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Postgraduate Coursework

Master of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner)

Not available to international students.

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This course is only available to International students and your preference is currently set to Domestic.

Key details

Duration

Not available full-time
2 year/s part-time

Intake

Semester 1
Important Dates

Locations

Online
Not available to international students.

Credit points required

80

Course code

SNNP02
SATAC codes

Overview

This course is currently undergoing accreditation with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).

The Master of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner) is an online course with some on campus attendance. The course is designed to provide core knowledge and skills needed for the expanded role of the Nurse Practitioner as described in the Standards of Practice set by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. The course is addressing experienced registered nurses who want to enhance their professional practice in areas including but not limited to expanded practice, professional autonomy with accountability, and clinical leadership. 

The course builds on the knowledge you have already gained through your postgraduate studies and professional experience. Studies in the course has a focus on person-centred care that is culturally responsive and to be applied within primary, secondary or tertiary healthcare settings where a Nurse Practitioner provides care.

Intensives (on campus)

While this is an online course, you are required to complete two on-campus intensives. Each intensive is one-week long and takes place early in Semester 1 each year. Intensives are held at accredited CDU sites and students are responsible for the costs of attendance (including travel and accommodation).



Career opportunities

As an endorsed Nurse Practitioner, you can be working in public or private settings with either a broad general scope or in a narrow specialist scope. 

Practical experience

You will complete at least 300 hours of supervised integrated professional practice.

Professional recognition

This course is currently undergoing accreditation with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA). Once accredited, graduates of this course are eligible to apply for endorsement as a Nurse Practitioner with NMBA (Nurses and Midwifes Board of Australia).

Credit transfers and advanced standing

Pathways


Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education

For information about credit transfer available to students with complete or incomplete study at this or other Institutions refer to Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education

Credit transfer

For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU

Credit transfers and advanced standing

Credit transfer

For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU

Fees

Commonwealth supported places

Commonwealth Supported places are available in this course to students who meet one of the following residency requirements:

(a) be an Australian citizen, who will complete some of your course of study while resident in Australia; or

(b) a New Zealand citizen; or an Australian permanent visa holder; or an eligible former permanent humanitarian visa holder; who studies the entire course while living in Australia.

Further information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.

Nursing_CDU

Why study Nursing and Midwifery at CDU?

Future-proof your career in healthcare with a postgraduate nursing or midwifery degree at CDU. Delivered by passionate and expert lecturers, your learning will be guided by evidence, innovation and patient-centred care.

  • #2 in Australia for postgraduate nursing starting salary (GUG 2024)
  • #3 in Australia for postgraduate nursing employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
  • #3 in Australia for postgraduate learner engagement in nursing
  • Choose to study online, on campus, part-time or full-time as it suits you
Nursing_CDU

Why study Nursing and Midwifery at CDU?

Find a rewarding career in healthcare when you study nursing or midwifery at CDU. Our graduates have the academic knowledge and hands-on experience to confidently enter the workplace and deliver evidence-based care to their patients.

  • Gain practical experience through placements and state-of-the-art clinical simulation suites located around Australia
  • #2 in Australia for postgraduate nursing starting salary (GUG 2024)
  • #3 in Australia for postgraduate nursing employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
  • #3 in Australia for postgraduate learner engagement in nursing
Nursing_CDU

Why study Nursing and Midwifery at CDU?

Future-proof your career in healthcare with a postgraduate nursing or midwifery degree at CDU. Delivered by passionate and expert lecturers, your learning will be guided by evidence, innovation and patient-centred care.

  • #2 in Australia for postgraduate nursing starting salary (GUG 2024)
  • #3 in Australia for postgraduate nursing employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
  • #3 in Australia for postgraduate learner engagement in nursing
  • Choose to study online, on campus, part-time or full-time as it suits you
Nursing_CDU

Why study Nursing and Midwifery at CDU?

Find a rewarding career in healthcare when you study nursing or midwifery at CDU. Our graduates have the academic knowledge and hands-on experience to confidently enter the workplace and deliver evidence-based care to their patients.

  • Gain practical experience through placements and state-of-the-art clinical simulation suites located around Australia
  • #2 in Australia for postgraduate nursing starting salary (GUG 2024)
  • #3 in Australia for postgraduate nursing employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
  • #3 in Australia for postgraduate learner engagement in nursing

What will I study?

This is a two-year part-time course with eight core units.  The first year of this course provides a foundation of Nurse Practitioner core skills and knowledge applied to familiar situations. In the final year students will broaden and deepen their knowledge and skills to enhance their capability to deal with unfamiliar clients. The capability will be articulated by independent judgement and specialist decisions regarding investigation, treatment and care. 

Course structure

This is a two-year part-time course with eight core units.  The first year of this course provides a foundation of Nurse Practitioner core skills and knowledge applied to familiar situations.In the final year students will broaden and deepen their knowledge and skills to enhance their capability to deal with unfamiliar clients. The capability will be articulated by independent judgement and specialist decisions regarding investigation, treatment and care. 


A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 80 credit points (cp) as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless otherwise indicated.

Unit typeCredit PointsSpecific requirements

Core Units  
(8 units)

 

 

 

80cp

 

 

 

 


Compulsory Core units totalling 80 credit points as per the list of units detailed below:  

NUR511 Assess, Examine, Investigate & Diagnose A  
NUR512 Assess, Examine, Investigate & Diagnose B  
NUR513 Nurse Practitioner Integrated Professional Practice 1  
NUR515 Pharmacotherapeutics for Independent Prescribers 
NUR517 Transition to Nurse Practitioner Practice 
NUR614 Nurse Practitioner Integrated Professional Practice 2 
HEA537 Research Skills for Health Professionals 
HEA550 Nursing and Midwifery Professional Leadership  
 
 80cpTotal Credit Points

Course Rules (unless otherwise indicated in the above course structure)

Study plan


STUDENTS COMMENCING IN SEMESTER 1

The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student enrolling in a full-time study load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.

When designing an individual study plan:

  • maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
  • check the prerequisite and assumed knowledge for each unit as some units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level.   
     
Legend:CO = Core Unit

Full-Time Study Plan

Semester 1Semester 2
Year 1
NUR517 Transition to Nurse Practitioner PracticeCONUR513 Nurse Practitioner Integrated Professional Practice 1CO
NUR511 Assess, Examine, Investigate & Diagnose A    
(includes a one-week intensive)
COHEA550 Nursing and Midwifery Professional LeadershipCO
Year 2
NUR515 Pharmacotherapeutics for Independent PrescribersCOHEA537 Research Skills for Health ProfessionalsCO
NUR512 Assess, Examine, Investigate & Diagnose B    
(includes a one-week intensive)
CONUR614 Nurse Practitioner Integrated Professional Practice 2CO

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_____________________________________

STUDENTS COMMENCING IN SEMESTER 2

There is no Semester 2 intake for this course.

Entry requirements

Quota

This course is a highly competitive course with a limited number of places. This means that although you may meet the minimum entry requirements for the course, you may not be ranked high enough to receive an offer. Subquotas are in place for First Nation People and NT Resident applicants.

Admission criteria

Applicants must:

A. hold a current general registration as a registered nurse and an unrestricted licence to practice as a registered nurse in Australia, with no condition on registration related to unsatisfactory professional performance or unprofessional conduct; and

B. have completed a minimum of two years- full-time equivalent (FTE) as a registered nurse in a specified clinical field and a minimum of additional two years- FTE of current* advanced nursing practice in this same clinical field; and

C. have completed a postgraduate qualification(degree) at AQF level 8, i.e. postgraduate certificate or higher in a clinical field.

D. provide evidence from an approved health care organisation that support the applicant and the practicum requirements, including supervision and clinical support for a minimum of 300 hours of supernumerary integrated professional practice during the course. 

*current means within the previous six years

Applicants are required to complete the linked application pack and attach this to your SATAC application.

Essential requirements

Reporting Obligations

Under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law, CDU is required to register nursing students with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and to notify AHPRA if a student has or develops a health impairment that may place the public at substantial risk of harm. More information from the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) at www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/.

 

Pre-clinical Requirements:

You must provide proof that you have met all university and State/Territory pre-clinical requirements before starting integrated professional practice. These requirements include, but are not limited to:

·        immunisation requirements

·        annual criminal record checks

·        working with children clearances

·        fitness-to-practice requirements

English language requirements

To gain entry into Charles Darwin University, all Higher Education applicants must satisfy the University's English Language Proficiency requirements for their chosen course of study. From 2025 ALL applicants will be required to supply evidence of this at the time of application. For further details on the English requirements for CDU courses, please refer to CDU English Language Proficiency Policy.

DOMESTIC STUDENTS   
English language proficiency requirements - Domestic students

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS   
English language proficiency requirements - International students   
Course specific English language proficiency requirements for International students are included below.

The minimum English language requirement for this course is met by either undertaking previous education from an English-speaking country or undertaking one of the following English language tests and obtaining the minimum requirements listed below.

CDU English for Academic Purposes 4 (ZEAP40)Successful completion of EAP004 English for Academic Purposes 4
IELTS Academic Module (including One Skill Retake)A minimum overall score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.0.
Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)A minimum overall score of 176, with no skill below 169.
Common European Framework Certificate of English ProficiencyA minimum overall grade of C1, valid for three years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU.
Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic moduleA minimum overall score of 58 with no score lower than 50.
TOEFL Internet-based Test (iBT)A minimum overall score of 79 with a minimum writing score of 21.

* All tests are valid for two years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU, unless otherwise specified.  
* Where applicable, international applicants must also satisfy the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) English language requirements for student visa applications.

Do you have a question regarding English requirements at CDU? Please email: international@cdu.edu.au.  
 

The people-first approach to flexibility and supportive learning environment at CDU meant I could find a balance with study, work and family life.

Nikki

CDU student

Nikki Govan

It’s a two-way education, educators here listen to us as much as we listen to them, so classroom experiences are amazing. I’ve also made a lot of friends through our regular group assignments or projects.

Farhana

CDU student

Farhana Waterfront

The people-first approach to flexibility and supportive learning environment at CDU meant I could find a balance with study, work and family life.

Nikki

CDU student

Nikki Govan

It’s a two-way education, educators here listen to us as much as we listen to them, so classroom experiences are amazing. I’ve also made a lot of friends through our regular group assignments or projects.

Farhana

CDU student

Farhana Waterfront

Course details

Inherent Requirements

There are inherent requirements for this course. Students must read and understand the requirements for this course.

Australian qualification framework

This course is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9.

Additional information

Can offers be deferred?
No
Award
Master of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner)
Faculty/College
Faculty of Health
Sector
HE
Area of study
Nursing and Midwifery, Health

Contact details

For further information about the course, enrolment procedures, closing dates and other administrative issues please contact Student Central on:

Email:Student.Central@cdu.edu.auPhone:1800 061 963 (free call)

You make CDU

Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.

Learn about nursing at CDU

Reeya is from Nepal studying a Bachelor of Nursing at CDU. Hear more about her experience of studying, living, working and playing in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.

You make CDU

Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.

Learn about nursing at CDU

Reeya is from Nepal studying a Bachelor of Nursing at CDU. Hear more about her experience of studying, living, working and playing in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.

How to apply

There are many ways to apply to CDU. The method you use depends on your course type, where you live and whether you are a new or returning student to CDU.

Remember to apply early for your best chance at securing an offer to study with us.

SATAC

SATAC is the application channel for residents of NT, ACT, SA, WA, QLD, VIC, NSW or TAS.

SATAC codes

Location
SATAC Code
Online (CSP)
1CM178
* CSP = Commonwealth supported place
FF = Full fee

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