Graduate Certificate
The Graduate Certificate in Palliative Care Nursing equips registered nurses with advanced knowledge and skills to provide compassionate care for patients with life-limiting illnesses. Developed in collaboration with St Vincent's Hospital Sydney, the program combines practical insights from industry experts and robust academic foundations.
The Graduate Certificate in Palliative Care nursing is designed for Registered Nurses in any healthcare setting who wish to develop their knowledge and their skills in providing care for persons diagnosed with a life-limiting illness. This program has been developed in collaboration with St Vincent's Hospital Sydney after extensive consultation with academics and clinicians in the specialty.
Why study this degree?This program was developed in partnership with St. Vincent's Health Network Sydney to provide a career pathway for registered nurses to gain postgraduate qualifications in palliative care nursing. The Graduate Certificate in Palliative Care Nursing is designed to equip registered nurses with advanced knowledge and skills to provide high-quality, compassionate care to patients with life-limiting illnesses. Two courses in the program are led by industry experts, offering hands-on insights from clinical practice, while the remaining two courses are taught by Notre Dame's academic faculty, providing a robust theoretical foundation. This combination ensures students gain both practical skills and academic knowledge, preparing them for the evolving demands of healthcare. Graduates will be prepared to optimise patient outcomes, enhance quality of life, and support the well-being of both patients and their families across diverse healthcare settings.
To be eligible for admission to The University of Notre Dame Australia, all applicants must meet the University's minimum requirements for admission. The requirements for admission are detailed in the University's Policy: Admissions.
To be eligible for admission to the Graduate Certificate in Palliative Care Nursing applicants must also meet the following specific requirements:
Upon successful completion of the Graduate Certificate in Palliative Care Nursing graduates will be able to:
A Graduate Certificate in Palliative Care Nursing will equip registered nurses with advanced knowledge and skills to provide high-quality, compassionate care as a palliative care nurse.
This comprehensive program focuses on a holistic, person-centered approach, combining effective communication, cultural and spiritual sensitivity, thorough assessment and symptom management, and the use of evidence-based practices. Across four integrated courses, students will study the principles and standards of palliative care, practice empathetic communication to support shared decision-making with patients, families, and healthcare teams, manage complex symptoms through both pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods, and apply research findings to enhance nursing practice.