Gerontological Nursing Competencies (GNCs)

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Gerontological Nursing Competencies (GNCs)

Registered Nurses

Nurse Practitioners

Gerontological Nursing Competencies (GNCs)

Aged Care Transition to Practice (ACTTP) program

Funded by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, the GNCs ACTTP program is guiding registered nurses in aged care, improving their confidence and competence and encouraging them to pursue aged care nursing practice.

Delivery method

Online supported by virtual workshops

Duration

6 months (24 weeks)

Upcoming dates

04 February 2026

View all dates

Cost

$0 fully funded places available until 2027 to eligible nurses

$2,500 standard paid place

What is the GNCs?

The GNCs ACTTP program offers evidence-based short courses for registered nurses (RNs) working with older people. By the end of the program, RNs gain specialised gerontological nursing knowledge and skills to work effectively with older people and their families.


The program consists of two 6-month courses offered in a sequential pathway: 

  1. GNCs Essentials
  2. GNCs Enhanced Leadership


The courses are delivered through live, interactive online workshops, supported by activities in the online learning platform. Every learner is paired with an expert mentor from practice who provides support and guidance throughout the course.


The outcome of completing the GNCs program is a comprehensive portfolio of evidence demonstrating an Essential or Enhanced level of specialist practice.  The evidence collected as part of the portfolio is a combination of work-based and professional development activities.

Program development

The GNCs courses were first launched in 2019 after a three-year research project to create the core competencies and course content. The GNCs courses focus on 11 core competencies to provide person-centered care:

1

Living well for older people across communities and groups

2

Maximising health outcomes

3

Effective communication

4

Facilitating transitions in care

5

Facilitating choices within legal and ethical frameworks

6

Partnering with family carers

7

Promoting mental health and psychological well-being

8

Evidence-based dementia care

9

Pain assessment and optimal pain management

10

Providing palliative care

11

Enabling access to technology

What will you gain?

  • The knowledge and skills required to work effectively with older people and their families.
  • A portfolio of evidence about your essential or enhanced level of specialist practice.
  • A mentor to support and guide you
  • A career pathway for new graduates, early career and experienced Registered Nurses.
  • Qualify for advanced standing or credit towards a postgraduate qualification (for those participants completing their portfolios)
  • Eligible for Continuing Professional Development points

GNCs Learner:

"Without this course and a better understanding of gerontological nursing, I wouldn't have been as confident to step up into that higher role."

GNCs Mentor:

"I was drawn to apply for the GNC program… because I believe in what the program does and I want to invest in the future of aged care clinicians."

GNCs Learner:

"A hundred percent the Essential course helped me to develop my knowledge on aged care and also I'm looking forward for the Enhanced course to develop more on leadership."

GNCs Mentor:

"Becoming a mentor feels like a chance to give back, to share what I’ve learned, and to keep growing through the stories and insights of others."

What will you learn?

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  1. Identify and apply the GNCs core competencies and domains of practice as they relate to aged care contexts. 
  2. Discuss expectations and experiences of mentoring to establish an effective mentoring partnership. 
  3. Reflect on current gerontological nursing competencies in order to identify areas for practice development. 
  4. Formulate an action plan to develop GNC competencies. 
  5. Generate a range of evidence to reflect learning and development of GNC competencies. 
  6. Create a professional portfolio of evidence to demonstrate competence as a specialist gerontological nurse. 

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  1. Identify and apply the GNCs core competencies and domains of practice as they relate to aged care contexts. 
  2. Discuss expectations and experiences of mentoring to establish an effective mentoring partnership. 
  3. Discuss the attributes of effective clinical leaders in contemporary aged care. 
  4. Formulate an action plan to develop GNC competencies. 
  5. Analyse the major components of clinical governance and the effect these have on aged care practice and reform. 
  6. Consider factors that act as a stimulus for change, resistance to change and successful change in aged care. 
  7. Examine the key theories, methods and skills that have been found to enable continuous quality improvement in aged care contexts. 
  8. Determine relevant and contemporary techniques and tools for analysing, reporting and managing error in aged care. 
  9. Generate a range of evidence to reflect learning and development of GNC competencies. 
  10. Create a professional portfolio of evidence to demonstrate competence as a specialist gerontological nurse. 

Who can apply?

  1. Registered nurses working with older people who want to build upon their clinical and leadership skills in the aged care sector. 
  2. Nurse practitioners and virtual e-Health nurses working with older people.
  3. Aged care providers looking to upskill their nursing workforce. 

Who is eligible for a free fully funded place?

The GNCs courses have received funding from the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing to provide free fully funded places to:

  1. New graduate registered nurses working in residential and community aged care. 
  2. Experienced registered nurses new to aged care (2 years or less). 
  3. Registered nurses working in aged care from overseas who are newly practicing in Australia (2 years or less). 
  4. Nurse Practitioners and e-Health nurses.
  5. First Nations registered nurses new to aged care (2 years or less). 

Upcoming dates

All dates listed are provisional and are subject to change without prior notice. We recommend contacting us to confirm dates.

2026

COURSE COHORT START DATE STATUS
GNCs Essentials SUM26A Thu, 04 Feb 2026 Open - Register now
GNCs Enhanced Leadership AUT26A Thu, 19 Mar 2026 Open - Register now
GNCs Essentials AUT26B Wed, 06 May 2026 Upcoming
GNCs Essentials AUT26C Wed, 03 Jun 2026 Upcoming
GNCs Essentials WIN26A Wed, 01 Jul 2026 Upcoming
GNCs Essentials WIN26B Wed, 05 Aug 2026 Upcoming
GNCs Essentials WIN26C Wed, 26 Aug 2026 Closed
GNCs Essentials SPR26A Wed, 07 Oct 2026 Upcoming
GNCs Enhanced Leadership SPR26B Thu, 29 Oct 2026 Upcoming

Awards & recognition

Best Talent Development Program 2023

The Gerontological Nursing Competencies program was awarded Winner of the Best Talent Development Program at the OpenLearning Awards 2023.

Council of Deans of Nursing and Midwifery (CDNM)

The Gerontological Nursing Competencies program has received an official commendation from Council of Deans of Nursing and Midwifery (CDNM).

How do I apply?

Registered Nurses

Enhance your skills and knowledge in gerontological nursing through the guidance of an experienced mentor.

Organisations

Provide your registered nurses with an evidence-based program to enhance their knowledge and skills in gerontological nursing. 

Mentors

Help develop the next generation of aged care nurses by providing guidance and support to learners.

Questions?

The GNCs team is here to help.



Call us: +61 7 5459 4592 

Email us: gnc-enquiries@usc.edu.au