Master of Nursing (Graduate Entry)

2024 course information for Domestic Students
2024 course information for International Students

updated 6:01 AM on Tue, 30 May

Domestic snapshot

International snapshot

IELTS
View full English language requirements
Duration
2 years full-time; 4 years part-time
2 years full-time
Location
Coffs Harbour, Gold Coast, Lismore
Coffs Harbour, Gold Coast, Lismore
Start date
January
January
Course code
1209320
Course abbreviation
MN
Credit points
192
Equivalent units
16
CRICOS
View in availability and fee details
Fees
Commonwealth supported
Fees
View in availability and fee details

Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.

Course overview

Become a Registered Nurse (RN) in just two years with the Master of Nursing (Graduate Entry) and begin making a difference to people’s lives every day.

This degree develops a combination of professional knowledge, skills and clinical experiences to prepare you for a career in nursing and health. You will learn to apply sound evidence-based reasoning skills to your nursing practice, provide therapeutic care to patients, coordinate nursing care to individuals and groups, and work independently as well as collaborate in multidisciplinary teams for effective outcomes.

Theoretical knowledge is built upon by supervised clinical placements in a variety of healthcare settings. Placements are offered in local, regional and remote facilities to provide diverse learning experiences.

This course is ideal for graduates of health degrees who wish to transition into nursing or graduates from other disciplines who wish to pursue a healthcare career with robust employment prospects.

Applicants will be required to demonstrate a commitment to and an understanding of the profession in an interview.

English Language requirements

This course has English Language requirements which must be met for admission. Please consider these requirements prior to applying.

Inherent requirements

Inherent requirements apply to this course. Please consider these before applying.

Become a Registered Nurse (RN) in just two years with the Master of Nursing (Graduate Entry) and begin making a difference to people’s lives every day.

This degree develops a combination of professional knowledge, skills and clinical experiences to prepare you for a career in nursing and health. You will learn to apply sound evidence-based reasoning skills to your nursing practice, provide therapeutic care to patients, coordinate nursing care to individuals and groups, and work independently as well as collaborate in multidisciplinary teams for effective outcomes.

Theoretical knowledge is built upon by supervised clinical placements in a variety of healthcare settings. Placements are offered in local, regional and remote facilities to provide diverse learning experiences.

This course is ideal for graduates of health degrees who wish to transition into nursing or graduates from other disciplines who wish to pursue a healthcare career with robust employment prospects.

Applicants will be required to demonstrate a commitment to and an understanding of the profession in an interview.

English Language requirements

This course has English Language requirements which must be met for admission. Please consider these requirements prior to applying.

Inherent requirements

Inherent requirements apply to this course. Please consider these before applying.

Current Southern Cross students – to access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook.

Entry requirements

See the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, in conjunction with the Specific Award Rules listed below.

Applicants must have completed:

  1. a Bachelors degree, in any discipline, within the last 10 years and achieved a minimum GPA of 5.0 (a Credit average); and
  2. one 12 credit point unit of study in human anatomy /physiology or a related area from any recognised tertiary institution or equivalent as determined by the Course Coordinator (for example see here )

Applicants will be required to demonstrate a commitment to and an understanding of the profession in an interview.

Applicants who are already registered nurses in Australia are not eligible for admission to this course.

To meet the University’s minimum English Language Proficiency requirement an applicant must:

1. provide a written declaration that English is their primary language*;

or

2. have achieved:

  1. the IELTS (academic module) with a minimum overall score of 7 and a minimum score of 7 in each of the four components: or
  2. the OET with a minimum score of B in each of the four components; or
  3. the PTE Academic with a minimum overall score of 65 and a minimum score of 65 in each of the four communicative skills; or
  4. the TOEFL iBT with a minimum total score of 94 and the following minimum score in each section of the test: 24 listening, 24 reading, 27 writing, and 23 speaking.

*Refer to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia requirements regarding English as Primary Language.

In order to register to practice, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency [AHPRA]’s standards for English language must be met. See AHPRA’s English Language Skills for further information.

Language requirements

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows

CategoryScore
Overall Score or equivalent7.0
Reading7.0
Writing7.0
Listening7.0
Speaking7.0

About the course

The Master of Nursing provides students with anatomical knowledge, as well as an understanding of nursing principles and the legal and ethical framework that guides the profession. The degree has a strong focus on research, Indigenous health, clinical practice, knowledge translation and impact, patient-centred care and evidence-based practice.

Domestic students

Location Teaching period
Coffs HarbourSummer Term
Gold CoastSummer Term
LismoreSummer Term

International students

Location Teaching period Annual Fees CRICOS
Coffs HarbourSummer Term$31,920 ($3,990 per unit)113008H
Gold CoastSummer Term$31,920 ($3,990 per unit)113008H
LismoreSummer Term$31,920 ($3,990 per unit)113008H

Tuition fees are in Australian dollars, and are subject to change, including annual increases over the duration of a course. Annual tuition fee is based on completing 8 units per year. In addition students are required to pay OSHC for the duration of their visa in advance. Non-tuition fee covers textbooks, stationery and excursions.

How to apply

Where and when do you want to study?

Applications for this course are made directly to Southern Cross University via our online application service.

Australian/Domestic students

International students studying in Australia

View domestic application details View international application details

Course requirements

To be eligible to receive the Master of Nursing (Graduate Entry), students must complete the equivalent of 16 units (192 credit points), comprising all core units.

Professional Experience Learning

This course includes professional experience learning. Pre-requisites to meet national and state-based regulatory requirements, as detailed on Faculty of Health Professional Experience page must be met prior to attending professional experience placement. All professional experience learning hours must be completed and professional behaviour and conduct must be demonstrated.

Progression

Students are not permitted to have an extended period of more than 12 months between study of any two (2) units with professional experience learning.

Students are not permitted to have an extended period of more than 12 months between study of a theory unit that relates specifically to a particular unit with professional experience learning.

Students who have an interrupted study sequence of more than 12 months will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and may be required to undertake specified practice or theory to ensure currency prior to continuation of the course.

Duration

The maximum duration for completion of the award of Master of Nursing is five (5) years in total which includes any period for a leave of absence.

Inherent Requirements

Inherent Requirements apply to this course as defined on the Student Equity & Inclusion website. Students who have a disability or health condition which may impact on their ability to meet these requirements are encouraged to visit the Student Equity & Inclusion website for further information and contact details.


Course structure


Schedule of units

Unit CodeUnit TitleNotes
NURS5009The Health Narrative Across the Lifespan
NURS5010Introduction to Clinical Practice
INDG6002Health and Indigenous Peoples
PHAR2001Introductory Pharmacology
NURS5011Chronic Health and Disability Across the Lifespan
NURS5012Health Assessment Across the Lifespan
NURS5013Evidence-Based Mental Health Nursing
NURS5014Clinical Nursing I
NURS5015Community Partnerships
NURS6001Clinical Nursing II
HLTH3004Transition to Practice
HLTH3005Interprofessional Health Practice
NURS6002Promoting Nursing Leadership
NURS5016Nursing Research
NURS6003Clinical Nursing III Note 1


Notes

Note 1: Double-weighted unit

Why choose SCU?

Excellence in research

Outstanding ratings of 'at world standard' or above in 23 research fields.

Excellence in Research Australia (ERA) 2018

Top 200 Young Universities

Only 25 years young and ranked in the top 200 universities in the world.

Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2020

Outstanding student support

5-Star Student Support across undergraduate and postgraduate studies

Good Universities Guide 2021

Learning outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes.

Course Learning Outcome

Apply an advanced and integrated understanding of knowledge and skills, with accountability, to inform clinical reasoning in constructing and delivering safe, high quality, person-centred nursing practices.

Plan and execute research and scholarship as a basis for ongoing professional inquiry and effective knowledge translation to ensure evidence-based and holistic nursing practice.

Meet and adhere to relevant national professional, ethical and legal standards to ensure safe and competent nursing practice with a high level of personal autonomy and accountability.

Critically apply cognitive, technical and creative skills to investigate, analyse and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories in planning, prioritising, implementing and evaluating nursing practices across a range of diverse circumstances and settings.

Incorporate critical self-reflection, innovation and creativity, integrity, responsibility and accountability in contributing to professional practice, scholarship and lifelong learning.

Work independently and collaboratively with individuals, the nursing team, interdisciplinary healthcare teams and effectively empower and build leadership in the delivery of nursing.

Use academic knowledge and skills including literacy, numeracy and academic integrity to communicate clearly and effectively in oral and written form with a variety of audiences.

Demonstrate cultural responsivity and respect for the identity and dignity of all persons, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

Critically analyse regional, national and global healthcare systems, processes and ecological changes that affect healthcare to inform policy to meet changing societal needs.


Assessment methods

Students complete a wide variety of individual and group assessment items during the course including but not limited to oral exams, academic writing, clinical and practical assessments.

Teaching methods

Students experience a variety of teaching approaches including tutorials, online activities and video-linked or podcast virtual classes. The method of teaching may vary from unit to unit.

Career opportunities

Graduates of the Master of Nursing will be eligible to apply for registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and practice in a diverse range of primary, secondary or tertiary healthcare settings throughout Australia.

Southern Cross is renowned for leadership, education and clinical expertise in Nursing and we are highly sought after across the globe.

With further qualifications Registered Nurses can pursue clinical specialties, become nurse practitioners, senior defence force personnel, research coordinators, academics or business owners.

Professional placement

This course includes 840 hours of supervised clinical placement. All placement hours must be completed to meet the requirements of the Master of Nursing and to be able to apply for nursing registration with AHPRA.

Clinical placement will be anywhere between two and six weeks in length at an agreed facility. Placements must be attended every day during this time and are subject to shift allocation within the facility.

In order to attend clinical placements, all students are required to complete extensive compliance requirements as mandated by NSW and QLD Health legislation. This includes, but is not limited to: immunisations listed on the Australian National Immunisation program, COVID-19 vaccinations, mask-fit testing, first aid, CPR, working with children and National Police Certificates. 

Before applying for this course, please consider the important information regarding these compliance requirements.

Professional recognition

This course is accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA). Students enrolled in the Master of Nursing will be registered by Southern Cross University with NMBA as an enrolled student.

The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) is responsible for the registration and accreditation of various health professions in Australia. If you are enrolled in a course to enter one of these professions, we will provide AHPRA with your details for student registration. 
 
You do not need to apply or pay for your student registration. We will provide all the required information to AHPRA directly. You can find more information about AHPRA student registration and what we are required to report to AHPRA on their website.
 
Please be aware that as part of the registration process, AHPRA will collect your personal information (including your USI). AHPRA’s Privacy Policy explains how you may access and seek correction of your personal information held by AHPRA; complain to AHPRA about a breach of your privacy; and how a complaint will be dealt with. AHPRA’s Privacy Policy can be accessed on AHPRA’s Privacy webpage.

Ask a question

Domestic future
students

Call 1800 626 481 during business hours.

International future
students

Call +61 2 6620 3876 during business hours.

Current
students

Email: enquiry@scu.edu.au
Call 1800 005 687 during business hours.

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