ICU nursing careers and education

The ICU Registered Nurse Introduction to Specialty Practice (RISE) program is designed to support Registered Nurses develop foundational clinical knowledge and practical skills in Intensive Care Nursing, while gaining the professional confidence necessary to practice safely and effectively in the critical care environment. The program provides a structured and supportive transition into the complex and fast-paced specialty practice of critical care nursing.

Through participation in the RISE program, nurses develop critical thinking and problem‑solving skills, enabling them to recognise clinical deterioration, interpret complex patient information to make informed decisions for patient care. Reflective practice underpins this development by encouraging nurses to evaluate clinical experiences and consolidate learning.

The program supports participants to apply theoretical concepts to clinical practice by integrating classroom learning, online learning modules with supervised bedside experience. Nurses are supported in translating underlying knowledge of pathophysiology, pharmacology, and advanced assessment into practice to provide comprehensive nursing care to acutely unwell ICU patients. 

Nurses are supported to deliver a patient‑centred approach to care within a highly technological environment that incorporates advanced monitoring and invasive therapies, while also recognising the importance of teamwork, communication, and collaboration within the multidisciplinary critical care team. 

The RISE program has no course fees. Participants are employed in a 12-month fixed term position at 0.8EFT (64 hours per fortnight) and work a rotating roster inclusive of mornings, afternoon and night shifts.

To be eligible for the program, applicants must:

• hold AHPRA registration as a Division 1 Registered Nurse,
• have a minimum of 12 months post-registration acute care nursing experience

Following successful completion, participants will be awarded a Certificate of Completion. Nurses who wish to pursue a postgraduate qualification and ongoing employment at the RMH ICU will be required to enrol and complete the Graduate Certificate in Intensive Care Nursing.

The Graduate Certificate in Intensive Care Nursing is designed to support Registered Nurses to develop advanced theoretical knowledge and the clinical expertise required to care for critically unwell patients within the ICU environment. The program builds on foundational critical care skills and supports nurses to practice safely, effectively and confidently in a complex and dynamic clinical setting.

The Graduate Certificate Program is delivered in collaboration with Deakin University, integrating academic study with supervised clinical practice within the RMH Intensive Care, supports consolidation of learning across both the academic and clinical components of the course. 

Participants are supported to apply advanced theoretical concepts to clinical practice while caring for patients with complex physiological needs. Nurses are supported in translating underlying knowledge of pathophysiology, pharmacology, and advanced assessment into practice to provide comprehensive nursing care to acutely unwell ICU patients.

Learning focuses on deepening clinical reasoning, advanced assessment, and decision-making skills, while fostering professional accountability and implementation of evidence-based practice into nursing care.

Nurses are supported to deliver a patient‑centred approach to care within a highly technological environment that incorporates advanced monitoring and invasive therapies, while also recognising the importance of teamwork, communication, and collaboration within the multidisciplinary critical care team. 

Graduate Certificate participants are employed in a 12-month fixed term position at 0.8EFT (64 hours per fortnight) and are required to work a rotating roster inclusive of mornings, afternoon and night shifts.

To be eligible for the program, applicants must:

• hold current AHPRA registration as a Division 1 Registered Nurse
• have a minimum of two years post-registration acute care nursing experience

This is a fee-paying university program. Participants are required to enrol with Deakin University. Commonwealth Supported Positions are available through Deakin. Further information regarding fees and course requirements is available through Deakin University. 

Successful completion of the Graduate Certificate requires participants to pass both the hospital-based and university-based requirements.

Upon successful completion of the program, participants will be awarded a Graduate Certificate in Intensive Care Nursing, be recognised as a Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) and receive applicable qualification allowance. You will also be eligible to apply for an ongoing position within the RMH ICU as a CCRN.  

The ICU Bridging Program is suited to CCRN's who hold a postgraduate qualification in another critical care specialty, such as Emergency Nursing, Coronary Care or Cardiothoracic Nursing, who are seeking to transition their practice into the Intensive Care Unit. 

The program supports participants to apply and adapt their existing critical care knowledge and skills to the ICU context, with a focus on developing ICU-specific clinical competence.

Learning is supported through a combination of face-to-face and online education, skills workshops, competency assessments and supervised clinical practice. 

The program is offered with no course fees. Participants are employed in a 12-month fixed term position at 0.8EFT (64 hours per fortnight) and are required to work a rotating roster inclusive of mornings, afternoon and night shifts.

ICU Refresher Program

The ICU Refresher Program is designed for CCRN's who hold a postgraduate qualification in Intensive Care Nursing and are returning to the ICU clinical environment following an extended period of absence (up to 5 years).

The program supports participants to refresh and update clinical knowledge, skills and confidence, enabling safe return into ICU clinical setting ensuring current evidence-based approach to nursing practice.  

Learning is supported through a combination of face-to-face and online education, skills workshops, competency assessments and supervised clinical practice. 

The program is offered with no course fees. Participants are employed in a 12-month fixed term position at 0.8EFT (64 hours per fortnight) and are required to work a rotating roster inclusive of mornings, afternoon and night shifts.

The Staff Mentoring and Resource Training (SMART) and SMART+ programs have been specifically designed to support  Critical Care Registered Nurses (CCRNs) who are commencing work within the RMH Intensive Care Unit.  

The SMART and SMART+ programs aim to further develop the clinical skills, knowledge and professional practice of CCRNs transitioning into a tertiary-level ICU and Major Trauma Service, providing specialised care to a diverse and highly complex patient population.

A flexible learning model is utilised that recognises prior learning and critical care experience, while responding to the individual learning needs of each participant.

The SMART program is a 6-month mentorship-based program designed for experienced CCRNs seeking to transition into a tertiary-level ICU and further develop their clinical practice. The program provides structured support and targeted education to assist nurses to safely and confidently manage the increased complexity and acuity of patients cared for within the RMH ICU.

Participants are supported through close clinical mentorship to consolidate existing skills, integrate new specialist theory into practice, and develop advanced clinical reasoning and confidence when delivering care within a large tertiary referral centre.

The SMART Plus Program is a 6-9 month structured educational and clinically supported program designed for CCRNs who may be earlier in their critical care career, or who have less experience managing highly complex or specialised patient conditions within a tertiary ICU environment.

This program introduces advanced concepts and skills required to practise safely and effectively in a tertiary‑level ICU. Depending on the experience and learning needs of the participant, the SMART+ program may include formal clinical assessments to support progression and capability development.

Both programs provide comprehensive clinical and educational support including:

• Active engagement and support from Nursing Education and Management teams
• Supernumerary bedside shifts
• Individualised learning and development plans
• Regular learning-progress meetings and planning
• Ongoing clinical supervision and mentorship
• Access to educational resources including comprehensive online learning modules and bedside teaching