Graduate Certificate
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.
Admission to Graduate Certificate courses is based on academic merit and selection. In addition, applicants must satisfy any prerequisites or additional requirements specified for particular courses, including ACN’s general eligibility criteria.
All applicants seeking admission are required to:
*For some Graduate Certificate units of study, consideration may be given for applicants who are not registered nurses on an individual basis.
Clinical placements
Anyone applying for an ACN course that includes a clinical placement must provide evidence of compliance documents at the time of application.
Applications for enrolment will not be progressed until all relevant documentation has been received by Customer Services.
Each Australian state and territory has its own clinical placement documentation requirements. Further details are available on our Clinical Placement Information page, click on the tab for your particular state or territory for information on specific requirements.
Individual placement providers may need additional documentation. If you are required to provide this then you will be contacted by the Clinical Placement Officer following enrolment.
ACN negotiates with health care facilities to secure clinical placements. ACN will make every effort to secure clinical placements within the timeframe indicated in the course outline, however applicants are advised that provision and location of clinical placements are dependent on the availability of placements within the health facility.
As placements are difficult to secure, once confirmed these cannot be negotiated unless there are unforeseen extenuating circumstances. Applicants are not to arrange their own clinical placements with a clinical facility under any circumstances. ACN reserves the right to change clinical placements if necessary.
This course is designed to develop specific learning outcomes. Students will:
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.
Core subjects:
*Principles of Stoma Care (044) and Continence Management (045) require 40 hours clinical placement each.
Disclaimer: Fees vary dependent on subject electives chosen