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Critical care nursing

Discipline

Critical care nurses work in some of the most complex health environments across emergency departments and high dependency units. With our postgraduate critical care nursing courses, you’ll enhance your decision-making skills, enabling you to care for and rapidly respond to critically ill patients.

Explore your study options

Study a postgraduate critical care nursing course and you'll have the flexibility to maintain a work, life and study balance while advancing your skills to grow in your career. Become a change agent to continuously improve the quality, safety and execution of care to critically ill patients. You’ll be immersed in a critical care role while you study, preparing you to succeed no matter where you choose to practice in the world.

Postgraduate

Postgraduate (further study)

A postgraduate qualification can be undertaken by students who have already completed an undergraduate degree or possess significant, demonstrable work experience. Postgraduate courses include graduate certificates, graduate diplomas, masters and PhDs, as well as specialist programs for industry professionals.

Choose a critical care nursing degree that will get you work ready

At Deakin there’s a clear connection between what you study and what lies ahead in your career. You’ll learn through valuable practical experiences, benefitting from our partnerships and research centres.

Benefit from partnerships

The school has strong partnerships with Australian metropolitan, rural and regional hospitals to deliver our specialist postgraduate degrees. You will be employed by a hospital partner and work a minimum of 24 hours a week for the duration of your course.

Improve patient care

Research at the school is conducted through our Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research and in partnership with several major healthcare providers. Our school is ranked 16th in the world,* and the school’s cutting-edge research is recognised as well above world standard.^

How to choose the right course for you

Deakin’s critical care nursing courses are offered at a postgraduate level. You can study at either the graduate certificate or graduate diploma level; or choose to specialise in critical care as part of the Master of Advanced Clinical Nursing.

Are you new to this area of study?

If you haven't previously worked or studied in this area, you'll need to complete an undergraduate course in nursing before moving on to our specialised postgraduate program. Browse the undergraduate offerings in some of our other nursing disciplines.

#16 in the world for nursing

Get a world-class education – we're renowned for our facilities, strong employment outcomes and teaching excellence. Graduate ready to provide high-quality patient care.

Deakin’s course has provided me with a great foundation on which to grow my career. "Knowledge is power", and I think the lecturers and course content have really empowered me as a clinician.

Felicity Hoodless

Postgraduate critical care nursing graduate

Top roles in critical care nursing

With job growth of 12.2% projected for registered nurses and 12.1% for nurse managers by 2028,# there is an industry demand for nurses with sophisticated specialty skills. Our postgraduate critical care nursing courses allow you to meet that demand in a variety of roles across advanced practice, leadership, management and education in regional, rural or metropolitan hospitals including:

  • ICU nurse
  • associate or unit manager
  • clinical nurse specialist
  • clinical nurse educator.

World-class teaching experiences

At Deakin, you’ll gain the confidence and skills to provide high-quality patient care across emergency departments, ICUs and other high-dependency units.

Graduate in demand

Our teaching approach ensures you develop skills in critical thinking, high-quality patient care delivery, teamwork and communication – all attributes highly valued in intensive and critical care units.

Practical experience

You'll get practical experience from the beginning of your course, to develop and consolidate knowledge and clinical skills, giving you a competitive advantage once you graduate.

Footnotes

*2023 ShanghaiRankings Ranking of Academic Subjects.
^Excellence in Research Australia (ERA) 2018.
#Jobs and Skills Australia employment projections, May 2023 to May 2028.
Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. For more information, visit our list of sources.

Contact us

Got a question about our critical care nursing courses? Our expert advisers are available to speak to you about your study options and how we can help you further your career.

Domestic students
1800 693 888
Enquire online

International students
+61 3 9918 9188
Enquire online