Graduate Certificate in Nursing Informatics Leadership

Course information

Below you can view entry requirements, career options and what’s available through our extensive student support network.

Entry requirements

To apply for the online Graduate Certificate in Nursing Informatics Leadership, you are required to have:

  • Completed an AQF Level 7 Bachelor of Nursing, or equivalent qualification​, AND​​
  • Current registration as a Registered Nurse (Division 1) with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)​​

OR

  • ​ Applicants without an AQF 7 bachelor degree in nursing (or equivalent qualification) who hold current registration as a Registered Nurse (Division 1) with the Australian Practitioner Regulation Agency (APHRA) and one year of full-time (or part-time equivalent) clinical work experience will be considered for the Graduate Certificate in Nursing Informatics Leadership.

Student support

VU Online provides you with the support you need, when you need it, throughout the course. With four layers of student support, our goal is to ensure you succeed in your studies.  
   
Our highly experienced academics understand how to deliver a quality online learning experience and are highly responsive and accessible.  
   
You will also have access to a dedicated Student Success Advisor, who provides motivation and one-on-one personalised assistance with non-academic matters for the duration of the course. You will experience the support of a community through chat, virtual seminars and discussion board activity. Your support network is only a phone call or email away.

 

Fees and FEE-Help

A Graduate Certificate in Nursing Informatics Leadership from VU Online costs $2,880 per unit*, taking the total for 4 units to $11,520*.

​This depends on the number of units you study and whether you are eligible for Advanced Standing, which is assessed after you submit your application.  
   
Note that you may be eligible for the Australian Government’s loan scheme, FEE-HELP. The loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying students with the cost of a university program. It can be used for all or part of the tuition. To determine your eligibility, visit the FEE-HELP website.  
   
*2024 student fees are shown and are subject to change.

Commonwealth Supported Places

A Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) is a place where the government pays for part of your unit fees. This is a subsidy, not a loan, so you do not need to pay it back. Your remaining fees may also be eligible for FEE-HELP. 

This subsidy is available to eligible students completing the Graduate Certificate in Nursing Informatics Leadership. It is only applicable to new students commencing their Graduate Certificate in 2024. To find out if you’re eligible for this subsidy, visit the government’s Study Assist. Limited places available. 

For more information on fees and student support, download a brochure.

How online study works

Studying with VU Online means that you can undertake postgraduate study without having to attend on-campus classes. This makes it easy to fit study around existing commitments including work and family. You will be able to access your coursework, resources, assignment details and individual feedback from facilitators, all from your online learning environment, VU Collaborate.

Chat with fellow students, compare research notes and collaborate on group tasks – it’s all possible with our seamless, community-focused platform.

With VU Online, you will study just one unit at a time under the award-winning VU Block Model®. Learn about our postgraduate online Block Model with this YouTube video.

You will receive support from our responsive academics and facilitators, as well as your dedicated Student Success Advisor throughout your study.

How to apply

VU Online has simplified the application process, involving just three key steps.  

1. Speak to one of our Student Enrolment Advisors, who will help you determine your eligibility for the program and whether it suits your career goals. Our advisor will keep you informed of all the application requirements and what to expect during the process. They can also suggest flexible study plans for your circumstances.  

2. Begin your online application and submit the required documentation. This may include a copy of your CV and academic transcript.  

3. Upon completing your application, you will receive a confirmation email or an email letting you know if you need to provide any additional information.

Learn about our postgraduate online Block Model and how it can empower you to create your own success story.

What you'll study

The Graduate Certificate will set you apart with in-demand nursing informatics leadership skills. Harness the power of technology, leading technology-driven quality and safety innovations to improve patient outcomes. Each unit of study lasts seven weeks, meaning you can earn your qualification in as little as eight months.

Nursing Informatics Leadership ​​(Unit code: HNO6017)

The use of digital technologies in nursing supports high-quality patient care in Australia. The sector needs skilled leaders to advance adoption of these technologies and lead improvements in digital literacy amongst nurses. This unit provides a comprehensive overview of the digital healthcare landscape and the adoption of nursing informatics technologies and practices. Students critically examine the role of leadership in the adoption, implementation, and use of nursing informatics. They practice leadership scenarios to develop, implement and assess professional development programs for informatics use in clinical settings and interrogate a range of barriers and enablers to the use of digital technologies in healthcare. Recognising the growing need for nursing informatics to improve complex care coordination and patient outcomes, students will be equipped to lead on and advocate for policies, procedures and practices the maximise the benefits of health informatics.

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Leading Improvement and Innovation (Unit code: HNO6003)

One of the key performance indicators in management and leadership within nursing is to effectively lead improvement and innovation. In this unit students will determine key safety and quality concerns within the nurse practice environment and their influence on patient outcomes. Students will interrogate contemporary approaches, tools and techniques to improve the safety and quality of patient care. The unit requires students to formulate an approach to quality improvement that enhances an aspect of the nurse practice environment and patient outcomes in a specialised area of nursing practice. Students will also demonstrate the skills required to develop a teaching module to support an implementation strategy and ensure sustainability.

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Nursing Informatics (Unit code: HNO6006)​​

This unit will enable students to take leading roles in digital healthcare to ensure technology is designed and used effectively to enhance their capacity to deliver superior and safer care. Students will learn about and practice health informatics skills to assess the usability of information systems and their alignment to nursing workflow, patient safety and information needs. By developing skills in data analytics and examining the adoption of nursing data standards including interoperability issues, students will analyse complex problems and formulate contextualised responses. Students will also examine issues related to the protection of privacy, confidentiality and security of health information and consider the potential usefulness of social networking tools in communicating health-related information.

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Nursing Leadership and Management (Unit code: HNO7006)​​

Nursing is a global profession that occurs within complex environments. Often nursing managers are responsible for being leaders and change agents within the profession and successfully managing teams. To be a successful leader or manager, students need to understand the challenges that currently impact on healthcare. This unit assists students in developing leadership knowledge and skills to achieve better outcomes for patients and create positive working environments. Unit content explores theories, concepts and leadership styles to help nurses further develop their leadership potential and the skills of motivating, coaching, and mentoring.

View unit page

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Read more about the units you will study in this course and more, by downloading our comprehensive free brochure

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Entry requirements

Entry requirements

  • Completed an AQF Level 7 Bachelor of Nursing, or equivalent qualification AND;
  • Registration as a Registered Nurse (Division 1) OR Registered Midwife with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) OR equivalent registration with the relevant registering authority for applicants outside of Australia AND;
  • Completed a minimum of one year of full-time clinical experience, or the part-time equivalent, as a registered nurse and have clinical support in a mental health specialty area OR provide written confirmation from their employer that they are employed in a mental health setting.

For more information about the units of study, download a brochure.

Career options

Career outcomes

With VU Online’s Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Nursing, you’ll enhance your knowledge and skills in evidence-based assessment and intervention approaches in mental health. This course positions you to take on mental health care coordination and community mental health service roles.

Upon completion, you can continue your studies to gain your Graduate Diploma and Master of Mental Health Nursing.

For more information about career outcomes, download a brochure.

Student Support & Fees

Student Support

VU Online provides you with the academic support you need, when you need it, throughout the course. With four layers of student support, our goal is to ensure you succeed in your studies. Our highly experienced academics understand how to deliver a quality online learning experience and are responsive and accessible.

You will also have access to a dedicated Student Success Advisor, who provides motivation and 1:1 personalised assistance with non-academic matters for the duration of the course. You will experience the support of a community through chat, virtual seminars and discussion board activity. Your support network is only a phone call or email away.

FEES and FEE-HELP

Our Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Nursing costs $2,600 - $2,700 per unit*. The total cost for all four units is $10,500.

FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying students with the cost of a university course. This Government loan scheme helps to pay for all or part of their tuition.

*2022 student fees are shown and are subject to change.

For more information on fees and student support, download a brochure.

Career outcomes

Be empowered to lead the way in nursing informatics practices, using innovative techniques to overcome obstacles and improve systems. 
 
The VU Online Graduate Certificate in Nursing Informatics Leadership is the first postgraduate program focused on the specialised area of nursing informatics leadership. Build a strong foundation in nursing informatics leadership and graduate ready to create change and deliver superior patient outcomes. 
 
Download our program guide to take the next step in your career.

nursing informatics careers

Frequently asked questions

What is the role of nursing informatics?

Nursing informatics plays a critical role in implementing systems and practices that align with nursing workflow and empower nurses to deliver safer and superior patient care.

What are the benefits of informatics in nursing?

This course will enable you to harness the power of technology to improve patent outcomes. You’ll understand the latest trends in digital healthcare, formulating and leading technology-driven quality and safety innovations to enhance patient-centred care.​

Why is nursing informatics important in the healthcare profession? 

Studying a Graduate Certificate In Nursing informatics Leadership will empower you to lead the way in nursing informatics practices, using innovative techniques to overcome obstacles and improve systems.

How long does it take to complete a nursing informatics degree? 

VU Online's Graduate Certificate in Nursing Informatics Leadership can be completed in a minimum of 8 months, studying part-time. On completion of the graduate certificate, you can apply to progress to the Master of Nursing with credit.  

Do I need to be a nurse to study this course?

Yes, the course is designed for APHRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) registered nurses with a bachelors degree or equivalent.

 

I haven't studied for a while. What type of support will students receive while studying Graduate Certificate in Nursing Informatics Leadership with VU Online?

When you study with VU Online, you will receive four layers of personalised academic and non-academic support including:

  • Weekly online office hours and seminars from your unit coordinator 
  • 1:1 personalised academic support via phone, SMS or email from your online facilitator in the evening and on weekends 
  • Non-academic and study support from your success advisor 
  • IT, library, literacy, numeracy and counselling support. 

What is a Commonwealth Supported Place?

A Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) is a place where the government subsidises part of a student’s unit fees. This is a subsidy, not a loan, so you do not need to pay it back. Your remaining fees may also be eligible for FEE-HELP.

This subsidy is available to eligible students completing the Graduate Certificate in Mental Health, Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Nursing, Graduate Certificate in Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Graduate Certificate in NursingGraduate Certificate in Nursing Informatics Leadership and Graduate Certificate in Public Health.

It is only applicable to new, eligible students who enrol and commence their studies in 2024.

To find out more or check your eligibility, please speak with an Enrolment Advisor.

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