Master of Nursing
What is this course about?
CSU's Master of Nursing provides registered nurses with an opportunity to build on their undergraduate learning, extend their clinical focus and develop research related skills.
Some aspects of this course are still under review. For more information about course structure and your eligibility for each stream within the Master, please contact 1800 334 733 or submit an online enquiry.
Students may tailor their study to suit particular areas of interest and experience, by electing from areas of specialisation: Chronic and Complex Nursing, Clinical Education, Emergency Nursing, Leadership and Management, Mental Health, Palliative Care, Primary Health Care or Professional Nursing Studies.
Students may also choose to complete 32 points (four subjects) to graduate with a Graduate Certificate in their area of specialisation, or 64 points (eight subjects) to gain a Graduate Diploma in their specialist area.
International students are able to undertake the Clinical Education or Professional Nursing Studies specialisations.
More about the Course structure
Credit
Applicants with five or more years professional nursing experience may receive eight points credit (equivalent to one subject) in recognition of prior learning.
Applicants who have completed an approved Graduate Certificate awarded by The College of Nursing will be granted a credit package of 32 points (equivalent to four subjects) if the subject content and experience is equivalent.
Canadian applicants who have completed a four-year Bachelor of Nursing Science (or equivalent) will be granted a credit package of 32 points (equivalent to four subjects). This will constitute the Professional Nursing Studies specialist strand, allowing these applicants to enter the program at year two.
More information about credit and pathways.
Academic expectations
For each 8 point subject at CSU, students should normally expect to spend between 140-160 hours engaged in the specified learning and assessment activities (such as attending lectures or residential schools, assigned readings, tutorial assistance, individual or group research/study, forum activity, workplace learning, assignments or examinations). The student workload for some subjects may vary from these norms as a result of approved course design.
Students will be assessed on the basis of completed assignments, examinations, workplace learning, or other methods as outlined in specific subject outlines.
Where applicable, students are responsible for travel and accommodation costs involved in workplace learning experiences, or attending residential schools (distance education students).
Expectations relating to academic, workplace learning, time and cost requirements for specific subjects are provided in the subject abstracts and in course materials.
Graduate Diploma of Nursing (with specialisations)
This Graduate Diploma of Nursing will comprise 8 subjects (64 points) and will be offered part-time by distance education over four sessions or two years. During the first year of study students can choose to enrol in subjects in a particular specialty area or choose four elective subjects (32 points). Options available to international students include the professional nursing studies and clinical education strands or choice of four elective subjects. In the second year of the Graduate Diploma all students will enrol in the core 16 point subject NRS531 Critical Inquiry and Evidence Based Nursing Practice. Students choosing the coursework pathway will enrol in two elective subjects, while students choosing the research pathway will be required to enrol in two core subjects HLT505 Research Methods in Health Science A and HLT506 Health Master's Project. Study in these two research subjects will focus the student’s learning on understanding research methodologies, developing research questions, critiquing research literature, undertaking a comprehensive literature review, developing a research proposal and submitting an ethics application.
Master of Nursing (with specialisations)
Students who elect to complete the course and gain the Master of Nursing will have three options. They are:
1. Enrol in four elective subjects (32 points)
OR
2. Undertake a project related to their clinical specialty (16 points) and enrol in two elective subjects (16 points)
OR
3. Enrol in a dissertation subject (32 points) formulate a viable research question and develop a research proposal that will lead to the design, conduct and reporting of original research under supervision, which will contribute to the knowledge base in their discipline.
Graduate Diploma of Nursing (with specialisations) (64 points)
Year 1 (32 points)
Professional Nursing Studies
Students must enrol in three (3) subjects from the following:
BMS511 Processes of Pathology
BMS536 Applied Pharmacology for Nursing Practice
HSM409 Evidence Based Health Care
NRS408 Psychosocial Interventions in Mental Health Nursing 1 (not available to international students)
NRS409 Psychosocial Interventions in Mental Health Nursing 2 (not available to international students)
NRS422 Chronic and Complex Nursing Practice 2
NRS423 Advanced Chronic Care Nursing
NRS516 Advanced Nursing Skills - The Therapeutic Relationship
NRS517 Advanced Nursing Skills - Group Process and Therapy
NRS537 Leadership and Management for the Nurse 1 (16 points) (not available to international students)
HLT539 Foundations of Teaching and Learning in Clinical Education
HLT541 Teaching and Learning in the Clinical Setting
NRS543 Clinical Management in Palliative Care Nursing
NRS544 Cultural Competence in Indigenous Health Care: Implications for Nursing
AND
Students may choose one (1) 8 point subject from the following:
GER401 Choices and Options in Later Life
GER402 Ageing Bodies, Ageing Minds
GER501 Contemporary Issues in Gerontology
HSM402 Human Resource Management
HSM404 Management of Health and Aged Care Services
HSM512 Evaluating Health Services
Clinical Specialty (Emergency Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, Palliative Care Nursing, Chronic and Complex Care Nursing, Primary Health Care)
Students must enrol in one (1) of the following:
NRS421 Chronic and Complex Nursing Practice 1
NRS512 Perspectives of Mental Health Nursing
NRS533 Advancing Emergency Nursing Practice
NRS534 Foundations of Palliative Care Nursing
NRS535 Primary Health Care: A Pathway to Better Health
AND
BMS511 Processes of Pathology
BMS536 Applied Pharmacology for Nursing Practice
NRS532 Health Assessment for Advancing Nursing Practice
Nursing Leadership and Management
Students must enrol in the following 16 point subjects:
NRS537 Leadership and Management for the Nurse 1
NRS538 Leadership and Management for the Nurse 2
Clinical Education
Students must enrol in the following subjects:
HLT539 Foundations of Teaching and Learning in Clinical Education
HLT540 Assessment in Clinical Education
HLT541 Teaching and Learning in the Clinical Setting
HLT542 Professional Practice in Clinical Education
Year 2 (32 points)
Student must enrol in the following:
NRS531 Critical Inquiry and Evidence Based Nursing Practice (16 points)
AND
Two (2) restricted 8 point elective subjects
OR
HLT505 Research Methods in Health Science A
HLT506 Health Master's Proposal
Master of Nursing Coursework Pathway (96 points)
Students may enrol in four (4) 8 point restricted elective subjects
OR
HLT507 Health Master's Project (16 point)
AND
Two (2) 8 point restricted elective subjects
Master of Nursing Research Pathway (96 points)
Students must enrol in:
HLT509 Health Master's Dissertation (32 points)
Restricted Electives
BMS536 Applied Pharmacology for Nursing Practice (8 point)
GER401 Choices and Options in Later Life (8 point)
GER402 Ageing Bodies, Ageing Minds (8 point)
GER501 Contemporary Issues in Gerontology (8 point)
HSM402 Human Resource Management
HSM404 Management of Health and Aged Care Services
HSM409 Evidence Based Health Care Delivery (8 point)
HSM512 Evaluating Health Services
NRS408 Psychosocial Interventions in Mental Health Nursing 1 (8 point)
NRS409 Psychosocial Interventions in Mental Health Nursing 2 (8 Point)
NRS420 Perspectives on Managing Chronic and Complex Conditions (8 point)
NRS421 Chronic and Complex Nursing Practice 1 (8 point) (Not offered for International students)
NRS422 Chronic and Complex Nursing Practice 2 (8 point)
NRS423 Advanced Chronic Care Nursing Practice (8 point)
NRS512 Perspectives in Mental Health Nursing (8 point) (Not offered for international students)
NRS516 Advanced Nursing Skills - The Therapeutic Relationship
NRS517 Advanced Nursing Skills - Group Process and Therapy
NRS532 Health Assessment for Advancing Nursing Practice (8 point) (Not offered for International students)
NRS533 Advancing Emergency Nursing Practice (8 point) (Not for international students)
NRS534 Foundations of Palliative Care Nursing (8 point) (Not for International students)
NRS535 Primary Health Care: A Pathway to Better Health (8 point) (Not for international students)
NRS537 Leadership and Management for the Nurse 1 (16 point) (Not offered for international students)
NRS538 Leadership and Management for the Nurse 2 (16 point) (Not offered for international students)
HLT539 Foundations of Teaching and Learning in the Clinical Setting (8 point)
HLT540 Assessment in Clinical Education (8 point)
HLT541 Teaching and Learning in the Clinical Setting (8 point)
HLT542 Professional Practice in Clinical Education (8 point)
NRS543 Clinical Management in Palliative Care Nursing (16 point)
NRS544 Cultural Competence in Indigenous Health Care: Implications for Nursing Practice (8 point)
In order for students to graduate with the specialisations listed below, students must complete:
- 32 points of coursework subjects in the specific specialist strand; either a 16 point project or a 32 point dissertation on a topic relevant to the specialisation.
Subjects where residential schools are a compulsory requirement are not available to international students.
The current specialisations are:
- Master of Nursing (Professional Nursing Studies)
- Master of Nursing (Emergency Care Nursing)
- Master of Nursing (Mental Health Nursing)
- Master of Nursing (Palliative Care Nursing)
- Master of Nursing (Chronic Care Nursing Practice)
- Master of Nursing (Primary Health Care)
- Master of Nursing (Leadership and Management)
- Master of Nursing (Clinical Education)
Students not meeting the specialisation requirements will graduate with a Master of Nursing.
Enrolment pattern
By part-time study
YEAR 1
Professional Nursing Studies Specialisation
Session 1 (30)
Restricted Elective
Restricted Elective
Session 2 (60)
Restricted Elective
Restricted Elective
Emergency Nursing Specialisation
Session 1 (30)
BMS511 Processes of Pathology
NRS533 Advancing Emergency Care Nursing Practice
Session 2 (60)
BMS536 Applied Pharmacology for Nursing Practice
NRS532 Health Assessment for Advancing Nursing Practice
Mental Health Nursing Specialisation
Session 1 (30)
BMS511 Processes of Pathology
NRS512 Perspectives in Mental Health Nursing
Session 2 (60)
BMS536 Applied Pharmacology for Nursing Practice
NRS532 Health Assessment for Advancing Nursing Practice
Palliative Care Nursing Specialisation
Session 1 (30)
BMS511 Processes of Pathology
NRS534 Foundations of Palliative Care Nursing
Session 2 (60)
BMS536 Applied Pharmacology for Nursing Practice
NRS532 Health Assessment for Advancing Nursing Practice
Chronic and Complex Nursing Specialisation
Session 1 (30)
BMS511 Processes of Pathology
NRS421 Chronic and Complex Nursing Practice 1
Session 2 (60)
BMS536 Applied Pharmacology for Nursing Practice
NRS532 Health Assessment for Advancing Nursing Practice
Primary Health Care Specialisation
Session 1 (30)
BMS511 Processes of Pathology
NRS535 Primary Health Care: A Pathway to Better Health
Session 2 (60)
BMS536 Applied Pharmacology for Nursing Practice
NRS532 Health Assessment for Advancing Nursing Practice
Leadership and Management
Session 1 (30)
NRS537 Leadership and Management for the Nurse 1 (16 points)
Session 2 (60)
NRS538 Leadership and Management for the Nurse 2 (16 points)
Clinical Education
Session 1 (30)
HLT539 Foundations of Teaching and Learning in Clinical Education
HLT540 Assessment in Clinical Education
Session 2 (60)
HLT541 Teaching and Learning in the Clinical Setting
HLT542 Professional Practice in Clinical Education
YEAR 2
Session 3 (30)
NRS531 Critical Inquiry and Evidence Based Nursing Practice (16 points)
Session 4 (60)
Option 1
Elective
Elective
Option 2
HLT505 Research Methods in Health Science A
HLT506 Health Master's Proposal
Students may opt to exit at this point with the qualification Postgraduate Diploma of Nursing (with specialisations)
YEAR 3
Option 1 (Course Work)
Session 5 (30)
Elective
Elective
Session 6 (60)
Elective
Elective
Option 2 (Masters Project)
Session 5 (30)
HLT508 Health Master's Project (16 points) Commenced
Elective
Session 6 (60)
HLT508 Health Master's Project (16 points) Completed
Elective
Option 3 (Research)
Session 5 (30)
HLT509 Masters Dissertation (32 points) Commenced
Session 6 (60)
HLT509 Master's Dissertation (32 Points) Completed
Admission requirements
Applicants for this course must hold a Bachelor of Nursing or equivalent, or professional qualification which leads to registration as a Registered Nurse Division 1 with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
English language proficiency
The University has minimum requirements for English language proficiency prior to entry to our courses. Some courses also have a requirement for a higher entry or exit level of English proficiency. More information on English language requirements.
Internet access
CSU places great emphasis on services to its students. It is a leader in the provision of online services and, in particular, the use of the internet in the support of teaching, administration and communications with students.
The online environment is so integrated into all aspects of student life and the learning experience at CSU that the University now assumes that all on campus and distance education students at CSU will have ongoing access to an internet connected computer capable of communicating with CSU online systems.
Students enrolled in Information Technology subjects (i.e. with an ITC subject code) may be required to have additional hardware and/or software that is deemed essential for the completion of the learning activities in that subject.
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This course is available to commence study in
Session 1; Session 2
International Students
Apply online
Canadian students - CSHR
Other international students - JSHQ
Recruitment agent
Contact a Recruitment agent in your country who can answer your questions about CSU as well as help with the student visa application process.
More information:
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Prospective Student Inquiries
Australian campus business hours are Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm, Australian Eastern Time (GMT +10).
info.csu can provide support and guidance to prospective students on everything you need to know on the University, courses, fees, accommodation, etc.
within Australia 1800 334 733
International + 61 2 6338 6077 Fax (02) 6338 6001
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