Rapid Upskilling in High Dependency & Critical Care for Registered Nurses
SURGE Critical Care - Specialised Upskilling and RN Growth through Education in Critical Care
SURGE - Critical Care provides education for Registered Nurses about the necessary minimum knowledge and skills required to work in High Dependency or Critical Care settings, such as Intensive Care Units (ICU).
The education is available online and builds on previous knowledge, skills and experience in preparation for transitioning to High Dependency Units (HDU) and Critical Care wards.
This education is brought to you by Critical Care Education Services and Medcast.
Project Outcomes
The following is a summary of the key outcomes of the evaluation of the project.
The full evaluation report has been published on the department’s website and can be viewed here.
Do you need refresher training or to expand your workforce capacity?
We can help your facility prepare for the expected demand in ICU and HDU beds.
For example, Medcast can mobilise the list of nurses that did the initial education; provide refresher education to re-establish their confidence to redeploy; and reinforce education and training with current ICU and HDU staff. We can also assist you to rapidly expand your pool of nurses that can be deployed to ICU and HDU.
If you would like to discuss any of these options, please contact us.
Ongoing Access to Courseware
SURGE Ongoing Access Bundle
If you completed either of the SURGE Critical Care or High Dependency courses you have the opportunity for exclusive ongoing access to the course content for a period of 12 months.
Enrol today to refresh your knowledge and you will also will have access to a series of live critical care revision webinars and a selection of other topics not included in the original courses.
READ MORECourses
High Dependency Nursing
EnrolOverview
This course is designed to provide nurses with essential skills relating to the assessment and management of patients who are classified as being highly dependent.
Audience
RNs currently working on general wards requiring upskilling to enable them to work in HDU or Critical Care area.
Duration
13 hours
Units
- Cardiac - Electrocardiography
- Cardiac - Physiology
- Cardiac - Shock States
- Cardiac - Arrhythmias
- Cardiac - Acute Coronary Syndromes
- Fluid & Electrolyte Imbalances
- The Infected Patient
- Monitoring - Pulse oximetry, arterial lines, central lines
- Respiratory - assessment and management
Critical Care Nursing
EnrolOverview
This course is designed to provide nurses with current knowledge and skills to be applied to any Critical Care setting.
Audience
RNs required to work in critical care environments such as Emergency Departments, Intensive Care Units, High Dependency Units, Cardiac Care Units, Interventional Radiology Units (e.g. Cath Labs) and Peri-Anaesthesia Units.
Duration
20 hours
Units
- Fundamental Cardiac Physiology
- Cardiovascular Pathophysiology - Patient with Chest Pain
- Cardiovascular Pathophysiology - Shock States
- Respiratory Physiology
- Monitoring Techniques for the critically ill patient
- Respiratory - Assessment & mechanical ventilation
- Respiratory - Airway management
- Renal
- Neurological disorders
- Endocrine & Metabolic
Critical Care and High Dependency Course Bundle
EnrolOverview
This course will provide discounted access to the Critical Care and High Dependency plus an additional 5 hours of online modules including topics from a range of our other courses.
Audience
RNs required to work in critical care environments such as Emergency Departments, Intensive Care Units, High Dependency Units, Cardiac Care Units, Interventional Radiology Units (e.g. Cath Labs) and Peri-Anaesthesia Units.
Duration
50 hours
Medcast Medical Education Team
From 1 Nov 2025, the Australian government is making important changes with the Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program (BBPIP). This FastTrack is a concise summary of how to make the most of the BBPIP, from registration, eligibility considerations, and a step-by-step approach to preparing your practice for the changes.
PRECISE Education Team
Explore the PRECISE project and how genomics is shaping general practice, with insights on reproductive screening, general genetic testing, and practical tools to support GPs in everyday care.
Medcast Medical Education Team
Two of the four core palliative care medicines are clonazepam and haloperidol, used respectively to manage anxiety and emesis in end-of-life patients. This FastTrack highlights the role of the GP in treating these two common symptoms, focusing on pharmacological strategies. 30mins each of RP and EA CPD available with the quiz.