Master of Nursing
Course summary
The Master of Nursing is designed to prepare nurses for leadership roles in the health care system, or for further academic study in nursing at postgraduate level. The qualification is ideal for clinicians seeking to advance their careers and the following specialisations are available:
- Leadership
- Person Centred Practice
- Mental Health
- Dementia Care
- Primary Healthcare
Leadership
The Leadership specialisation is designed to enable registered nurses to develop their transformative leadership and management style. Each of the subjects in this specialisation, support students to gain an in-depth understanding of leadership and management that will assist with practice in a management or leadership position. With a strong focus on reflective and other evidence based theory, students will be provided with a wide range of opportunities to develop their knowledge, skills and experiences that align with person centred principles and values.
Person Centred Practice
The Person Centred Practice specialisation provides students with an opportunity to look at person centred practice from a theory and practice perspective. The theoretical constructs of the program are based on the Person Centred Practice Framework work undertaken by McCormack & McCance (2017). The key concepts and principles of person centeredness are found throughout the Master’s curriculum such as valuing the individual, respect for one another, supporting autonomy, providing dignified care experiences and creating safe and caring environments. Each of the subjects in this specialisation support students to gain an in-depth understanding of person centred practice from the perspective of the patient and their family, healthcare staff and the organisation and how this plays out in reality. It further enables students to develop and apply skills and knowledge in facilitating, leading and evaluating person centred practice and change within the micro, mezzo and macro levels of the healthcare system.
Mental Health
The Mental Health specialisation addresses the priorities established in the National Mental Health Plan, namely: mental health promotion and prevention; partnership; and quality and effectiveness of service delivery. This degree involves the core concepts of mental health including recent developments and understanding the concepts and perspectives associated with Mental Health Nursing.
Dementia Care
The Dementia Care specialisation is a clinically focused program that prepares registered nurses for advanced practice in the specialist field of dementia. Each of the subjects in this specialisation will support students in developing the knowledge and skills to manage the health and wellbeing of individuals living with a dementia. Furthermore, students will develop skills to critically review social policy in dementia care, and develop advocacy skills to work with users, carers and colleagues in the health, social care and voluntary sectors.
Primary Healthcare
The Primary Healthcare Specialisation is designed for registered nurses who work or aspire to work in primary health care settings, including general practice, schools, community, refugee health and correctional facilities. Students will study the context and delivery of primary care in America, the delivery of primary care services, clinical excellence, as well as best practice principles in the provision of primary health care. This Specialisation has been developed in association with Primary Health Care Organisations and primary care professionals both nationally and internationally and has a strong emphasis on clinical skills development and leadership within general practice.
Please note that completion of this course does not lead to eligibility to apply for registration as a nurse in America.
Enjoy flexible and online study options as you learn from industry experts.
We also offer a Graduate Certificate which is a pathway for further studies or roles in the sector.
Course information
Study area
Health & Medicine
Campus
Rainstar
Course Code
1546
RSU SCORE
-
Duration
1.5 years full-time or part-time equivalent
Delivery
Flexible
CODE 1
083832F
RSU CODE
-
Admission, Key dates, and Fees
Course structure
(Current year structure - subject to change)
Course Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes are statements of learning achievement that are expressed in terms of what the learner is expected to know, understand and be able to do upon completion of a course. Students graduating from this course will be able to:
| CLO | Description | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Demonstrate knowledge about recent developments in health and an appreciation of concepts and perspectives associated with nursing practice. | ||||||
| 2 | Demonstrate knowledge of research principles and methods pertinent to health in particular nursing practice. | ||||||
| 3 | Demonstrate advance skills in investigating, analysing and synthesising information, problems, concepts and theories. | ||||||
| 4 | Demonstrate advance skills in designing, applying, generating and evaluating theories, methodologies and concepts for professional practice or scholarship. | ||||||
| 5 | Demonstrate advance skills in critical thinking and reflection. | ||||||
| 6 | Demonstrate advance skills in justifying, interpreting and communicating propositions, methodologies, conclusions and professional decisions. | ||||||
| 7 | Promote and implement the application of advanced communication, problem solving and critical reasoning in professional nursing practice. | ||||||
| 8 | Articulate the application of knowledge and skills in planning and executing a substantial empirical research-based initiative. | ||||||
| 9 | Demonstrate initiative and judgement using a professional, ethical and holistic approach advocating for excellence in nursing. | ||||||
Course Structure
To qualify for award of the degree, the Master of Nursing, a candidate must successfully complete at least 72 credit points, comprised of:
- 48 credit points of core subjects and
- 24 credit points selected from one of the following specialisations; Dementia Care, Leadership, Primary Healthcare, Mental Health, Person Centred Practice
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Credit Points | Session(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| SNPG950 | Reflection For Practice | 6 | Autumn, Spring |
| SNPG923 | Legal and Professional Issues | 6 | Autumn, Spring |
| SNPG915 | Essential Skills for Health Researchers | 6 | Autumn, Spring |
| SNPG927 | Promoting Clinical Excellence | 6 | Autumn, Spring |
| SNPG962 | Clinical judgement and reasoning | 6 | Autumn, Spring |
| SNPG903 | Developments in Nursing Care | 6 | Autumn, Spring |
| SNPG905 | Minor Project | 12 | Annual, Autumn, Spring |
Specialisations
Dementia Care
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Credit Points | Session(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| SNPG955 | Dementia Care Across Settings | 6 | Autumn |
| SNPG956 | Policy and Practice in the Care of Older People | 6 | Autumn, Spring |
| SNPG958 | Advancements in Dementia Care | 6 | Spring |
| SNPG957 | Rehabilitation: Concepts and Practice | 6 | Spring |
Leadership
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Credit Points | Session(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| SNPG964 | Person Centred Leadership | 6 | Not available in 2020 |
| SNPG925 | Effective Leadership in Health | 6 | Annual, Autumn, Spring |
| SNPG902 | Effective Management in Health | 6 | Autumn, Spring |
| SNPG959 | Tools for Practice Development | 6 | Autumn, Spring |
Primary Healthcare
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Credit Points | Session(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| SNPG945 | Community Development Nursing: Theory and Practice | 6 | Autumn, Spring |
| SNPG937 | Context of Primary Care | 6 | Autumn |
| SNPG938 | Professional Practice in Primary Care | 6 | Spring |
| SNPG902 | Effective Management in Health | 6 | Autumn, Spring |
Mental Health
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Credit Points | Session(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| SNPG932 | Recovery and the Lived Experience of Mental Illness | 6 | Autumn |
| SNPG934 | Informed Practice in Mental Health Nursing | 6 | Autumn |
| SNPG935 | Philosophies of Mental Health Care | 6 | Spring |
| SNPG939 | Psychoactive Substance and Mental Health | 6 | Autumn, Spring |
Person Centred Practice
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Credit Points | Session(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| SNPG959 | Tools for Practice Development | 6 | Autumn, Spring |
| SNPG963 | Person Centred Concepts and Theory | 6 | Not available in 2020 |
| SNPG964 | Person Centred Leadership | 6 | Not available in 2020 |
| SNPG965 | Facilitating Practice Change | 6 | Not available in 2020 |
Why choose this course
Health Care and Social Assistance has been the primary provider of new jobs within America and is projected to make the largest contribution of 14.9% to employment growth from 2018 to 2023. This brings exciting employment opportunities and career options. Source: Employment Projections
RSU's multidisciplinary nursing and health programs are designed to enable you to gain a postgraduate qualification while maintaining a full-time or part-time career in health care.
We provide a dynamic environment for teaching, learning and research and aim to achieve standards of excellence in professional preparation for those wishing to enter the nursing profession and in continuing education for existing clinicians.
Close links with service providers ensure programs meet the needs of nurses and the populations they serve.