Graduate Diploma of Perioperative Nursing
Graduate Diploma of Perioperative Nursing
Are you ready to play a pivotal role in a multidisciplinary perioperative team? If you want to take the next step in your nursing career, our Graduate Diploma of Perioperative Nursing prepares you to practise effectively at an advanced practice level. As a graduate you will demonstrate ethical, safe, high-quality…
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COURSE DESCRIPTION
Are you ready to play a pivotal role in a multidisciplinary perioperative team?
If you want to take the next step in your nursing career, our Graduate Diploma of Perioperative Nursing prepares you to practise effectively at an advanced practice level. As a graduate you will demonstrate ethical, safe, high-quality and expert clinical decision-making abilities within a multidisciplinary team, and psychomotor skills commensurate with specialised theoretical knowledge, evidence-based practice and person-centred care.
Deakin’s strong industry connections ensure a high level of collaboration and support during your clinical practice. This means that while you study you can immerse yourself in your speciality nursing practice area with one of our numerous metropolitan, rural and regional health partners across Australia.
This course enables you to:
critically assess and manage elective and emergency patients undergoing complex and specialty surgical procedures, including anaesthetic management
develop an advanced understanding of pharmacological therapies including anaesthetic agents, adjunct therapies and pain management therapies
perform patient assessment and monitoring of neurological, cardiovascular, respiratory and haemodynamic states
manage complex and special populations to identify risk and inform decisions that deliver safe, high-quality nursing care to promote optimal patient outcomes
play a pivotal role in the multidisciplinary team management of surgical and/or procedural patients across: infection prevention, surgical safety and environmental planning and preparation; surgical wound closure and management; and medico-legal requirements
demonstrate skills in advanced monitoring and postoperative anaesthesia care following complex and specialty surgery
apply the core principles of perioperative practice across a range of surgical specialities
develop greater decision-making autonomy, critical thinking and leadership skills, advanced clinical judgement, and professional behaviours required for safe patient care, effective teamwork, and career advancement.
Second year elective units allow you to pursue specific areas of interest aligned to your career goals. You can choose from complementary areas of health practice, or undertake studies preparing you for roles in education, leadership or management. You will also have the opportunity to select a unit from anywhere across the university, further expanding your skill set.
Our innovative online program delivers a rich, interactive and empowering learning experience that is designed for postgraduate nursing students. Live-streaming seminars and class discussions encourage critical thinking, problem-solving and teamwork skills. Australia’s top-rated tech support and access to our expert teaching staff means you can learn at your own pace, when and where it suits you, without compromising quality or support.
Career outcomes
With job growth of 12.2% projected for registered nurses and 12.1% for nurse managers by 2028,^ there is an industry demand for nurses with sophisticated specialty skills, particularly in regional and rural areas. Deakin’s Graduate Diploma of Perioperative Nursing will allow you to meet that demand in a variety of roles across advanced practice, leadership and management, including:
anaesthetic nurse
circulating nurse
instrument nurse
nurse educator
perioperative nursing management positions
post anaesthesia care unit (PACU) nurse
pre-admission and day surgery nurses.
^ Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION
Deakin University is ranked in the top 1% of universities worldwide (ARWU).  It is a global leader in many areas of study including accounting and finance, business, engineering, education, nursing, sport science, and sport management. It is known for its industry-based learning, with all degrees offering the opportunity for work placements. Deakin has four campuses across the state of Victoria, offering high-quality teaching and first-rate facilities.  Our students love studying here – that is why Deakin University has been ranked #1 for course and student satisfaction in Victoria for 13 years (Australian Graduate Survey 2010–2015, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2016–2022 (GOS)).