Graduate Certificate of Palliative Care Nursing
Developed and delivered in partnership between St Vincent’s Health Network Sydney and the University of Notre Dame Australia, this Graduate Certificate provides nurses with advanced knowledge and practical skills to deliver high-quality, person-centred palliative care in any healthcare setting. Palliative care is relevant to all nurses as people with serious or life-limiting illness are cared for in every area of health, and many will need support outside specialist palliative units. Drawing on the expertise of academic leaders and practising clinicians, this program integrates the latest evidence with practice-based insights, preparing graduates to provide skilled, compassionate care wherever it is needed.
This comprehensive program emphasises a holistic, patient-centred approach aligning care with each person’s values, goals, and preferences while equipping nurses to manage complex symptoms, communicate effectively with patients and families, and integrate cultural and spiritual sensitivity into practice.
St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney (SVHS) offers two focused postgraduate courses that articulate with the University of Notre Dame Australia’s (UNDA) postgraduate program:
UNDA offers the following two courses:
Features of the Course
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Hybrid delivery: Online study materials, lectures, weekly drop-in sessions and presentations by expert practitioners.
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Educational and clinical support: Nurse Educators support participants by teaching effective learning strategies and providing guidance to integrate theory into clinical practice. This approach fosters lifelong learning and excellence in patient care.
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Study Days: Dedicated days for focused learning across the SVHS courses. These complement the university content and include lectures, tutorials, discussions, assessments and self-directed learning opportunities
Partnership with University of Notre Dame Australia (UNDA)
The graduate certificate in Palliative Care nursing is delivered in partnership with UNDA. To complete the program students must undertake a total of four (4) courses:
1.Contemporary Palliative Care Nursing Practice (offered by UNDA)
Provides a comprehensive exploration of palliative care, distinguishing it from end-of-life care and emphasising its role across healthcare. Content covers foundational palliative care knowledge, early integration into care, ethical and legal frameworks, and advance care planning.
2. Evidenced Based Practice (offered by UNDA)
Develops understanding of the evidence-based framework and how to translate research into nursing practice. Students learn to form clinical questions, search and appraise literature, and apply evidence in line with patient values and organisational and ethical contexts.
3. Person Centred Approach in Palliative Care Nursing (offered by SVHS)
Enhances practical skills for delivering high-quality, compassionate palliative care, with emphasis on communication, cultural and spiritual considerations, psychosocial care, and self-care for clinicians.
4. Clinical Management in Palliative Care nursing (offered by SVHS)
Develops advanced skills in comprehensive patient assessment and symptom management, guided by the biopsychosocial–spiritual model of care. Students learn to apply both pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies to address complex and changing needs, anticipate and plan for symptom progression, and provide care that supports comfort, dignity and quality of life.
Contemporary Palliative Care Nursing Practice (NURS4028) is a prerequisite for the two SVHS courses and should be completed prior to or alongside them.
Course Duration
The SVHS palliative care courses run sequentially from February to November each year. UNDA courses may be completed concurrently with the SVHS courses or within 24 months of commencing the program. Overall, students can complete the Graduate Certificate in Palliative Care Nursing in 12 to 24 months, with flexible delivery to support work and study balance.
Nomenclature of Award
On successful completion of the two SVHS postgraduate courses, participants receive a Certificate of Clinical Nursing Practice in Palliative Care from St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney. Completion of all four courses leads to the Graduate Certificate in Palliative Care Nursing awarded by the University of Notre Dame Australia.
Entry Requirements
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Undergraduate degree in nursing or equivalent qualification
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Current registration as a Registered Nurse (Division 1) with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
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Minimum of 12 months nursing experience at the time of course commencement
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Applicants are not required to be working in a specialised palliative care unit
Cost
The two courses delivered by SVHS are fee-free for St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney students. These courses attract fees for staff external to St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney at the rate of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) for eligible students.
The application process for this program is through enrolment with the University of Notre Dame Australia for the Graduate Certificate in Palliative Care Nursing.
Fees apply for the two university-offered courses at CSP rates for eligible students. Students may also be eligible for FEE-HELP, a student loan initiative from the Australian Government: www.studyassist.gov.au/help-loans/fee-help
Scholarships
To financially assist students, St Vincent’s Hospital Division of Nursing offers a defined number of scholarships in an endeavour to support nurses to undertake tertiary based Post-Graduate study that relate to clinical specialties at St Vincent’s Hospital.
For further information, please contact the Nurse Manager of Education tele: 02 8382 2322
Scholarships are also available through various other organisations, such as the NSW Department of Health and the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association
Applications
For further enquires please contact:
Sherin Easo| Nurse Educator
T 02 8382 2484 | M 0402732700 E Sherin.Easo@svha.org.au