Specialist Certificate in Paediatric Nursing
Course code: SC-PAEN
January, June
AUD $7,000 (2026 indicative first year fee). Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) are not available
January, June
AUD $7,000 (2026 indicative first year fee)
IELTS 6.5: with no band less than 6.0
Course structure
Overview
What you will learn
The Specialist Certificate in Paediatric Nursing draws on scientific knowledge and evidence-based research to develop skills in paediatric nursing. The course focuses on comprehension, analysis and problem-solving skills.
As a student, you will:
- Assess and evaluate the paediatric patient from birth to adolescence using scientific knowledge and evidence-based practice.
- Apply knowledge of human anatomy and pathophysiology across the continuum of care to understand common presentations and interventions in ill and paediatric patients.
- Identify the appropriate treatment and management strategies for a range of paediatric patients with common presentations, including interpretation and communication of patient assessment findings.
- Apply critical thinking to common clinical situations in the planning and provision of paediatric nursing care.
- Evaluate and communicate contemporary research underpinning foundational paediatric nursing practice.
- Apply problem solving skills appropriate for delivery and evaluation of paediatric care as a beginning level specialist nurse.
Course structure
To gain the Specialist Certificate in Paediatric Nursing, you must complete 25 points comprised of:
- One core pre-requisite subject; and
- One core subject.
Note: Students must successfully complete the core pre-requisite subject Applied Pathophysiology (NURS90076) before progressing to Foundations in Paediatric Nursing (NURS90084).
Workload
The estimated hours required for each subject is between 15-19 hours per week, but this varies for each student and depends on your task management and planning, familiarity with the material, reading style and speed.
Explore this course
Explore the subjects you could choose as part of this certificate.
Students must successfully complete the following core subjects
| Accordion | |
|---|---|
| Applied Pathophysiology · 12.5 pts |
This subject provides a foundation for understanding the pathologic basis of disease across the lifespan. It equips learners with the knowledge and skills required to explain assessment data and prioritise patient care in a specialty area of practice based on scientific principles. Core pathophysiological concepts covered will include: cellular responses to stress; adaptation, injury and death; acute and chronic inflammation; tissue renewal and repair; infection; neoplasia; haemodynamic, genetic and immune system disorders and genetic predisposition to disease. Using a case study based approach, learners will be provided with opportunities to apply their knowledge
|
| Foundations in Paediatric Nursing · 12.5 pts |
Foundations in Paediatric Nursing is designed to promote an understanding of the theoretical foundations of Paediatric nursing to support safe practice when caring for paediatric patients. Students will explore growth and development principles from newborn to the adolescent and explore assessment and management of the paediatric patient. The impact of hospitalisation on the child and family unit will also be examined. Interventions initiated by nurses at a beginning level of specialist paediatric practice will be explored, including the technical and scientific knowledge that is a pre-requisite for skill development. The evidence base underpinning practice will be evaluated. |