Critical care graduate diploma: nursing students' needs identified in evaluation.

In 1993 a Graduate Diploma in Critical Care Nursing was developed by the Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences Griffith University--Gold Coast Campus, in collaboration with hospitals in the South Coast and Brisbane regions of Queensland and the Queensland Nurses Union of Employees. An independent evaluation of this 1-year full-time course identified several issues which should be considered when planning courses of this type. Student characteristics varied, and most gained entry into this course on the basis of prior experience. Many students lacked such 'hardware' skills as library access, computing and study ability. By the end of the course, students perceived that their prospects for career advancement were enhanced by the knowledge and skills gained from the course and that they had demonstrated professional development. Students emphasised the need for a strong focus on the clinical component of the course. Planning for specialty education should include comprehensive induction programs which provide opportunities to develop 'hardware' skills, and special attention must be paid to the clinical components.