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Postgraduate Coursework

Master of Nursing

Not available to international students.

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

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

Key details

Duration

1.5 year/s full-time
3 year/s part-time

Intake

Semester 1, Semester 2
Important Dates

Locations

Online
Not available to international students.

Credit points required

120

Course code

SNUR01
SATAC codes

Overview

The Master of Nursing extends knowledge gained through your undergraduate health studies and professional experience, preparing you for enhanced roles in nursing in areas such as education, management, administration and consultancy.

This flexible, online Master of Nursing will equip you with the skills and knowledge to be a skilled advanced clinician and future leader, working collaboratively and productively in dynamic and diverse health service environments.



Career opportunities

Completion of post graduate education is a necessity for a wide range of potential career advances such as management, leadership or education roles or academic or research positions. Graduates of a Master of Nursing are recognised as possessing significant advancement in critical thinking and decision-making capability, which is a requirement of most senior clinical and managerial positions.

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

Non-Commonwealth supported places

Full fee paying places are available in this course.

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 120-credit point course consists of six core units and four specialist elective units.

Course structure


A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 120 credit points as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless indicated.

Unit typeCredit PointsSpecific requirements
Core 
(6 units)
80cpCompulsory Core units totalling 80 credit points as detailed below: 

HEA506 Health Workforce 
HEA518 Working with Vulnerable Populations 
HEA519 Quality and Safety in Healthcare 
HEA541 Culture in Practice 
HEA572 Applied Health Project A (20cp) 
HEA573 Applied Health Project B (20cp)
Specialist Elective 
(2-4 units)
40cp

Specialist Elective units totalling 40 credit points selected from one of the specialisations detailed below:

Dementia Studies  (no longer available from S2 2022) 
Complete all 40 credit points of:  
HEA596 Socio-Political Issues and Leadership in Dementia Care (no longer available from S2 2022) 
HEA597 Psychosocial Supports and Therapeutic Approaches for Dementia Patients and Families (no longer available from S2 2022) 
HEA598 Neurobiology and Pathophysiology of Dementia (no longer available from S2 2022) 
HEA599 Advancements in Dementia Care (no longer available from S2 2022) 

Primary Health Care 
Complete all 20 credit points of:  
PHC500 Screening and Assessment 
PHC501 Foundations of Primary Health Care 
Plus 20 credit points from the following:  
PHC506 Remote Nursing in the Primary Health Care Context (20cp) 
PHC511 Chronic Condition Management in the Primary Health Care Context (20cp) 
PHC502 Sexual Health in the Primary Health Care Context (20cp) (no longer available from 2023) 
PHC503 Oral Health in the Primary Health Care Context (20cp) (no longer available from S2 2022) 
PHC507 Dementia Management in the Primary Health Care Context (20cp) (no longer available from S2 2022) 
PHC508 Skin Health in the Primary Health Care Context (20cp) (no longer available from S2 2022) 
PHC510 Maternal and Child Primary Health Care (20cp) (no longer available from S2 2022) 

Aeromedical studies 
Complete all 20 credit points of:  
HEA580 Fundamentals in Aeromedical Retrieval 
HEA583 International and Domestic Assistance Operations 
Plus 20 credit points from the following:  
HEA515 Health Informatics 
HEA525 Emotional Intelligence in Practice 
PHM516 Indigenous Health 
PHM553 Biostatistics 
PHM592 Global Health 
PHM593 Tropical Child Health 

Maternal Critical Care 
Complete all 40 credit points of:  
HEA570 Maternal Critical Care: Chronic Conditions (20cp) (unit title change 2021) 
HEA571 Maternal Critical Care: Acute Conditions (20cp) (unit title change 2021) 

Clinical Facilitation 
Complete all 40 credit points of: 
HEA503 Fostering Curiosity for Care 
HEA504 Communication and Assessment Skills for Clinical Education 
HEA505 Facilitating Clinical Learners 
HEA525 Emotional Intelligence in Practice 

Health Service Management 
Complete all 40 credit points of: 
HEA515 Health Informatics 
HEA516 Leading for Change (20cp) 
HEA525 Emotional Intelligence in Practice 

Mental Health 
Complete all 40 credit points of:  
HEA521 Mental Health Law and Ethics 
HEA522 Advanced Mental Health Practice 
HEA523 Pharmacology for Mental Health Professionals 
HEA524 Negotiating Therapeutic Relationships 

Renal Care 
Complete all 40 credit points of:  
NUR520 Advanced Renal Care 1 
NUR521 Advanced Renal Care 2 
NUR522 Renal pathophysiology and pharmacology 
NUR523 End of life care 

Clinical Specialisation (only for students who have completed GCCN, GDCN or TCNU01) 
Complete all 40 credit points of:  
HEA542 Informing Practice with Evidence 
HEA563 Clinical Specialisation 1 (last offered 2022) 
HEA564 Clinical Specialisation 2 (no longer offered) 
HEA561 Health Assessment in a Bio/Psycho/Social Context OR HEA551 Child and Family Knowledge and Practice 1 (last offered 2022)

 120cpTotal Credit Points

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



Course Changes - 2022

The following units are no longer available in the Primary Health Care specialisation from Semester 2 2022: PHC502, PHC503, PHC507, PHC508, PHC510.

The Dementia Studies specialisation and associated units are no longer available from Semester 2 2022: HEA596, HEA597, HEA598 and HEA599. 
 

Study plan


Students commencing in Semester 1

The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student commencing in semester 1 and enrolling in a standard full time and part time 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.

Full-time Study Plan

Legend:CO = Core UnitSE = Specialist Elective
Semester 1Semester 2
Year 1
HEA519 Quality and Safety in HealthcareCOHEA541 Culture in PracticeCO
HEA572 Applied Health Project A (20cp)COHEA573 Applied Health Project B (20cp)CO
Specialist Elective 1SESpecialist Elective 2SE
Year 2
HEA518 Working with Vulnerable PopulationsCO  
HEA506 Health WorkforceCO  
Specialist Elective 3SE  
Specialist Elective 4SE  

Part-time Study Plan

Legend:CO = Core UnitSE = Specialist Elective
Semester 1Semester 2
Year 1
HEA519 Quality and Safety in HealthcareCOHEA541 Culture in PracticeCO
Specialist Elective 1SESpecialist Elective 2SE
Year 2
HEA572 Applied Health Project A (20cp)COHEA573 Applied Health Project B (20cp)CO
Year 3
HEA518 Working with Vulnerable PopulationsCOSpecialist Elective 3SE
HEA506 Health WorkforceCOSpecialist Elective 4SE

 

Students commencing in Semester 2

The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student commencing in semester 2 and enrolling in a standard full time and part time 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.

Full-time study plan

Legend:CO = Core UnitSE = Specialist Elective
Semester 1Semester 2
Year 1
  HEA541 Culture in PracticeCO
  HEA506 Health WorkforceCO
  Specialist Elective 1SE
  Specialist Elective 2SE
Year 2
HEA518 Working with Vulnerable PopulationsCOHEA573 Applied Health Project B (20cp)CO
HEA572 Applied Health Project A (20cp)COSpecialist Elective 3SE
HEA519 Quality and Safety in HealthcareCOSpecialist Elective 4SE

Part-time Study Plan

Legend:CO = Core UnitSE = Specialist Elective
Semester 1Semester 2
Year 1
  HEA541 Culture in PracticeCO
  Specialist Elective 1SE
Year 2
HEA519 Quality and Safety in HealthcareCOSpecialist Elective 2SE
HEA518 Working with Vulnerable PopulationsCOSpecialist Elective 3SE
Year 3
HEA572 Applied Health Project A (20cp)COHEA573 Applied Health Project B (20cp)CO
Year 4
HEA506 Health WorkforceCO  
Specialist Elective 4SE  

Entry requirements

Admission criteria

Successful completion of a recognised bachelor degree in nursing or equivalent international qualification. Applicants must also hold current registration as a registered nurse with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

Essential 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

Accreditation

This course is accredited by the University in accordance with the Higher Education Standards.

Australian qualification framework

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

Additional information

Can offers be deferred?
Yes
Award
Master of Nursing
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 (FF)
1CM615
* CSP = Commonwealth supported place
FF = Full fee

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