Credit points

20

Specialisation available at

  • Online

Additional information

Patients undergoing surgery present with increasing clinical complexity, multiple comorbidities, and heightened risk of rapid physiological deterioration across dynamic healthcare environments. Specialist surgical nurses play a critical role in delivering safe, high-quality, and people-centred care across the perioperative continuum, from preoperative assessment and preparation to postoperative management, rehabilitation, and discharge.

The surgical specialisation units in the Graduate Certificate in Advanced Clinical Nursing (Surgical) support the development of advanced bioscience knowledge, clinical reasoning, and professional capability required for specialist surgical nursing practice and prepare registered nurses to critically analyse the role and scope of the specialist surgical nurse in improving patient and family outcomes. Students integrate advanced bioscience concepts with evidence-based practice to inform complex clinical decisions, while examining the physical, psychosocial, and cultural impacts of surgery and comorbidities on patients and their families.

The units emphasise advanced clinical reasoning to design, justify, and evaluate evidence-based, people-centred care that responds to variations in surgical patients’ health status. Students critically apply principles of interprofessional collaboration and shared decision-making to deliver culturally safe, equitable, and responsive care to diverse populations. Through critical evaluation of complex ethical challenges and contemporary surgical nursing practices, and reflective examination of professional leadership, students are equipped to lead evidence-based practice, uphold professional standards, and advocate for safe and ethical care within complex surgical environments.


Admission requirements

Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2027 Admission.



Completion requirements

This Specialisation consists of 20cp.

Open all

Schedule of unit offerings

Complete exactly 20 credit points from the following:

  • NRSG552Surgical Nursing: Advanced Clinical Practice10 CP
  • NRSG553Surgical Nursing: Advanced Professional Practice10 CP

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