equally with other applicants and your application may not be assessed in time for the main round of offers (mid January). Some degrees will not make any offers after the main offer round. Please click here find all of the key dates for applications here.Postgraduate
Most postgraduate degrees do not have a closing date for applications. However, there are exceptions, so it is best to check – either on the SATAC website, Apply Online or the degree homepage. Postgraduate offers are normally ‘rolling’, meaning they may be sent out at any time up until the program starts. This also means that applications may close at any time without warning, if the quota is filled earlier. For this reason, postgraduate applications should be submitted without delay. For more information, please contact our Future Student Enquiries team on (08) 8302 2376 or via the online enquiry form. -
What credit can I receive for previous studies?
Credit transfer or advanced standing
You may be eligible to receive a credit transfer or advanced standing for your chosen UniSA degree based on your previous studies, if they are in a related area at an equivalent or higher level. Receiving a credit transfer will reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and may also reduce the overall duration of your degree.
Recognised prior learning
If you have related industry experience, you may also be eligible to receive recognised prior learning for this experience. Receiving recognised prior learning will normally reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and can reduce the duration of the degree.
How do I get credit?
Credit transfer and recognition of prior learning is assessed on a case-by-case basis by the Program Director who will discuss your prior learning and experience with you to ascertain what credit you may be eligible for.
Many of our credit transfer arrangements are listed on our online Credit Assessor.
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Can I speak to someone regarding my study options?
UniSA welcomes the opportunity to speak with you regarding your study options. Our staff are able to talk to you about degree information, career outcomes and pathways, entry requirements, applications, and student life, so that you are able to make the best study decision for your future.
Click here to book a 1:1 appointment with one of our enquiries team.
If you are interested in studying an MBA please contact admissions@unisa.edu.au and our Future Student Enquiries team will contact you regarding your enquiry.
Alternatively, you can complete a MyCareerMatch career profile. MyCareerMatch is an online career profiling tool that you can use free-of-charge through UniSA. MyCareerMatch specialises in career profiles and provides you with a personalised career report outlining information about your personality style and a list of career options, which are complementary to your natural strengths and talents.
We have many events throughout the year where you can speak with a lecturer or tutor about your degrees of interest. You can find out what is happening at UniSA by visiting our events page or by signing up to our mailing list, so you're the first to know about careers events, information sessions, degree requirements, scholarships and more!
There are also many career counsellors external to the University that you can discuss your career options with. If you are unsure where to start your search, you can contact the Government's Work Ready team (formally Skills for All). Visit skills.sa.gov.au or call 1800 506 266.
You may also find Job Outlook a helpful resource in your decision-making.
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Where can I get further information?
It can be difficult to decide what degree you would like to do and where. You might find information from government organisations will help to weigh up your degree and provider options.
Find a course or a provider
TEQSA is a regulatory body for higher education providers. Use the TEQSA national register of higher education providers to search for a course or a provider. Compare courses and providers for undergraduates and postgraduates using the Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) online comparison tool.
More information on university admission
Visit the SATAC website to find out important news, events and information on applying to university in South Australia. Visit Study with Us to find out everything you need to know about studying at UniSA, admissions and the application process.
Questions about your application
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your application you should contact the Future Students Enquiries team in the first instance.
What others are saying
Staff who have upskilled with postgraduate study really shine through as motivated workers. We often employ people with postgraduate qualifications in our managerial positions as they have equipped themselves with those extra specialised skills.
Jo Boylans
Director of Operations | Southern Cross Care
The University of South Australia understands that quality teaching in nursing and midwifery goes hand-in-hand with industry partnerships. They work collaboratively across all health care services to design industry-informed curriculum.
Jennifer Fereday
Executive Director | Women’s and Children’s Health Network
We offer high quality resources to assist student learning, including a simulated hospital and health service integrating the latest technologies, and our teaching is delivered by an outstanding group of nursing, midwifery, and allied health academics and clinicians.
Associate Professor Rachael Vernon
