The Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH) is committed to facilitating the professional development of our nursing staff. RMH is one of Victoria’s largest hospitals providing a comprehensive range of health services including acute, sub-acute, general and specialist medical services.
Applications for the 2023 Post Graduate Nursing Programs will open in August 2022
About the programs
We have a proud history of supporting nurses in post graduate programs in a variety of clinical areas, with the guidance and support of skilled Clinical Educators and our multi-professional team.
RMH is affiliated with the following tertiary institutions for provision of our Post Graduate Nursing program.
- The University of Melbourne (UoM)
- Deakin University
- Australian Catholic University (ACU)
- La Trobe University
- University of Tasmania (UTAS)
As a post graduate student at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, you will be supported and mentored by the Nursing Education Department (including Clinical Nurse Educators), preceptors and our specialty clinical staff. We aim to build teams that embrace and reflect The Melbourne Way – We put people first – leading with kindness and working together, we excel as one Royal Melbourne Hospital’
Streams on offer in 2023
Nurses wishing to undertake a clinically supported post graduate certificate at RMH must be accepted and enrol into one of the courses listed below. These courses are endorsed by RMH. Enrolment into post graduate programs outside of those listed below will not supported by the Nursing Education Department.
Please note that all stream availabilities are subject to change.
Virtual information sessions
Several virtual information sessions will be scheduled once applications for post graduate programs open. These information sessions will help you gain greater understanding into our patient cohorts, frequent presentations, specialty area interests and program overview. We will also provide you with up to date information regarding post graduate scholarship opportunities to financially support your program of interest.
Need more information?
For further information please contact the Post Graduate Nursing program coordinator by emailing postgraduatenursing@mh.org.au
Applications currently closed. Re-opening in August 2023.
The Graduate Certificate in Acute Care Nursing is designed to assist nurses in developing higher-order clinical reasoning and problem solving skills, specialised clinical proficiency and exceptional communication skills required to care for the complex acutely unwell patient in their clinical practice area.
Acute Care nurses utilise current evidence to analyse and critique care delivery, and apply new knowledge based on evidence to clinical practice, to positively impact patient outcomes and our communities.
The Acute Care post graduate qualification provides nurses with the opportunity to extend their current level of clinical competence, clinical reflection, professional and therapeutic communication, whilst maintaining professional integrity and ethical standards of care, to comprehensively assess and manage care of patients and their families within a multidisciplinary team.
The Graduate Certificate in Acute Care Nursing will be clinically supported by the Nursing Education Department in the following clinical areas / wards:
- Acute Medical Unit (AMU)
- General Medicine (5SE)
- Respiratory Care Unit/Medical Unit (5SW)
- Infectious Diseases ward (9E)
- Emergency General Surgery (3S)
- Colorectal Hepatobiliary Surgery (3SW)
- General Medicine and Gastroenterology (5N)
- Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) & Plastics (7SE)
- Orthopaedics (7SW)
- Vascular, Opthalmology, Urology, BOE (9W)
Course Structure
Please note all enrolments will be into a Master of Acute Care Nursing through La Trobe University with exit points at Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma levels. The Master of Acute Care Nursing is 180 credit points; Graduate Certificate is 60 credit points.
Please see sample plan below
Subject code | Subject title | Credit points |
| LTU0AIM | Academic Integrity Module | 0 |
| NSM4CNE | Critical Nursing Essentials | 15 |
| NSM4TAE | Transition to Acute Care | 15 |
| NSM4SNP | Specialist Nursing Practice | 30 |
There is an option to exit with a Graduate Certificate | ||
More information
Download the Master of Nursing Acute Care information pack 2021.
Download Frequently Asked Questions about the Graduate Certificate in Acute Care
For further information see the La Trobe Master of Nursing website.
Applications currently closed. Re-opening in August 2023.
The Graduate Certificate of Nursing Practice (GCNP) - Cardiac Care is designed to prepare nurses to meet contemporary challenges in cardiac nursing and interventional cardiology within the specialist field of critical care nursing and to progressively build upon knowledge and skills required to comprehensively care for critically ill patients. The GCNP is conducted with our affiliate university, Deakin University.
The Cardiac Care course is campus based (subject to COVID-19 educational delivery restrictions) and offered online through Cloud. Applicants must be currently employed or application successful when applying for this course.
The GCNP (Cardiac Care) is a four (4) credit point, part-time, clinical coursework program. It consists of four (4) subjects completed over a twelve (12) months.
Course Structure - Level 1
Trimester 1
HAI010 Academic Integrity (0 credit points) |
HNN751 Advanced Physiology and Patient Assessment* |
HNN752 Core Principles of Care for the Critically Ill Patient* |
Trimester 2
HNN765 Cardiac Care Nursing 1* |
HNN775 Cardiac Care Nursing 2* |
For further information about read about GCNP - Cardiac Care on the Deakin University website.
Applications currently closed. Re-opening in August 2023.
The Cardiothoracic ward will be joining the Cardiac Care Graduate Certificate in Nursing Practice through Deakin University.
The RMH Cardiothoracic ward is a 30 bedded High Dependency Unit and 18 stepdown beds. The knowledge and skills you acquire from the course will enable you to deliver specialised nursing care for post-operative patients who have had heart and lung surgery, in both the ward and HDU environment. The unit has a positive and vibrant team culture and a reputation for delivering nurse-led, high acuity care. This makes it an excellent learning environment.
The course includes a 3 week supernumerary rotation to ICU, an opportunity to observe cardiac surgery in theatre and to visit recently discharged patients with the cardiothoracic hospital-in-the-home nurse, providing you with comprehensive experience of the post-operative patient's care journey.
The Graduate Certificate of Nursing Practice (GCNP) - Cardiac Care - is designed to prepare nurses to meet contemporary challenges in cardiac nursing and interventional cardiology within the specialist field of critical care nursing and to progressively build upon knowledge and skills required to comprehensively care for critically ill patients. . The GCNP is conducted with our affiliate university, Deakin University.
The Cardiac Care course is campus based (subject to COVID-19 educational delivery restrictions) and offered online through Cloud. Applicants must be currently employed or application successful when applying for this course.
The GCNP (Cardiac Care) is a four (4) credit point, part-time, clinical coursework program. It consists of four (4) subjects completed over a twelve (12) months.
Course Structure - Level 1
Trimester 1
HAI010 Academic Integrity (0 credit points) |
HNN751 Advanced Physiology and Patient Assessment* |
HNN752 Core Principles of Care for the Critically Ill Patient* |
Trimester 2
HNN765 Cardiac Care Nursing 1* |
HNN775 Cardiac Care Nursing 2* |
For further information about read about GCNP - Cardiac Care on the Deakin University website.
Applications currently closed. Re-opening in August 2023.
The Graduate Certificate in Nursing Practice (GCNP) (Emergency) is only open to internal applicants at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. The GCNP (Emergency) is conducted with our affiliate university, the University of Melbourne (UoM). It is a fifty (50) credit point, part time, clinical coursework program completed over twelve (12) months.
Applicants must have minimum 1 year experience working within ED to apply
The GCNP (Emergency) is designed to assist students to develop the ability to apply theoretical knowledge to understand the practice of providing care to individuals experiencing emergency care. Subjects are delivered through a variety of teaching modalities including lectures, tutorials, clinical simulation and online study.
Year 1 Total 50 Points | January 12.5 Points | Core Applied Pathophysiology 12.5 Points | |
March 25 Points | Core Emergency Nursing 1 12.5 Points | Core Emergency Nursing Practice 12.5Points | |
Semester 2 12.5 Points | Core Emergency Nursing 2 12.5 Points |
Find our more about GCNP (Emergency) offered through UoM.
Applications currently closed. Re-opening in August 2023.
The Graduate Certificate in Cancer Nursing (University of Melbourne) is open to internal applicants at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. You will develop a sound understanding of the theory and scientific advances that underpin the comprehensive care and management of people affected by cancer. You will apply this knowledge to clinical practice, demonstrating the ability to competently care for patients with complex care requirements using evidence-based and scientific approaches.
The Graduate Certificate in Cancer Nursing is conducted with our affiliate university, the University of Melbourne (UoM). It is a fifty (50) credit point, part time, clinical coursework program completed over twelve (12) months.
Course Structure
Applied Pathophysiology | 12.5pts |
Foundations in Cancer Nursing | 12.5pts |
Cancer Nursing Practice 1 | 6.25pts |
Cancer Nursing Practice 2 | 6.25pts |
Haematology Nursing 1 | 6.25pts |
Haematology Nursing 2 | 6.25pts |
Read more about Graduate Certificate in Cancer Nursing offered on the University of Melbourne website.
Applications currently closed. Re-opening in August 2023.
The Graduate Certificate of Nursing Practice (GCNP) - Intensive Care course is designed to prepare nurses to meet contemporary challenges in intensive care nursing within the specialist field of critical care nursing, and to progressively build upon knowledge and skills required to comprehensively care for critically ill patients. The GCNP is conducted with our affiliate university, Deakin University.
The Intensive Care course is campus based (subject to COVID-19 educational delivery restrictions) and offered online through ‘Cloud’. Applicants must be currently employed or application successful when applying for this course.
The GCNP (Intensive Care) is a four (4) credit point, part-time, clinical coursework program. It consists of four (4) subjects completed over a twelve (12) months.
Course Structure - Level 1
Trimester 1
HAI010 Academic Integrity (0 credit points) |
HNN751 Advanced Physiology and Patient Assessment* |
HNN752 Core Principles of Care for the Critically Ill Patient* |
Trimester 2
HNN765 Intensive Care Nursing 1* |
HNN775 Intensive Care Nursing 2* |
For further information about read about GCNP - Intensive Care Nursing on the Deakin University website
Applications currently closed. Re-opening in August 2023.
Our in-house courses, RISE to ICU, Bridging and Refresher to ICU programs, are now open for applications. We are looking for passionate and dedicated individuals to join our ICU team.
Take the next step with your nursing practice, as part of the Royal Melbourne Hospital, in a world-class teaching hospital that is one of Victoria’s largest adult trauma centres. Our state-of-the art 42 bed capacity ICU is part of the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre precinct caring for patients with:
Major traumatic injuries
- Haematological emergencies
- Obstetric emergencies
- Cardiothoracic surgery
- Neurosurgery
- Respiratory failure
- Renal failure
- Sepsis and multi organ failure
- Infectious disease
About the Programs
RISE ICU
- The RISE ICU program is open to Registered Nurses with at least 1 year clinical experience
- This 6 month training program incorporates interactive online learning, tutorials, and workshops, self-directed learning and assessments
- Program length is 6 months with 6 months consolidation in the setting
- Participants will be supported clinically within the workplace
Bridging to ICU
- The Bridging to ICU course is open to Registered Nurses who hold a 'critical care' post graduate qualification
- This course is geared towards applicants who have a critical care higher qualification who would like to work within the RMH ICU department
- This 12 month training program incorporates interactive online learning, tutorials, and in-house clinical and academic assessments.
- Participants will be supported clinically within the workplace.
- Program length is twelve (12) months.
Refresher to ICU
- The Refresher to ICU course is open to Registered Nurses who hold an Intensive Care post graduate qualification
- This course is geared towards applicants who have previously completed a post graduate qualification within ICU, but have not worked within the clinical setting in recent years.
- This 12 month training program incorporates interactive online learning, tutorials and workshops, and in-house clinical and academic assessments.
- Program length is twelve (12) months.
- Applicants must have worked within a critical care unit/ward within the past 5 years
Applications currently closed. Re-opening in August 2023.
The Graduate Certificate in Clinical Nursing (GCCN) -Neuroscience is only open to internal applicants at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. This course is designed to prepare nurses for specialty practice at an advanced practice level. A variety of teaching modalities are utilised in delivering education including lectures, tutorials, clinical simulation, online learning and worksheets. The Neuroscience course is run through the Australian Catholic University and the Royal Melbourne Hospital.
The GCCN (Neuroscience) is a forty (40) credit point, part-time, clinical coursework program. It consists of four (4) subjects completed over a twelve (12) to twenty four (24) month timeframe.
Unit Code | Credit Points | Unit Name | Prerequisites | Facilitation |
NRSG 633 | 10 | Clinical Nursing | Nil | Facilitated by RMH |
NRSG 635 | 10 | Extended Clinical Nursing | NRSG 633 | Facilitated by RMH |
NRSG 636 | 10 | Foundations of Specialty practice 1 | Nil | Facilitated by ACU |
NRSG 637 | 10 | Foundations of Specialty Practice 2 | NRSG 636 | Facilitated by ACU |
Read more about GCCN - Neurosciences on the ACU website.
Applications currently closed. Re-opening in August 2023.
The Graduate Certificate of Nursing Practice (GCNP) - Perioperative course is designed to prepare nurses to meet the complex challenges within the speciality practice area of perioperative nursing and to progressively build upon knowledge and skills to explore the specific roles within perioperative nursing practice. The course responds to the demands of industry and partnership/collaborating hospitals by preparing nurses with sophisticated perioperative specialty skills and knowledge.
The Perioperative course is campus based (subject to COVID-19 educational delivery restrictions) and offered online through Cloud. Applicants must be currently employed or application successful when applying for this course.
The GCNP (Perioperative) is a four (4) credit point, part-time, clinical coursework program. It consists of four (4) subjects completed over a twelve (12) months.
Course Structure - Level 1
Trimester 1
HAI010 Academic Integrity (0 credit points) |
HNN755 Core Principles of Perianaesthesia Nursing Care* |
HNN740 Core Principles of Intraoperative Nursing Care* |
Trimester 2
HNN742 Principles of Complex Perianaesthesia Nursing Care* |
HNN743 Principles of Complex Intraoperative Nursing Care* |
Read more about the GCNP (Perioperative) on the Deakin University website.
Applications currently closed. Re-opening in August 2023.
New in 2022 The Royal Melbourne Hospital Nursing Education Department and Renal service will be affiliating with the University of Tasmania (UTAS) to offer supported clinical study for the Graduate Certificate in Nursing (Renal).
This program in collaboration with RMH aims to create an educational environment which values critical, reflective thinking and life-long learning.
The GCN (Renal) course is delivered with our affiliate /university of Tasmania. It is a 50 credit point, part-time, clinical course-work program. It consists of four (4) subjects completed over twelve (12) months.
Unit code | Subject name |
CNA 562 | Foundations of Renal Nursing |
CNA 573 | Contemporary Renal Replacement Therapy |
CNA576 | Self Management in Renal Nursing |
CNA 772 | Interpreting Patient Deterioration |
CNA 782 | The Illness experience |
Selection of EITHER CNA772 or CNA782 - further direction provided by Renal Education team
Read more about the Graduate Certificate in Nursing (Renal) on the University of Tasmania website.