313720 v.1 Master of Nursing Practice

Introduction

The Master of Nursing Practice is two year coursework program leading to eligibility for registration as a nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. The two year course comprises of four semesters. The course provides a comprehensive program of study involving a diverse range of simulated practice and fieldwork, interprofessional learning, contemporary blended learning and advanced clinical skill development. The course emphasises the close integration of evidence based theory and clinical practice. Theory content is comprehensive and includes the physical, biological, psychological and social sciences.

Course Entry Requirements

All applicants must hold a recognised Bachelor degree or equivalent and have a demonstrated academic ability at the undergraduate and/or postgraduate level. Essential pre requisites include completion of a human biology related unit at tertiary level. Students who have not completed tertiary units in the above mentioned areas will be able to study these unit(s) through the 313696 Health Sciences Graduate Entry Foundation courses to study the required prerequisite unit.

Specific Requirements

Applicants will be required to have completed an application for postgraduate coursework degree form and provide certified copies of academic transcripts and a detailed curriculum vitae. Criminal record and health screening must be obtained prior to students entering any clinical placement. More information is available in the Curtin Handbook http://handbook.curtin.edu.au Applicants are required to successfully complete a Senior First Aid Certificate or equivalent by the completion of the first semester of the course. Manual handling competency is a requirement for the course; training will be necessary in the first year of the course.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of prior learning will be assessed on an individual basis.

Duration and Availability

This course is will commence course review and re-accreditation, therefore it is unavailable between Semester 2, 2012 and Semester 1, 2013. The course is taken over two years of full-time study or equivalent part-time, Australian citizens and permanent residents may have the choice of full-time or part-time study. International students studying in Australia on a student visa are required to undertake a full-time internal study load.

Course Organisation

This graduate entry masters degree course emphasises the close integration of evidence based theory and clinical practice. Students’ theoretical learning is supported by extensive clinical practice under the guidance of registered nurses. Students will be involved in supervised practice by registered nurses when providing care of individuals/families/groups; all clinical practice is appropriate to the level of academic preparation.

Professional Recognition

This course has been designed to meet the regulations of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. Students who successfully complete the course requirements are eligible for recommendation by the Head of School to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia for registration as Division 1 comprehensive registered nurses. Registration is subject to meeting all requirements of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. To meet the registration requirements of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia students are expected to complete the course within 5 years. Failure to complete the course in the allocated time period may necessitate undertaking additional units to ensure currency of practice.

Career Opportunities

Nurses remain in high demand globally and graduates find work throughout Australia and overseas. Upon graduation students can work as a beginning practitioner in a variety of healthcare contexts. The course has been designed to meet the standards of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) to enable initial registration as a nurse. In order for students to be eligible for registration with the NMBA as a registered nurse, they must complete this course within five years.

Additional Course Expenses

Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks, other essential study materials and purchase a uniform for clinical practice.

Special Note

Application documentation required: Application for Admission to a Postgraduate Coursework Degree Form; certified copies of academic transcripts and a detailed curriculum vitae. On completion of this course, you will not be eligible for registration to practice as a Registered Nurse (RN), unless you are able to meet the national registration standards. These include (but are not limited to): Assessment of your initial nursing qualification and registration; Criminal History Screening; English Language Proficiency; Assessment of any health, conduct or performance issues. For more information on the registration process or standards, please refer to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia: www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.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.

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.