Graduate Certificate in Cancer Nursing

Course overview

Studying the Graduate certificate in cancer nursing provides students with the knowledge and skills required to coordinate and provide culturally safe, evidenced-based cancer care. The Australian College of Nursing aims to enhance students’ professional and ethical understanding in order to facilitate clinical practice development and improve patient outcomes. Our course is written by specialist nurses, for nurses. Students are supported towards to attainment of their individual learning goals by a team of highly skilled clinical experts.

The course responds to industry requirements for flexible multifaceted practitioners capable of practicing in various cancer care environments and in specialist cancer nursing roles. The prevention, diagnosis, pathology and treatment of various cancer types- from diagnosis and primary care, to follow-up, survivorship and palliative care- are explored using an interprofessional team approach. Future treatment trends and the impact a cancer diagnosis has on the individual, their significant others and the broader community, are considered.

Students select from a range of specialty electives which allow further exploration of specific clinical areas of interest related to cancer nursing. Students engage in the planning, development and evaluation of their own clinical and educational requirements to promote lifelong learning through critical analysis and reflection.

Learning Outcomes

This course is designed to develop an understanding of cancer nursing with a strong clinical focus. It enables students to:

• demonstrate a specialist knowledge base within cancer nursing for the provision and coordination of contemporary cancer care
• develop specialist clinical practice and advanced clinical decision-making skills in the assessment and management of people living with cancer
• analyse the communication skills used to establish effective therapeutic relationships with people diagnosed with cancer, their families and carers
• examine the leadership, professional and educational skills contributing to a high standard of cancer nursing care and practice development within interprofessional teams
• evaluate nursing practice against research and current literature to support the provision of contemporary evidence-based cancer nursing care
• reflect on personal and professional values and attitudes in relation to the care of people living with cancer, their families and carers.

Career outcomes

A Graduate Certificate in Cancer Nursing is an investment in your future and will provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to ensure better outcomes for your patients and progress your career, leading to opportunities in clinical education, management and specialist nursing roles.

Course Structure

The Graduate Certificate in Cancer Nursing is a one year course, consisting of four 10-week terms.Students will need to complete 4 units – 3 core and 1 elective. One unit is studied per term. Approximate hours of study are 12 – 15 hours per week.