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Entry requirements and pathways
Academic entry requirement
Prerequisites
Must be registered as a Registered Nurse with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and hold a current practising certificate.
Successful completion of a recognised entry level Registered Nursing degree (equivalent to an Australian Bachelors degree). It is expected that applicants will be working in the field of Nursing as a Registered Nurse.
Note: Meeting minimum prerequisites does not guarantee an offer of a place. Entry into all La Trobe courses is based on competitive selection and there may be limited places available.
Special Entry Access Schemes (SEAS)
For information on adjustment factors that may be applicable, such as those through Special Entry and Access Schemes (SEAS) and other La Trobe special access schemes see: Special Entry Access Schemes (SEAS)
Credit for previous study (advanced standing)
Credit for previous study (advanced standing) is the recognition of prior study or learning that can be counted towards a qualification. This can reduce the number of subjects required to complete your course. The amount of credit received depends on the level and relevance of your previous study and the number of subjects completed.
The University will designate courses where there is only admission into Year 1 of the course. In these cases, there is limited credit. See list of limited entry courses.
To check if this course is available for credit, please visit the Advanced standing webpage.
Pathways
There are currently no alternative Pathway courses for this course.
Use the Pathways Tool to discover other courses with pathway options available.
Questions about the course?
Check when course applications close and find out how to apply directly.
Call 1300 135 045
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Book a consultation with us to get advice on your study options.
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What you'll study
Sample course structure
Please note, the following course structure is indicative and subject to change depending on your course location, offer year or how you tailor your course with specialisations, majors, minors and electives. Structures for the following year are not normally finalised until October, so the sample provided is based on the most recently approved structure. For more information, please refer to the La Trobe University Handbook.
To qualify for the award of Graduate Diploma of Rural Nursing Practice, students must complete a total of 120 credit points across 1 year.
Year 1 requires the completion of 120 credit points including:
- 90 credit points from chosen Core
- 30 credit points from chosen Electives
Study options
Core subjects are required subjects in your course. You need to complete these subjects to attain your degree.
| Subject name | Subject code | Year | Credit points |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACADEMIC INTEGRITY MODULE | LTU0AIM | 1 | 0 |
| ADVANCED RURAL NURSING PRACTICE | NRS4006 | 1 | 15 |
| COMMUNICATION FOR RURAL NURSING PRACTICE | NRS4003 | 1 | 15 |
| COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH ASSESSMENT | NRS4002 | 1 | 15 |
| DIGITAL HEALTH FOR RURAL NURSING PRACTICE | NRS4005 | 1 | 15 |
| FOUNDATIONS OF URGENT CARE NURSING | NRS4001 | 1 | 15 |
| RURAL NURSING PRACTICE | NRS4004 | 1 | 15 |
A range of standalone elective subjects is available in this course. Some electives are recommended for your course, but you may also be able to choose from a range of University-wide electives or electives from other interest areas or disciplines. Note these electives may have their own prerequisites and other requirements. Please refer to the La Trobe University Handbook for the subjects available.
See La Trobe University Handbook for more details
The Handbook contains detailed course information designed for enrolled students, including course structures, electives and options. The delivery of this course can vary between campuses.
View course information for Online
Questions about the course?
Check when course applications close and find out how to apply directly.
Call 1300 135 045
Book a one-on-one
Book a consultation with us to get advice on your study options.
Ask a question
Submit a question online. We'll get back to you within the next business day.
Graduate Diploma of Rural Nursing Practice course and career outcomes
However you choose to structure your study, La Trobe recognises your hard work. Here are the pathways you could follow as you move through your course.
Course intended learning outcomes
- Apply advanced nursing practice knowledge and skills to contribute to informed clinical judgement for rural nursing practice.
- Perform independently and as a team member in a variety of clinical contexts within rural healthcare settings in accordance with professional ethical standards.
- Appraise and select digital health and telehealth care options to provide accessible, equitable and effective rural nursing care.
- Communicate effectively with the community and as a member of a geographically dispersed multidisciplinary team.
- Generate evidence-based approaches to plan, implement and evaluate culturally appropriate person/client-centred rural nursing care.
- Develop skills in leadership and management, including planning and implementing staff recruitment, performance management, and financial management relevant to rural healthcare settings.
Graduate Diploma of Rural Nursing Practice career opportunities
Graduates of this course will be highly employable as registered nurses in rural healthcare settings including:
- hospitals
- community health centres
- hospices
- aged care settings
- clinics
Questions about the course?
Check when course applications close and find out how to apply directly.
Call 1300 135 045
Book a one-on-one
Book a consultation with us to get advice on your study options.
Ask a question
Submit a question online. We'll get back to you within the next business day.
Fees and scholarships
Estimated course fees for domestic postgraduate students
Estimated fees per year (2025):
Indicative based on 2024 fees
$29,400 per 120 credit points.
Note: 120 credit points represents full-time study for one year.
Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) may be available.
Indicative CSP price $4,445 per 120 credit points.
Commonwealth supported places (CSP):
Scholarships
Scholarships are available for both current and future students. Find out what La Trobe scholarship opportunities might be available to you. View all available scholarships
Note: You must first have an offer to study at La Trobe before you are eligible to apply for a La Trobe scholarship.
Scholarships that may be available for this course
La Trobe Excellence Scholarships - Domestic Students
Albury-Wodonga Campus, Bendigo Campus, Melbourne Campus, City Campus, Mildura Campus, Shepparton Campus – Future postgraduate coursework, Australian Citizen
Duration of Course
Tertiary Access Payment (TAP) Program
Albury-Wodonga Campus, Bendigo Campus, Melbourne Campus, City Campus, Mildura Campus, Shepparton Campus – Future undergraduates, 1st year undergraduates, Australian Citizen, Humanitarian Visa, New Zealand Citizen, Permanent Resident
Full time enrolment and proof of relocation will be confirmed before payment is made into the recipient's bank account.
Questions about fees and scholarships?
Check when course applications close and find out how to apply directly.
Call 1300 135 045
Book a one-on-one
Book a consultation with us to get advice on your study options.
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Submit a question online. We'll get back to you within the next business day.
How to apply
The application process can vary depending on the course.
Most postgraduate courses generally take 15 to 20 minutes.
You can apply for up to eight postgraduate courses. Please list these in order of your preference. If you’re eligible, you’ll receive an offer for your highest preference. If you change your mind, you can change your preferences through the application portal.
Check when course applications close
If you’ve undertaken study in the past, you may be able to get credit toward your new postgraduate degree. This is called ‘advanced standing’.
Once you’ve enrolled in your course, you can apply for advanced standing by lodging an advanced standing application form.
Ready to apply?
Check when course applications close and find out how to apply directly.
Call 1300 135 045
Book a one-on-one
Book a consultation with us to get advice on your study options.
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Submit a question online. We'll get back to you within the next business day.
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Overview
Key facts
| Award | Graduate Diploma of Rural Nursing Practice |
|---|---|
| Start dates |
Indicative based on 2024 start dates LTU Term 4 (July 2025) |
| Duration | 1 year full-time or part-time equivalent |
| Available locations | Online |
| Scholarships | View fees and scholarships |
| Fees |
Indicative based on 2024 fees $29,400 per 120 credit points.Note: 120 credit points represents full-time study for one year. Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) may be available. Indicative CSP price $4,445 per 120 credit points. Learn more about Fees and scholarships. |
About the Graduate Diploma of Rural Nursing Practice
Become a specialist in rural nursing practice and equip yourself with the skills required to lead and support health care in rural communities.
Learn how to coordinate culturally safe, up-to-date and evidence-based nursing care in rural communities and develop the tools you need to make a real difference in rural healthcare.
Developed by experienced rural nurses, our industry-focused program will equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to become a leader in rural health care.
In this course you'll:
- Take your existing qualifications as a registered nurse and specialise in rural nursing practices.
- Learn from experienced rural nursing academics who are also practicing clinicians.
- Develop in-demand clinical skills and knowledge in digital health, urgent care, advanced life support, palliative care, rural aged care practice and remote emergency care.
- Develop advanced work-based skills in communication, conflict resolution as well as effective teamwork and workplace culture.
- Gain skills in leadership and management.
- Have the flexibility of studying online, from anywhere and join us for a short intensive for Advanced Life Support training.
- Gain the skills required by registered nurses working in rural settings as identified by regional and rural health peak body CRANA+
- Upon completion, use your qualification to apply for the Master of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner) or a number of other master's degrees in nursing, public health and leadership.
The qualification awarded on graduation is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) as Level 8 - Graduate Diploma.
Have questions?
Check when course applications close and find out how to apply directly.
Call 1300 135 045
Book a one-on-one
Book a consultation with us to get advice on your study options.
Ask a question
Submit a question online. We'll get back to you within the next business day.
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