309608 v.2 Master of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner)
MNurs(Curtin)
This course is not available to International Onshore Students on Student Visas
Introduction
This course aims to prepare registered nurses to function autonomously and collaboratively in the advanced and extended clinical role of nurse practitioner. The curriculum has a broad scope for relevance and utility, yet has a balance between generic and specific content designed to develop higher-level clinical knowledge and skills necessary for nurse practitioner practice. To facilitate Nurse Practitioner role development, the curriculum includes didactic, problem based learning opportunities, and clinical education through a preceptored clinical internship. The key elements of the curriculum are: professional accountability; clinical leadership; competence to practice; evidence-based practice; critical thinking; diagnostic reasoning; clinical decision making and the quality use of medicines. Integral to and incorporated throughout the curriculum is the concept of cultural security.
Course Entry Requirements/Requisites
A Bachelor of Science (Nursing) or equivalent plus one year graduate clinical practice (or equivalent) with a course weighted average (CWA) of at least 65 per cent in the bachelor degree, or a CWA of 70 per cent in the Bachelor degree (without graduate clinical practice or equivalent). Applicants must be Registered as a Nurse in Division One of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and must have completed a minimum of four years full time equivalent practice in their selected clinical specialisation. Registered nurses who do not hold a bachelor degree may gain entry to the course through an alternate mode of entry, which considers the applicant's current clinical and educational experience and professional development. Formal preparation in the selected clinical specialisation is highly desirable.
Specific Requirements
Applicants for this course should refer to the Communicable Diseases and Criminal Record Screening and Clearance Section of this publication.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Applications for recognition of prior learning are assessed on an individual basis.
Duration and Availability
This fee-paying course is six semesters part-time study and is expected to take three years to complete. Intake for the course is available each semester.
Course Organisation
This course has a broad scope for relevance and practicality, yet has a balance of generic and specific content. Students explore theoretical and clinical practice components of the role of nurse practitioners, and study advanced practice across a range of clinical applications. Their studies particularly focus on professional accountability, competency to practise, evidence-based practice, critical thinking, diagnostic reasoning, clinical decision making and the quality use of medicines. In the second semester, students complete a placement under the supervision of a nurse practitioner in a hospital or agency. The final semester is devoted to two individual health projects under the guidance of Curtin’s experienced staff. This course is available in internally (face to face) and externally (online) and is part-time only. Students are required to use the Internet to support their studies. The internship component (50 credits) of this course must be completed in an approved hospital and/or agencies. All students must successfully complete all units in the course prior to undertaking Health Project 691 and Health Project 692.
Professional Recognition
Graduates will be eligible to apply for endorsement as a Nurse Practitioner with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
Career Opportunities
Graduates will be eligible to apply for endorsement as a nurse practitioner with the Australian Health practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
Additional Course Expenses
Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks, readers and other essential study materials.
Course Structure Disclaimer
Curtin University reserves the right to alter the internal composition of any course to ensure learning outcomes retain maximum relevance. Any changes to the internal composition of a course will protect the right of students to complete the course within the normal timeframe and will not result in additional cost to students through a requirement to undertake additional units.
| Course Structure | Hrs/Wk | Credit | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 Semester 1 | |||||
| 307483 | v.1 | Professional Foundations 561 | 3.0 | 25.0 | |
| 312195 | v.1 | Pharmacology 522 | 4.0 | 25.0 | |
| 50.0 | |||||
| Year 1 Semester 2 | |||||
| 307484 | v.2 | Advanced Diagnostics 561 | 4.0 | 25.0 | |
| 312169 | v.1 | Pharmacotherapeutics 524 | 3.0 | 25.0 | |
| 50.0 | |||||
| Year 2 Semester 1 | |||||
| 311225 | v.1 | Clinical Leadership 561 | 3.0 | 25.0 | |
| 4712 | v.3 | Qualitative Methods in Health Research 582 | 4.0 | 25.0 | |
| OR | |||||
| 13152 | v.3 | Health Research Methods 681 | 4.0 | 25.0 | |
| OR | |||||
| 301950 | v.4 | Research and Evaluation in International Health 600 | 8.0 | 25.0 | |
| 50.0 | |||||
| Year 2 Semester 2 | |||||
| 307488 | v.1 | Nurse Practitioner Internship 562 | 4.0 | 50.0 | |
| 50.0 | |||||
| Year 3 Semester 1 | |||||
| 310475 | v.1 | Health Project 691 | 20.0 | 50.0 | |
| 50.0 | |||||
| Year 3 Semester 2 | |||||
| 310476 | v.1 | Health Project 692 | 20.0 | 50.0 | |
| 50.0 | |||||
Availability
| Year | Location | Period | All* | Internal | Partially Online Internal^ | External | Fully Online# |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Bentley Campus | Semester 1 | Y | Y | |||
| 2012 | Bentley Campus | Semester 2 | Y |
The information displayed above refers to study periods and locations where the course is available for first time entry. Students are normally only offered or admitted to a course once.
* The course itself may not be available either solely internally or externally but individual units may be offered in either or both of those modes. Prospective students should contact the Course Coordinator for further information.
^ Course and associated units are offered in this mode permitting International Onshore student enrolment.
# Course and associated units are offered in this online only mode and DO NOT permit International Onshore student enrolment.
