Graduate Certificate in Cosmetic Nursing – Australian College of Nursing (2024)

The course will provide nurses with an advanced knowledge of all aspects of cosmetic nursing, as well as an appreciation of the psychological and emotional needs of their clients, enabling them to provide evidence-based, holistic nursing care that reflects current best practice.

For further information on developing technical competency, including administration of injections, applicants are advised to either contact an independent cosmetic training organisation or refer back to their employers.

Participants will be required to successfully complete the following online modules provided in partnership with Bravura Education:

• Laser & Intense Pulsed Light Safety Officer training course (Foundational Concepts of Cosmetic Nursing)
• Advanced Laser & Intense Pulsed Light accreditation course (Advanced Concepts of Cosmetic Nursing)

These are available for no additional fee. Recognition of prior learning will be considered for applicants who have already completed these modules or a recognised equivalent course within the last three years.

This course is fully accredited with the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA). The course is equivalent to 24 credit points towards a Masters degree. More information can be found on the TEQSA website.

At successful completion of the course students should be able to:

• apply specialist knowledge of anatomy and physiology to the nursing assessment and management of clients undergoing cosmetic procedures
• analyse the principles of pharmacology to demonstrate a specialist holistic approach to client centred care
• develop advanced communication skills in order to establish therapeutic relationships with stakeholders
• critically reflect upon current practice and learning experiences to promote leadership, knowledge sharing and development of a philosophy of lifelong learning
• explore the legal, ethical and cultural issues in relation to the nursing care of patients undergoing dermatological and cosmetic procedures
• critically analyse current literature and nursing practice to provide evidence based contemporary care in the cosmetic specialty.

The Graduate Certificate in Cosmetic Nursing is a one year course, consisting of four 10-week terms.

Students will need to complete 4 core units. One unit is studied per term.

Approximate hours of study are 12– 15 hours per week.

ACN offers two intakes per year in January and July. Important dates including start and census dates can be found here.

Flexible intakes in April and October may be available, please contact ourCustomer Servicesteam for further details.

Fees are subject to change without notice.

ACN offers a flexible payment option allowing students to pay their fees on a term-by-term basis. Each term’s fees are due upfront, prior to term commencement.

FEE-HELP is also available for eligible students. Further information can be found here.

Admission to GC courses is based on academic merit and selection. In addition, applicants must satisfy any prerequisites or additional requirements specified for particular courses, including ACN’s general eligibility criteria.

All applicants seeking admission are required to:

• hold a Bachelor of Nursing or registered nurse* equivalent qualification
• hold current registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA); or the equivalent registering authority in your country of origin
• meet the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia English language skills registration standard (nursing and midwifery) – please refer to theAHPRA websiteto download the standard
• have a minimum of one year of postgraduate experience

Please note: this course is not available to direct entry midwives.

*For some GC units of study, consideration may be given for applicants who are not registered nurses on an individual basis.

I’m not working as a cosmetic nurse now, but I’d like to enrol in the course. Can I do this?
Yes, this is one of the few graduate certificates offered by ACN that is open to nurses wishing to change specialties.

I notice that your course doesn’t teach practical skills such as injecting. I don’t have these skills, or any experience in cosmetic nursing. What do I do about this?
If you don’t have experience in injecting or any other clinical skills associated with cosmetic nursing, you’ll need to undertake training independently. We’re unable to recommend any specific education providers, so the best thing to do is research this to see what training organisations can offer.

Will I get a job as a cosmetic nurse if I complete this course?
We can’t guarantee that you’ll be able to secure employment once you’ve completed the course, but a postgraduate course does demonstrate to potential employers that you’re committed to your professional development and have specialist knowledge in the area.

I want to become a nurse practitioner and enrol in a Master of Nursing degree. Can I use this graduate certificate towards this, and if so, which universities will offer this?
ACN graduate certificates are taught at Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) level 8 and are equivalent to one year of a Master’s degree.
We are unable to provide further advice on achieving nurse practitioner status and recommend you contact either the NMBA or a university offering an AHPRA approved course here.

I’m a midwife but I don’t have a registered nurse qualification. Can I do the course?
Unfortunately, the course is only open to registered nurses, and midwives who also hold dual registration with AHPRA as both an RN and midwife.

Is the course nationally recognised?
All ACN graduate certificates are accredited by the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA), Australia’s independent national quality assurance and regulatory agency for higher education. You can search the register on the TEQSA website.

Can I get credit or recognition of prior learning for any parts of this course?
Yes, you can be eligible for a recognition of prior learning (RPL) if you have done similar units/subjects that can be mapped across the units and learning outcomes of this course. Note that this will need to be validated by the course coordinator for approval. An RPL can also be obtained if you have completed a laser safety officer certificate in the last three years. You can find more information on this on our Entry requirements tab.

Please ensure you read all course information, make sure you meet entry requirementsprior to commencing the application form.

Applications for enrolmentwill notbe progressed until all relevant documentation has been received by Customer Services.

We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health care professionals to study this course. If you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person we encourage you to let us know in your application. If you require assistance with completing your application or support during the course, please don’t hesitate to let us know.

For general course information:
Customer Services
t:02 9745 7500
e:customerservices@acn.edu.au