Graduate Certificate in Perioperative Nursing

Course overview

The course is designed to meet the educational needs of clinicians working in the diverse perioperative environment. Speciality elective units of study are aligned with the main perioperative clinical roles; instrument/circulating, anaesthetic and post-anaesthetic care unit nursing. The core unit of study explores issues relating to professional practice, legal and ethical elements of care and maintaining a safe perioperative environment. Participants can choose from a range of elective units to investigate topics including pain across the lifespan, infection prevention and control and applied clinical physiology.

Please note that this course is only available to registered nurses currently employed within a perioperative setting.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the course students will be able to:

• formulate an advanced knowledge base to promote the safe provision and coordination of evidence-based care within the perioperative environment
• apply critical thinking to the assessment process, linking specialist theory to holistic nursing practice
• critically analyse current literature and nursing practice to provide evidence based contemporary care for persons in the perioperative environment
• model the skills and abilities that provide a foundation for future leadership roles, including reflective practice, knowledge sharing and a commitment to life-long learning
• develop advanced communication skills to establish and maintain therapeutic relationships with people receiving care, their significant others and members of the multidisciplinary team
• critically reflect on the role of personal values and ethics as central to the development of culturally safe practice in perioperative nursing

Career outcomes

A Graduate Certificate in Perioperative 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 Perioperative Nursing is a one year course, consisting of four 10-week terms. Students will need to complete 4 units – 1 core, 1 specialty and 2 electives. One unit is studied per term. Approximate hours of study are 12 – 15 hours per week.