Course Learning Outcomes and Minimum Standards
Graduate Certificate of Nursing Practice (Perioperative) AQF Level 8
Deakin Graduate Learning
Outcomes
1. Disciplinespecific
knowledge and
capabilities:
appropriate to
the level of
study related to
a discipline or
profession.
AQF Graduate Certificate Descriptor1
AQF Level 8 (Graduate Certificate)
Criteria*
Knowledge: specialised knowledge within a
systematic and coherent body of knowledge
that may include the acquisition and
application of knowledge and skills in a new
or existing discipline or professional area.
Knowledge: advanced theoretical
and technical knowledge in one or
more disciplines or areas of
practice.
Skills: specialised technical and creative
skills in a field of highly skilled and/or
professional practice
Application of knowledge and skills: will
demonstrate the application of knowledge
and skills:
 to make high level, independent
judgements in a range of technical or
management functions in varied
specialised contexts
 to initiate, plan, implement and evaluate
broad functions within varied specialised
technical and/or creative contexts
Discipline/ Professional Standards
Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)
1.THE REGISTERED NURSE FUNCTIONS IN
ACCORDANCE WITH LEGISLATION, PROFESSIONAL
Demonstrate safe, high quality
STANDARDS, AND HEALTHCARE AND UNIT
clinical decision making and
POLICIES THAT AFFECT PERIOPERATIVE NURSING psychomotor skills commensurate
PRACTICE
Application of knowledge and skills:
with specialty perioperative
apply knowledge and skills to
1.1 Demonstrates knowledge of legal aspects of
nursing theoretical knowledge,
demonstrate autonomy, wellperioperative nursing practice
evidence-based practices and
developed judgement, adaptability 2.CONDUCTS PERIOPERATIVE NURSING PRACTICE person-centred care.
and responsibility as a practitioner
WITHIN AN ETHICAL FRAMEWORK
or learner.
2.1 Respects and promotes the rights and dignity
of the perioperative patient
Minimum Standards (relating to
CLOs)
Demonstrate autonomous and
collaborative specialised
perioperative practice and
decision making that delivers safe,
high quality patient care
consistent with the Australian
College Operating Room Nurses
[ACORN] Competency Standards
for Perioperative Nurses
2.2 Functions with in the ANMAC and the NHMRC
and health care facility’s ethical guideline
2.3 Acts as the patient’s advocate
2.4 Functions within the established philosophy,
purpose and objectives of the health care facility
and perioperative service
3. APPLIES NURSING KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS TO
ENSURE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR
PERIOPERATIVE PATIENTS AND THE HEALTH CARE
TEAM
3.1 Applies the principles of microbiology and
infection control to all activities within the
perioperative environment
3.2 Applies surgical conscience at all times
3.3 Identifies potential risks and takes appropriate
action to prevent/minimise those risks
3.4 Utilises knowledge of hospital policies
pertaining to emergency situations
3.5 Applies knowledge of environmental control
procedures
4. CONDUCTS A PERIOPERATIVE NURSING
ASSESSMENT OF THE PATIENT
4.1 Performs a perioperative nursing assessment
and plans nursing care to meet the patient’s
1
The text in the 2nd and 3rd columns is taken directly from the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Second Edition January 2013 (www.aqf.edu.au). In relation to each of the Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLO), the full text from the AQF is reproduced. However, some concepts from the AQF
specifications may not apply to a particular Graduate Learning Outcome – in these cases, they have placed in parentheses.
Graduate Certificate of Nursing Practice (Perioperative) AQF Level 8
Deakin Graduate Learning
Outcomes
AQF Graduate Certificate Descriptor1
AQF Level 8 (Graduate Certificate)
Criteria*
Discipline/ Professional Standards
physical, emotional, spiritual and cultural needs
5. PLANS PERIOPERATIVE NURSING CARE IN
CONSULTATION WITH PATIENT, SIGNIFICANT
OTHERS AND INTERDISCIPLINARY HEALTHCARE
TEAM
5.1 Developments and documents a perioperative
nursing model of care to achieve optimal
outcomes
6. IMPLEMENTS INDIVIDUALISED NURSING CARE
TO ACHIEVE PERIOPERATIVE PATIENT OUTCOMES
6.1 Prepares the environment relevant to the
patient’s needs
6.2 Implements a physical and psychological
environment which promotes safety, security and
optimal health
6.3 Maintains vigilance in the monitoring of the
patient’s physiological status
7. EFFECTIVELY COMMUNICATES AND
DOCUMENTS RELEVANT INFORMATION TO
PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE PERIOPERATIVE CARE
7.1 Demonstrates effective interpersonal
communication skills
7.2 Utilises effective communication within the
organisation
7.3 Maintains accurate documentation of records
for the perioperative period
7.4 Establishes and maintains a caring relationship
with the patient and significant others
8. PROVIDES ONGOING EVALUATION OF THE
PERIOPERATIVE PATIENT’S PROGRESS TOWARD
EXPECTD PERIOPERATIVE OUTCOMES
8.1 Evaluates effectiveness of planned care
8.2 Identifies actual and potential problems
9. COLLABORATES WITH MEMBERS OF THE MULTI
DISCIPLINARY TEAM TO MANAGE THE RESOURCES
AND OPTIMIZE PERIOPERATIVE PATIENT CARE
9.1 Organises human, physical and financial
resources in collaboration with the perioperative
team
10. PARTICIPATES IN QUALITY IMPROVEMENT
AND RISK MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE
PERIOPERATIVE SERVICES/UNIT/DEPARTMENT
10.1 Identifies and participates in quality
improvement activities relating to all aspects of
Graduate Certificate of Nursing Practice (Perioperative) AQF Level 8
Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)
Minimum Standards (relating to
CLOs)
Deakin Graduate Learning
Outcomes
AQF Graduate Certificate Descriptor1
AQF Level 8 (Graduate Certificate)
Criteria*
Discipline/ Professional Standards
Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)
Minimum Standards (relating to
CLOs)
perioperative patient care
10.2 Utilises appropriate mechanisms to
communicate identified deficiencies
10.3 Contributes to the formulation,
implementation and periodic revision of quality
improvement activities
10.4 Identifies and participates in risk
management activities relating to all aspects of
perioperative patient care
11.PARTICIPATES IN ONGOING PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT AND PRACTICES WITHIN AN
EVIDENCE BASED FRAMEWORK
11.1 Participates in educational activities both
within and external to the perioperative
environment
11.2 Contributes to the professional development
of others within the perioperative environment
11.3 Contributes to the process of nursing
research
2. Communication:
using oral,
written and
interpersonal
communication
to inform,
motivate and
effect change. #
Skills:
 communication skills to demonstrate an
understanding of theoretical concepts
 communication skills to transfer complex
knowledge and ideas to a variety of
audiences.
Skills: advanced cognitive, technical
and communication skills to select
and apply methods and
technologies to:
 analyse, generate and transmit
solutions to complex problems
 transmit knowledge, skills and
ideas to others.
7.1 Demonstrates effective interpersonal
communication skills
Demonstrate verbal, written and
interpersonal communication skills
using discipline-specific language
7.2 Utilises effective communication within the
and lay-terms necessary to assess
organisation
and interpret data, convey ideas,
7.3 Maintains accurate documentation of records develop plans of care and
for the perioperative period
implement therapeutic
7.4 Establishes and maintains a caring relationship interventions to ensure the
delivery of high quality, safe
with the patient and significant others
nursing care to perioperative
10.2 Utilises appropriate mechanisms to
patients.
communicate identified deficiencies
11.2 Contributes to the professional development
of others within the perioperative environment
Graduate Certificate of Nursing Practice (Perioperative) AQF Level 8
Communicate in a clear, accurate
and timely manner to establish
and maintain constructive
professional and therapeutic
relationships consistent with
ACORN Competency Standards for
Perioperative Nurses
Deakin Graduate Learning
Outcomes
3. Digital literacy:
using
technologies to
find, use and
disseminate
information.
AQF Graduate Certificate Descriptor1
AQF Level 8 (Graduate Certificate)
Criteria*
Discipline/ Professional Standards
Skills:
 communication skills to demonstrate an
understanding of theoretical concepts
 communication skills to transfer complex
knowledge and ideas to a variety of
audiences
 specialised technical and creative skills in
a field of highly skilled and/or
professional practice.
Skills: advanced cognitive, technical
and communication skills to select
and apply methods and
technologies to:
 analyse critically, evaluate and
transform information to
complete a range of activities
 analyse, generate and transmit
solutions to complex problems
 transmit knowledge, skills and
ideas to others.
2.2 Functions within the ANMAC and the NHMRC
and health care facility’s ethical guideline
2.4 Functions within the established philosophy,
purpose and objectives of the health care facility
and perioperative service
3.1 Applies the principles of microbiology and
infection control to all activities within the
perioperative environment
6.3 Maintains vigilance in the monitoring of the
patient’s physiological status
Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)
Minimum Standards (relating to
CLOs)
Use appropriate technologies to
locate authorative disciplinespecific information and justify
the selection of this information;
and demonstrate the ability to
evaluate, synthesise and
disseminate the information to
members of the multidisciplinary
health team, and perioperative
patients in an ethical and
professional manner.
Use technology to source, store,
disseminate and manage
knowledge and data to mitigate
error, and support decision
making consistent with ACORN
Competency Standards for
Perioperative Nurses
7.3 Maintains accurate documentation of records
for the perioperative period
11.3 Contributes to the process of nursing
research
4. Critical thinking:
evaluating
information
using critical and
analytical
thinking and
judgment.
Skills:
 cognitive skills to review, analyse,
consolidate, and synthesise knowledge
and identify and provide solutions to
complex problems
 cognitive skills to think critically and to
generate and evaluate complex ideas.
Application of knowledge and skills: will
demonstrate the application of knowledge
and skills:
 to make high-level, independent
judgements in a range of technical or
management functions in varied
specialised contexts
 to initiate, plan, implement and evaluate
broad functions within varied specialised
technical and/or creative contexts.
Skills: advanced cognitive, technical
and communication skills to select
and apply methods and
technologies to:
 analyse critically, evaluate and
transform information to
complete a range of activities
 analyse, generate and transmit
solutions to complex problems.
Application of knowledge and skills:
apply knowledge and skills to
demonstrate autonomy, welldeveloped judgement, adaptability
and responsibility as a practitioner
or learner.
3.1 Applies the principles of microbiology and
infection control to all activities within the
perioperative environment
4.1 Performs a perioperative nursing assessment
and plans nursing care to meet the patient’s
physical, emotional, spiritual and cultural needs
6.3 Maintains vigilance in the monitoring of the
patient’s physiological status
10.1 Identifies and participates in quality
improvement activities relating to all aspects of
perioperative patient care
10.3 Contributes to the formulation,
implementation and periodic revision of quality
improvement activities
10.4 Identifies and participates in risk
management activities relating to all aspects of
perioperative patient care
11.3 Contributes to the process of nursing
research
Graduate Certificate of Nursing Practice (Perioperative) AQF Level 8
Identify, synthesise, analyse and
critically evaluate complex data
from patient and technologicallyderived sources to inform decision
making that delivers safe, high
quality perioperative nursing care
in order to promote optimal
patient outcomes.
Accurately identify, synthesise,
analyse and critically evaluate
complex data from patient and
technologically-derived sources to
inform decision making consistent
with ACORN Competency
Standards for Perioperative Nurses
Deakin Graduate Learning
Outcomes
5. Problem solving:
creating
solutions to
authentic (real
world and illdefined)
problems.
AQF Graduate Certificate Descriptor1
AQF Level 8 (Graduate Certificate)
Criteria*
Discipline/ Professional Standards
Skills:
 cognitive skills to review, analyse,
consolidate, and synthesise knowledge
and identify and provide solutions to
complex problems
 cognitive skills to think critically and to
generate and evaluate complex ideas
 specialised technical and creative skills in
a field of highly skilled and/or
professional practice.
Skills: advanced cognitive,
technical and communication skills
to select and apply methods and
technologies to:
 analyse critically, evaluate and
transform information to
complete a range of activities
 analyse, generated and transmit
solutions to complex problems.
3.5 Applies knowledge of environmental control
procedure
Application of knowledge and skills: will
demonstrate the application of knowledge
and skills:
 to make high level, independent
judgements in a range of technical or
management functions in varied
specialised contexts
 to initiate, plan, implement and evaluate
broad functions within varied specialised
technical and/or creative contexts.
6. Selfmanagement:
working and
learning
independently,
and taking
responsibility for
personal actions.
Application of knowledge and skills: will
demonstrate the application of knowledge
and skills:
 with responsibility and accountability for
personal outputs and all aspects of the
work or function of others within broad
parameters.
Application of knowledge and
skills: apply knowledge and skills to
demonstrate autonomy, welldeveloped judgement, adaptability
and responsibility as a practitioner
or learner.
Application of knowledge and skills:
apply knowledge and skills to
demonstrate autonomy, welldeveloped judgement, adaptability
and responsibility as a practitioner
or learner.
10.1 Identifies and participates in quality
improvement activities relating to all aspects of
perioperative patient care
Minimum Standards (relating to
CLOs)
Effectively apply specialised
nursing knowledge and skills to
routine, complex and illstructured problems in
perioperative settings to achieve
optimal patient outcomes.
Accurately anticipates and averts
potential problems, and responds
appropriately to emergent
problems to manage clinical risk,
promote patient safety and
achieve optimal patient outcomes
consistent with ACORN
Competency Standards for
Perioperative Nurses
Demonstrate personal
autonomy, leadership, clinical
judgement, professionalism,
responsibility, accountability, and
reflection as a perioperative
nurse.
Display self-management
attributes through personal
autonomy, leadership, clinical
judgement , professionalism,
responsibility, accountability,
ongoing professional selfdevelopment and reflection
consistent with ACORN
Competency Standards for
Perioperative Nurses
10.2 Utilises appropriate mechanisms to
communicate identified deficiencies
10.3 Contributes to the formulation,
implementation and periodic revision of quality
improvement activities
10.4 Identifies and participates in risk
management activities relating to all aspects of
perioperative patient care
11.3 Contributes to the process of nursing
research
7.1 Demonstrates effective interpersonal
communication skills
7.2 Utilises effective communication within the
organisation
1.1 Demonstrates knowledge of legal aspects of
perioperative nursing practice
3.2 Applies surgical conscience at all times
11.1 Participates in educational activities both
within and external to the perioperative
environment
Graduate Certificate of Nursing Practice (Perioperative) AQF Level 8
Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)
Deakin Graduate Learning
Outcomes
7. Teamwork:
working and
learning with
others from
different
disciplines and
backgrounds.
AQF Graduate Certificate Descriptor1
AQF Level 8 (Graduate Certificate)
Criteria*
Discipline/ Professional Standards
The AQF is silent on this.
The AQF is silent on this.
5. Plans perioperative nursing care in consultation
with patient, significant others and the
interdisciplinary healthcare team
6. Implements individualised nursing care to
achieve perioperative patient outcomes
9.1 Organises human, physical and financial
resources in collaboration with the perioperative
team
Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)
Establish and maintain
collaborative professional
respectful relationships
demonstrating professionalism,
open communication, leadership,
responsibility and accountability
to the interdisciplinary team,
patients and carers.
Minimum Standards (relating to
CLOs)
Practise effectively within
interdisciplinary perioperative care
teams, to deliver safe, high quality
patient care that incorporates
patient and/or carer preferences
consistent with ACORN
Competency Standards for
Perioperative Nurses
11.2 Contributes to the professional development
of others within the perioperative environment
11.3 Contributes to the process of nursing
research
8. Global
citizenship:
engaging
ethically and
productively in
the professional
context and with
diverse
communities
and cultures in a
global context.
Application of knowledge and skills: will
demonstrate the application of knowledge
and skills:
 with responsibility and accountability for
personal outputs and all aspects of the
work or function of others within broad
parameters.
(Note: the AQF descriptor does not relate
specifically and directly to global citizenship,
however the above mentioned may be
indirectly related to engagement within a
professional context and/or within diverse
communities and cultures by way of its link
to responsibility for all aspects of work or
function of others.)
Graduate Certificate of Nursing Practice (Perioperative) AQF Level 8
Application of knowledge and skills:
apply knowledge and skills to
demonstrate autonomy, welldeveloped judgement, adaptability
and responsibility as a practitioner
or learner.
2.1 Respects and promotes the rights and dignity
of the perioperative patient
Display accountability for, and
sound professional judgement and
2.2 Functions with in the ANMAC and the NHMRC behaviours, that uphold ethical
and legal principles of practice
and health care facility’s ethical guideline
within diverse social, cultural and
2.3 Acts as the patient’s advocate
environmental contexts.
2.4 Functions within the established philosophy,
purpose and objectives of the health care facility
and perioperative service
(Note: the AQF criteria for Level 8
do not relate specifically and
directly to global citizenship,
however the above mentioned
3.5 Applies knowledge of environmental control
criteria may be indirectly related to procedures
ethical engagement via the
reference to ‘responsibility’.)
Practise specialised professional
judgement and behaviours within
diverse social, cultural and
environmental contexts with
consideration for patient
preferences, values and needs
consistent with ACORN
Competency Standards for
Perioperative Nurses