Graduate Certificate in Stomal Therapy Nursing

Course overview

The stomal therapy role is highly specialised and multifaceted encompassing the acute care environment, outpatient setting and the community. The Graduate Certificate in Stomal Therapy Nursing provides the opportunity to develop the knowledge, skills and attributes of a specialist nurse in wound, ostomy and continence management. The course aims to provide students with the theoretical foundation for application to practice, enabling the delivery of contemporary, evidence based care. There is a strong clinical focus and the compulsory professional experience placement will permit exposure to this role and allow the students to reflect and benchmark against professional practice standards.

The course also focuses on clinical leadership, fostering the development of critical thinking and clinical decision making skills.

Learning Outcomes

This course is designed to develop specific learning outcomes. Students will:

• demonstrate the knowledge, skills and attitudes required of the stomal therapy nurse within their speciality context, and benchmark against appropriate professional standards
• develop critical thinking and clinical decision making skills using multiple modes of inquiry and a collaborative approach
• analyse the communication skills used to establish effective interpersonal relationships with clients, their families/carers and the interdisciplinary health care team
• critically evaluate nursing practice against research and current literature to support the provision of contemporary evidence based nursing care
• reflect on the social, ethical and cultural issues affecting patients and their families, thereby providing safe, holistic and person centred health care
• examine leadership, mentoring and educational skills that contribute to a high standard of nursing care and practice development in the health care setting.

Career outcomes

A Graduate Certificate in Stomal Therapy Nursing is an investment in your future and will provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to ensure better outcomes for people and progress your career, leading to opportunities in specialist stomal therapy nursing roles.

Course Structure

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