As a student undertaking a blended model of learning, you’ll enjoy the flexibility of online study as well as the rich benefits of face-to-face work-integrated learning.

The clinical component of the course is undertaken at your employing hospital or health care service, providing a convenient and supportive environment to allow you to develop and apply essential knowledge and skills in caring for people affected by cancer as an advanced beginner specialist cancer nurse.

As a student of the University of Melbourne, you will have access to the best minds and a vast professional network. The course facilitates close engagement with academics and experts, and you will develop and share knowledge among a dynamic group of peers – both in-person and online.

We ensure your learning experience is high-quality and accessible, with support available at every step of the way. Throughout the online component of this course you will utilise a range of innovative technologies, including:

• Webinars
• Videos
• Audio recordings
• Podcasts
• Articles
• Textbooks, and
• Discussion forums.

High-level student support

You will receive a high level of administrative, technical and academic support from your initial expression of interest in the course, through to your graduation. Don’t be surprised if you learn our student support team members by name – they are dedicated, personal and friendly and they understand that every student experience is unique. If a challenge arises, they’ll do everything in their power to assist you so that you can continue to have an excellent learning experience.

Student support consultants can assist with:

• Enrolment and subject assistance
• Administrative logistics and fee options
• Technical support
• Online learning skills and workload management, and
• Special circumstances.

Polly Dufton

Polly Dufton is the Course Coordinator for the Graduate Certificate in Cancer Nursing. Polly has specialised in cancer for over 10 years. She works both clinically as a SURC Clinical Nurse Consultant, as well as a Lecturer in Cancer Nursing. Polly is currently completing her PhD exploring why people affected by cancer present to the Emergency Department after receiving systemic anti-cancer therapy. Polly is passionate about evidence-based practice, and teaching nurses how to find and implement evidence into practice as well as evaluate care provided. Clinically, Polly is passionate about patient assessment and therapeutic communication. Polly believes that by merging communication skills with clinical nursing skills, specialist cancer nurses are able to deliver exceptional patient-centred care.

TREVOR SAUNDERS

Trevor Saunders is the Course Coordinator for the Graduate Certificate in Cancer Nursing and the Subject Coordinator for several subjects, including Foundations in Cancer Nursing. Trevor has over 25 years of experience as a specialist cancer nursing, having worked predominantly in haematology oncology and autologous stem cell transplantation nursing, completing a Master of Nursing minor thesis exploring how people with haematological cancers cope with febrile neutropenia. Also a senior clinical nurse educator at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre for more than 10 years, Trevor led the team of specialist cancer nurses who developed and launched the Graduate Certificate in Cancer Nursing course in 2020. He has a keen interest in clinical practice development and advancing nursing practice and enjoys sharing his passion for the challenges and rewards of working in cancer nursing.