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Curtin University
Courses Handbook 2014

This handbook contains information for courses and units at Curtin in 2014.
Information for the previous year's courses and units is available at Courses Handbook 2013.

151704 v.3 Master of Clinical Nursing

MClinNurs(Curtin)

This course is not available to International Onshore Students on Student Visas



Course Overview

Master degrees (coursework) prepare students to apply advanced knowledge for professional practice, scholarship and further learning corresponding to AQF level 9 qualifications.


This course, with specialist streams in Intensive Critical Care Nursing, Coronary Care Nursing, High Dependency Nursing, Paediatric Intensive Care Nursing, Emergency Nursing, Orthopaedic Nursing, Perianaesthesia Nursing, Acute Care Nursing, Perioperative Nursing and Neonatal Nursing, is designed to provide the theoretical foundations of nursing science, together with the clinical knowledge and skills associated with the major stream of the course. A significant component of the course is conducted in a health care institution. It focuses on the development of clinical leadership, promotion and integration of evidence-based nursing practice in each of the streams to foster the development of graduates consistent with the profile of the nurse specialist, offering the advanced-level nurse further clinical skills and an opportunity to extend career options. It also provides the foundation for professional doctoral studies.


Career Opportunities

Many graduates achieve promotional positions in clinical fields such as clinical nurse and clinical nurse specialist. This course also provides the foundation for professional doctoral studies.


Additional Course Expenses

Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks and other essential study materials.



Course Entry and Completion Details

Applicants are required to meet University academic and English language entry standards; details are provided at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au. Subject to the duration of the course applicants usually require a bachelor degree or equivalent (and may require relevant work experience), bachelor honours degree, graduate certificate or graduate diploma.


Specifically applicants require a Bachelor of Science (Nursing) or equivalent or a hospital-based diploma and registration as a comprehensive or general nurse in Division One with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA). Students should also have at least 12 months experience in a specialist area of practice. General and comprehensive nurses registered in Division One with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) without an undergraduate degree will be considered. Students must be concurrently employed in an approved area, working between 18 and 24 hours per week.


Credit for Recognised Learning

Applications for credit towards a course are assessed on an individual basis. Credit reduces the amount of learning required to complete the course and may be granted for formal education qualifications, non-formal learning from non-award programs of study and informal learning through work experiences. Further information can be found at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au.


Consideration will be given to appropriate clinical experiences, industry-based programs, short courses, formal university programs or other forms of continuing education.


Intermediate Awards

A student who has successfully completed the requirements of an approved intermediate award may apply for graduation in that award subject to approval of Head of School/Department. Fees apply. Intermediate awards approved for this course:


Graduate Certificate in Clinical Nursing; Graduate Diploma in Clinical Nursing.


Pathway to Further Study

Graduates may qualify for entry to doctoral degrees. For further details, see the University website http://curtin.edu.au.


Course Entry/Completion Note

Applicants for this course should refer to the Communicable Diseases and Criminal Record Screening and Clearance section of the faculty website.



Course Organisation

Master degrees (coursework) contain a series of units in a specialised area of study which may include compulsory (core), optional or elective units to cater for student preferences. They may also contain a range of majors/streams for students to choose from.


This course is designed to develop specialist practice with a focus on clinical leadership, promotion and integration of evidence-based nursing. It has specialist streams in critical care nursing (intensive care, coronary care, high dependency, paediatric intensive care) neonatal nursing, emergency nursing, acute care nursing, orthopaedic nursing, perianaesthesia nursing and perioperative nursing is designed to develop specialist practice with a focus on clinical leadership, promotion and integration of evidence-based nursing. The course emphasis is on developing graduates consistent with the profile of the specialist nurse. This program is delivered in conjunction with clinical partners such as Royal Perth Hospital, Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and King Edward Memorial Hospital.


Course Learning Outcomes

A graduate of this course can:

1. apply specialty nursing principles to clinical practice; demonstrate competency at a level in accordance with specialty competency standards

2. use an evidenced based approach to clinical decision making; critically think using reflective practice. Recognise own abilities and level of professional competence

3. locate, extract and interpret relevant evidence and scientific literature; evaluate the evidence to inform decision making in specialty practice

4. employ the skills of effective communication to guide and achieve optimal outcomes; communicate accurately and effectively with individuals, groups and the healthcare team; utilise appropriate methods of communicating information within a legal and ethical framework

5. effectively anticipate, plan for and use technology applications relevant to specialty practice. Manage resources to optimise delivery of care

6. take responsibility for own learning and professional development in specialty environment; act to enhance the professional development of others

7. incorporate relevant best practice standards / evidence into specialty practice. Recognise key issues in specialty practice

8. demonstrate understanding and respect for individual human rights and cultural diversity

9. work professionally in specialty practice demonstrating leadership and independence as a nurse clinician; acts as a positive role model to peers and other members of the healthcare team


Duration and Availability

This fee-paying course is the equivalent to three semesters' full-time study, but can only be undertaken on a part–time basis, given the requirement for concurrent employment in the relevant specialty area. Most units are available externally. It is recommended students undertake two units of study per semester, in internal or external (online) study modes. This is done to accommodate the employment requirements in the relevant specialty area necessary to achieve specialist clinical competence.


Location and delivery Mode


Year Location Period All* Internal Partially Online Internal^ External Fully Online#
2014 Bentley Campus Semester 1   Y      
2014 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.




Course Structure Hrs/Wk Credit
Year 1
311502 v.1   Perioperative Nursing Stream (Master of Clinical Nursing) 300.0
  OR  
311228 v.2   Orthopaedic Nursing Stream (Master of Clinical Nursing) 300.0
  OR  
311230 v.2   Acute Care Nursing Stream (Master of Clinical Nursing) 300.0
  OR  
311229 v.2   Perianaesthesia Nursing Stream (Master of Clinical Nursing) 300.0
  OR  
312672 v.1   Coronary Care Nursing Stream (Master of Clinical Nursing) 300.0
  OR  
311503 v.1   Neonatal Nursing Stream (Master of Clinical Nursing) 300.0
  OR  
312673 v.1   High Dependency Nursing Stream (Master of Clinical Nursing) 300.0
  OR  
311227 v.1   Emergency Nursing Stream (Master of Clinical Nursing) 300.0
  OR  
312674 v.1   Paediatric Intensive Care Nursing Stream (Master of Clinical Nursing) 300.0
  OR  
311226 v.2   Intensive Care Nursing Stream (Master of Clinical Nursing) 300.0
  300.0



Further Information

For more information about the course, please contact the Faculty of Health Sciences on telephone (08) 9266 1000, email futurestudents@health.curtin.edu.au, or visit our website: http://healthsciences.curtin.edu.au


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.




Handbook Disclaimer

The online handbook is the repository of Curtin University of Technology (“Curtin”) course information. While Curtin makes all reasonable endeavors to keep its online courses handbook up-to-date, information within this website is subject to change from time to time. Curtin reserves the right to change the contents and/or the method of assessment, to change or alter tuition fees of any unit of study, to withdraw/any unit of study or program which it offers, to impose limitations on enrolment in any unit or program, and/or to vary arrangements for any program without notification via the website.

For course overviews and enrolment information please visit our future students website.