309608 v.3 Master of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner)
MNurs(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 prepares registered nurses for the advanced clinical role of the nurse practitioner. The curriculum provides a solid foundation in the clinical sciences to develop skills in diagnosis, clinical problem-solving, and the quality use of medicines. The concepts of health care safety and quality, clinical leadership, evidence-based practice, and cultural security are integrated throughout the course. Learning experiences include 300 hours of clinical internship, lectures and discussions, clinical skills workshops, and virtual simulation.
Professional Recognition
The delivery of this course is subject to accreditation by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council and the approval of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA). Graduates may be eligible for endorsement as a Nurse Practitioner with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.
Career Opportunities
Graduates registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia as Nurse Practitioners, will be eligible to practice as a Nurse Practitioner in designated areas.
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 plus one year graduate clinical practice (or equivalent) with a course weighted average (CWA) of at least 70 per cent in the bachelor degree. Applicants must be registered as a nurse in Division One of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) and must be able to demonstrate at least four years’ full-time clinical experience. Applicants must provide a detailed CV including education, clinical experience, professional development, and full-time equivalent for each employer. Curtin University requires written acknowledgment that the applicant can complete 300 hours of clinical internship.
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.
In addition to the University’s CRL policy, applicants are required to provide evidence of work experience and educational qualifications that must be completed within the previous seven years (from the date of enrolment). Further information can be found at
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 available via internal and external modes of study and is part-time only. Students are required to use the Internet to support their studies. The internship components of this course ( totalling 75 credits) must be completed in an approved hospital and/or agency.
Course Learning Outcomes
A graduate of this course can:
1. apply clinical knowledge within a framework of nurse practitioner practice with commitment to evidence based practice; demonstrate a high level of clinical proficiency in complex situations
2. apply critical thinking and refection to clinical diagnostic decision making and develop innovative solutions to practice in a healthcare setting
3. critically appraise scientific literature, integrate research findings into nurse practitioner practice and undertake research to advance practice
4. communicate effectively and establish effective collegial relationships with interprofessional teams
5. make informed decisions on use of diagnostic and therapeutic interventions by utilising current technology to inform practice; proactively seek new information and technologies
6. recognise the values intrinsic to nurse practitioner practice; demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning through critical refection, self-monitoring and is able to enhance the professional development of others
7. critiques emerging health policies on a worldwide level; influences healthcare through active participation in policy development, and workforce organisations at state, national and international levels
8. articulates and demonstrates respect for individuals' rights to determine their own journey through episode of healthcare
9. demonstrate a sound understanding of current legislature, requirements of designation, enhanced scope of practice and registration requirements as a nurse practitioner; work in an autonomous and accountable practice framework as a senior member of interprofessional teams; demonstrate high level clinical leadership and management skills
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.
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 Semester 1 | |||||
| 307483 | v.1 | Professional Foundations 561 | 25.0 | ||
| 314012 | v.2 | Nurse Practitioner 560 | 8.0 | 25.0 | |
| 50.0 | |||||
| Year 1 Semester 2 | |||||
| 307484 | v.2 | Advanced Diagnostics 561 | 4.0 | 25.0 | |
| 312195 | v.1 | Pharmacology 522 | 4.0 | 25.0 | |
| 50.0 | |||||
| Year 2 Semester 1 | |||||
| 307053 | v.2 | Inquiry into Quality Health Care 532 | 3.0 | 25.0 | |
| 312169 | v.1 | Pharmacotherapeutics 524 | 3.0 | 25.0 | |
| 50.0 | |||||
| Year 2 Semester 2 | |||||
| 308409 | v.1 | Health Project Preparation 591 | 25.0 | ||
| 312115 | v.3 | Clinical Operational Management 562 | 3.6 | 25.0 | |
| 50.0 | |||||
| Year 3 Semester 1 | |||||
| 307488 | v.2 | Nurse Practitioner Internship 562 | 16.0 | 50.0 | |
| 50.0 | |||||
| Year 3 Semester 2 | |||||
| 301413 | v.3 | Health Contract 590 | 8.0 | 50.0 | |
| 50.0 | |||||
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.
