CM73 - Master of Nursing (Graduate Entry)

Overview

Compulsory Residential School

Some units in this course require you to attend a compulsory Residential School or Work Integrated Learning. Please see Course Features in the Getting Started tab for further information.

Course Overview

The Master of Nursing (Graduate Entry) aims to provide you with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills to enable you to be a competent and effective Registered Nurse (Division 1) General. The course will prepare you to be reflective about your practice as a nurse and develop clinical reasoning skills to confidently and safely engage in contemporary nursing practice in a variety of environments and contexts and adapt to the needs of people from diverse backgrounds. You will acquire skills to provide person-centred care and to collaborate with other members of the interdisciplinary healthcare team. You will be given the opportunity to ensure your practice is safe and to understand the necessity to act in a professional, ethical, legal and compassionate manner. In addition, you will learn to nurture the development of leadership in health care. You will explore how life-long learning skills can facilitate continuing professional development. 

You will be required to participate in simulated learning activities in a Clinical Learning Centre at a CQUniversity accredited delivery site prior to being deemed eligible to attend professional experience placement. You will be required to demonstrate nursing care that is person-centred, evidence-informed and responsible. Clinical learning is a key element of this course and you will be required to undertake 800 hours of professional experience placement in a variety of settings within different health organisations. You must meet specific mandatory health, safety and security requirements to be eligible to attend each professional experience placement. Professional experience placements may be limited in your community and you may be placed in other locations. Please be prepared financially and personally to cover the costs to relocate for placements. Due to the limited availability of placements, some block placements have start and/or end dates that fall outside standard term dates. Placements are offered in a fulltime capacity only.

It is essential that you enrol in units in the order that they are listed. Not adhering to this may delay your progress and extend the length of your study. Accreditation Standards require all students to be physically located in Australia whilst studying this course. At the discretion of the Head of Course, you may be required to undertake a prescribed English language test to ensure your English language proficiency is at an acceptable level to safely participate in professional experience placements and communicate for patient safety.

The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) has a register of students enrolled in the Master of Nursing (Graduate Entry) for the duration of their study. CQUniversity as the education provider will provide your details directly to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) for registration.

On successful completion of the Master of Nursing (Graduate Entry), you will be eligible to apply for registration as a Registered Nurse (Division 1) General with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA). Prospective students should be aware that full disclosure of any issues of impairment or misconduct are a declaration requirement when applying for registration as a registered nurse. To be accepted for registration with the NMBA, you are required to disclose: any criminal history, physical and/or psychological impairments and meet specific English language standards. For further clarification of these requirements contact the NMBA.


Career Information
In the final year of the course, students usually apply for a new graduate nursing position in a hospital and health service or other healthcare organisation where they will have the opportunity to further consolidate their knowledge and skills in nursing. The broad nature of nursing and healthcare allows opportunities for employment and/or specialisation in environments such as acute hospital services, community health, mental health, residential and aged care, Indigenous health, and rural and remote health.

Career Information

In the final year of the course, students are eligible to apply for a new graduate nursing position in a hospital and health service or other healthcare organisation where they will have the opportunity to further consolidate their knowledge and skills in nursing.  The broad nature of nursing and healthcare allows opportunities for employment and/or specialisation in environments such as acute hospital services, community health, mental health, residential and aged care, indigenous health, and rural and remote health.

Course Details
Duration 1.5 years full-time or 3 years part-time
Credit Points that Must be Earned 96
Number of Units Required CQUniversity uses the concept of credits to express the amount of study required for a particular course and individual units. The number of units varies between courses. Units in postgraduate courses normally consist of 6 points of credit or multiples thereof (e.g. 12, 18, 24).
Expected Hours of Study One point of credit is equivalent to an expectation of approximately two hours of student work per week in a term.
Course Type Postgraduate Award
Qualification (post nominal) MN (Grad Entry)
AQF Level Level 9: Masters Degree (Coursework)
Course Fees
Indicative Year - 2025
  • Commonwealth Supported Place – Indicative First Year Fee - $8,108

Admission Codes

Domestic Students
Tertiary Admission Centre Codes (TAC) Codes
Not Applicable
International Students
CRICOS Codes
Not Applicable
Where and when can I start?
Units offered internally at the below campuses may be delivered using a combination of face-to-face and video conferencing style teaching.
Units offered via MIX mode are delivered online and require compulsory attendance of site-specific learning activities such as on-campus residential schools, placements and/or work integrated learning. See Course Features tab for further information. Online units are delivered using online resources only.
Please Click Here for more information.
The following tables list the courses availabilities by location and term. Directing your pointer over your preferred location will provide further information if this course is not available for the full duration. Please be sure to also check individual unit availability by location and term prior to enrolling.

Domestic Availability

Term 2 - 2025

Online
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International Availability

Term 2 - 2025

Sorry, no international availabilities found.
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For any problems regarding admissions availability for the selected course please contact 13 CQUni (13 27 86) or send us an email at http://contactus.cqu.edu.au/
Entry Requirements - What do I need to start?
Academic Requirements

To be eligible to entry into this course, applicants must hold:

A completed Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) equivalent 3-year Bachelor degree, in any discipline excluding Nursing*, which has been completed within the last 10 years^.


*This course is not designed for applicants who already hold registration as a Registered Nurse with Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Applicants with a previously completed Bachelor of Nursing qualification who do not hold AHPRA registration are eligible to apply.

^The date of course completion must be within 10 years of the date of commencement of study. 

English Languages Proficiency Requirements: 

The English Language Skills requirements listed below are those specified by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia as required for initial registration.

As an applicant for the Master of Nursing (Graduate Entry), you are required to demonstrate your English language competency in one of the following ways:

  • English is your primary language and you have satisfactorily completed at least six years of primary and secondary education, taught and assessed solely in English – including at least two years completed between grades 7 and 12 - in a recognised country. 
    (Recognised countries: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom or United States of America); OR
  • You are currently registered as an Enrolled Nurse with the Australian Health Practitioner Agency (AHPRA)


If you do not satisfy any of the above you will need to undertake an English language proficiency test and achieve the following scores as below:

  • An International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic) overall band score of at least 7.0 overall with a minimum 7.0 in each subset; OR
  • An Occupational English Test with Grades A or B only in each of the four components; OR
  • An Occupational English Test with Grades A or B only in each of the four components; OR
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT – requires 94 or better overall and no score less than 27 for writing, 23 for speaking and 24 for listening and reading.

English test results remain valid for no more than two years between the final examination date and the date of commencement of the study and must appear on a single result certificate.

If you are an International student please visit International students English requirements for further information.

Each student will be assessed individually.

Nursing students’ English language skills are directly aligned with the requirements of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

Assumed Knowledge

Recommended Study: English, Maths, Biology or Science

 

 

Security Requirements
No information available at this time
Health Requirements
No information available at this time
Fees and Charges
Course Features

Awards and Accreditation

Interim Awards Not applicable
Exit Awards Not applicable
Accreditation
  • Professional Practice: Core
    Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC)

    This course is subject to receiving accreditation with the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC).  This is currently in process and awaiting final outcome.

Residential School Requirements

Compulsory Residential School There are 4 units each with compulsory 4 day residential schools to enable students to learn and consolidate their clinical nursing knowledge and skills prior to attending work-integrated learning. Nursing Foundations: 32 hours residential school Practice Experience 1: 32 hours residential school Practice Experience 2: 32 hours residential school Practice Experience 3: 32 hours residential school
Click here to view all Residential Schools

Practicum/Work Placement

NURS29004 - Professional Experience Placement (240 hours)
NURS29005 - Professional Experience Placement (280 hours)
NURS29006 - Professional Experience Placement (280 hours)

Predicted Enrolments

Year Number of Students
First Year 64
Second year 64
Third Year 80
Inherent Requirements
There are Inherent Requirements (IRs) that you need to be aware of, and fulfil, to achieve the core learning outcomes of the units and course. IRs are the essential capabilities, knowledge, behaviours and skills that are needed to complete a unit or course.

Please note that in some instances there may be similarities between course, entry and inherent requirements.

If you experience difficulties meeting these requirements, reasonable adjustments may be made upon contacting accessibility@cqu.edu.au. Adjustment must not compromise the academic integrity of the degree or course chosen at CQUniversity or the legal requirements of field education.

Ethical Behaviour

Examples are:

  • Complying with academic and non-academic misconduct policies and procedures such as CQUniversity’s Student Charter, Student Misconduct Policy, Student Behavioural Misconduct Procedure, Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure, Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).  
  • Treating personal information obtained in the classroom and clinical settings as private and confidential.
  • Respecting an individual's/group's diversity by demonstrating sensitivity to religious, cultural, and individual differences.
  • Demonstrating an ability to reflect on ethical dilemmas and issues and take responsibility for ensuring awareness of ethical behaviour.
Behavioural Stability

Examples are:

  • Being receptive and responding appropriately to different viewpoints, to constructive feedback and to direction from academics and clinical staff.
  • Interacting positively and effectively in groups with other students while attending activities related to the course.
  • Contributing to on-line discussion forums and tutorials with peers and academics whilst using respectful language and tone.
  • Coping with your own emotions, responses and behaviour effectively when dealing with challenging situations in the clinical setting.
Legal Compliance

Examples are:

  • Complying with the requirement for student registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra). Adhering to the policies, procedures, guidelines and statements specific to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.
  • Complying with mandatory reporting requirements.
  • Understanding and adhering to professional policy around the use of social media.
  • Undertaking nursing care within the scope of practice relevant to the required knowledge and level of progression through your course of study.
  • Understanding and adhering to legal requirements associated with the administration of medications.
Communication Skills (Verbal, Non-verbal, Written and Technology)

Examples are:

  • Using language that is appropriate to the context of the individual or group.
  • Responding appropriately to a care request in the clinical environment.
  • Providing the health care team with verbal handover reports related to patient care.
  • Recognising and interpreting non-verbal cues of the health care team, peers, patients and others and responding appropriately during clinical placement.
  • Constructing a legible nursing report in a timely manner that meets professional standards and clearly communicates the intended message.
  • Accurately documenting in patients' charts and records meeting legal and professional requirements.
  • Regularly accessing email for communication with university staff and others.
Cognitive Abilities (Knowledge and Cognitive Skills, Literacy and Numeracy)

Examples are:

  • Completing academic learning activities and assessment tasks, and performing clinical skills within reasonable set timeframes.
  • Applying knowledge of policy and procedures in the clinical setting.
  • Applying theoretical knowledge and understanding of health history when undertaking patient assessment during admissions in clinical practice.
  • Actively listening to information within a variety of academic and clinical situations.
  • Reading and accurately interpreting plans of care and medication orders for patients.
  • Performing accurate drug calculations in a timely manner in medication administration assessments and in clinical practice.
Sensory Abilities (Visual, Auditory, Tactile)

Examples are:

  • Focusing on and recognising objects that are either near or far, e.g. reading learning resources such as lecture and tutorial screens face-to-face on-campus or on-line, reading examination papers and/or on-line computer quizzes; or during clinical placement.
  • Accurately drawing up and administering medication.
  • Detecting changes in skin colour and general tissue perfusion.
  • Hearing verbal communication from other students and lecturers during activities related to the course and in clinical learning environments.
  • Accurately interpreting the verbal communication and direction of clinical staff during emergency situations.
  • Accurately detecting a blood pressure measurement, listening to heart, lung and bowel sounds by auscultation using a stethoscope.
  • Responding to a care request by activation of a call bell or calls for help.
  • Detecting changes in circulation observations, for example, assessing skin temperature and palpating pulses.
  • Conducting a physical assessment detecting anatomical abnormalities, for example, swelling or alteration in texture.
  • Using touch appropriately as an alternative means of conveying positive messages to patients such as emotional support and encouragement.
Relational Skills

Examples are:

  • Meeting the Registered nurse standards for practice, in particular Standard 2.
  • Establishing, sustaining and concluding relationships in a way that differentiates the boundaries between professional and personal relationships.
  • Communicating effectively and being respectful of a person's dignity, culture, values, beliefs and rights.
  • Recognising that people are the experts in the experience of their life.
  • Advocating on behalf of people in a manner that respects the person's autonomy and legal capacity.
  • Using delegation, supervision, coordination, consultation and referrals in professional relationships to achieve improved health outcomes.
  • Actively fostering a culture of safety and learning that includes engaging with health professionals and others, to share knowledge and practice that supports person-centred care.
  • Effectively participating in groups and teams.
Reflective Skills

Examples are:

  • Meeting the Registered nurse standards for practice, in particular Standards 1 and 7.
  • Accessing, analysing and using the best available evidence, that includes research findings for safe quality practice.
  • Developing practice through reflecting on experiences, knowledge, actions, feelings and beliefs to identify how these shape practice.
  • Respecting all cultures and experiences, which includes responding to the role of family and community that underpin the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people of other cultures.
  • Evaluating and monitoring progress towards expected goals and outcomes.

 

 

Sustainable Performance

Examples are:

  • Actively participating in all activities related to the course.
  • Undertaking examinations and on-line quizzes with adequate, sustained levels of physical energy and concentration.
  • Participating in all learning clinical skills and engaging in simulation activities during on-campus learning and teaching situations.
  • Performing consistent care and complete repetitive tasks during clinical practice with sustained concentration and physical energy for an 8-to-12-hour period of time that may be at night.
Strength and Mobility (Gross Motor Skills and Fine Motor Skills)

Examples are:

  • Incorporating a range of gross motor skills while participating effectively in activities related to the course.
  • Maintaining balance while safely mobilising and transferring individuals or resources.
  • Moving with ease around patients' bedsides, bathrooms and equipment items while performing delivery of care activities and responding to emergency situations.
  • Safely retrieving and utilising stock and equipment.
  • Manipulating intricate medical appliances and equipment.
  • Manipulating syringes and needles during preparation and administration of medications addressing safety to self and others.
Interpersonal Engagement

 

Examples are:

  • Meeting the Registered nurse standards for practice, in particular Standard 2.

 

 

 

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Abilities

Examples are:

  • Accessing relevant CQUniversity sites to facilitate effective engagement with course content and demonstrating understanding of course requirements.
  • Accessing and entering information into a digital health system to enable safe, ethical, and legal patient care in the simulated environment and while attending clinical placement.
Core Learning Outcomes
  • 1. Apply and justify the best available evidence to make decisions in order to provide safe, holistic and person-centred quality nursing care, and as a platform for continued lifelong learning.
  • 2. Exemplify effective and respectful communication with individuals, groups and members of the interdisciplinary team.
  • 3. Adapt critical thinking to systematically assess, plan, deliver and evaluate nursing practice.
  • 4. Evaluate nursing practice based on priorities, goals, plans and outcomes and revise accordingly.
  • 5. Demonstrate a high level of personal autonomy and accountability for actions to ensure safe and responsible nursing practice.
  • 6. Anagolise the role of professional development and its relationship to lifelong learning for self and other members on the healthcare team.
  • 7. Advocate for values and ethical practice that fosters a culture of respect for all people and the profession of nursing.
  • 8. Explicate research that improves nursing practice.
  • 9. Meet requirements for registration as nurse (Division 1) with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).
  Course Learning Outcomes
Australian Qualifications Framework Descriptors 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
1. KNOWLEDGE Have a body of knowledge that includes the understanding of recent developments in a discipline and/or area of professional practice
2. KNOWLEDGE Have an understanding of research principles and methods applicable to a field of work and/or learning
3. SKILLS Have cognitive skills to demonstrate mastery of theoretical knowledge and to reflect critically on theory and professional practice or scholarship
4. SKILLS Have cognitive, technical and creative skills to investigate, analyse and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories and to apply established theories to different bodies of knowledge or practice
5. SKILLS Have cognitive, technical and creative skills to generate and evaluate complex ideas and concepts at an abstract level
6. SKILLS Have communication and technical research skills to justify and interpret theoretical propositions, methodologies, conclusions and professional decisions to specialist and non-specialist audiences
7. SKILLS Have technical and communication skills to design, evaluate, implement, analyse and theorise about developments that contribute to professional practice or scholarship
8. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Be able to use creativity and initiative to new situations in professional practice and/or for further learning
9. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Be able to use high level personal autonomy and accountability
10 APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Be able to plan and execute a substantial research-based project, capstone experience and/or piece of scholarship.
APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Communicate, interact and collaborate with others effectively in culturally or linguistically diverse contexts in a culturally respectful manner
Course Structure

In order to complete this course, you must:

  1. Complete the core structure
Number of units: 13 Total credit points: 96

Course Structure

It is essential that you undertake the course in the order that is listed in the course structure; pre-requisite units and co-requisite units must be completed in order to progress in your study.

It is particularly important to look at professional experience placement units and the terms in which they are offered.  This will ensure you complete at your projected time.

You are required to successfully complete Practice Experience 3 in the final term of study to enable CQUniversity to recommend you for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) at the completion of your degree.


Practice Experience units require successful completion of safe medication administration assessments and compulsory attendance at residential school/on-campus workshops prior to being eligible to attend professional experience placement.

Specific requirements for professional experience placement in some units may vary due to individual organisational requirements outside of CQUniversity control.

In line with accreditation requirements, aspects of the course may be subject to change during your enrolment. These changes may relate to course structure, unit names and content, professional experience placement hours and/or mandatory checks.

 

 

 

 

The proposed Master of Nursing (Graduate Entry) course will have 96 credit points.  There are 13 core units within the course.  Ten units will be 6 credit points and the 3 clinical placement units will be 12 credit points each. 

Available units
Students must complete the following compulsory units:
NURS28008 Nursing Foundations
NURS28005 First Nations History and Health
NURS28006 Evidence to Underpin Nursing Practice
NURS28007 Mental Healthcare in Nursing
NURS29003 Nursing Practice in Contexts 1
NURS29004 Practice Experience 1
BIOH28001 Pathophysiology and Pharmacology for Nurses 1
NURS29009 Nursing Practice in Contexts 2
NURS29005 Practice Experience 2
BIOH28002 Pathophysiology and Pharmacology for Nurses 2
NURS29008 Healthcare Leaders of the Future
NURS29007 Embodying Legal and Ethical Nursing Practice
NURS29006 Practice Experience 3
More Details

Inherent requirements

Inherent requirements are the fundamental abilities, attributes, skills and behaviours needed to complete the learning outcomes of a course while preserving the academic integrity of CQUniversity’s learning, assessment and accreditation processes. You must be able to demonstrate that you have acquired or have the ability to acquire the inherent requirements for the Master of Nursing (Graduate Entry) course. There are inherent requirements for this course that must be met in order to complete the course and graduate. For more information refer to the Inherent Requirements area of the Handbook.

Special Requirements

Mandatory pre-clinical checks are required to be eligible to attend professional experience placement. Please note that these can differ for each State and Territory in Australia.

Mandatory pre-clinical checks can be changed to ensure compliance with legislation and healthcare facility requirements.

The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) has a register of students enrolled in the Master of Nursing (Graduate Entry) course for the duration of their study. CQUniversity as the education provider will provide your details directly to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) for registration with Ahpra.

On successful completion of the Master of Nursing (Graduate Entry) course, you will be eligible to apply for registration as a Registered Nurse (Division 1) General with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. Prospective students should be aware that full disclosure of any issues of impairment or misconduct is a declaration requirement when applying for registration as a registered nurse. To be accepted for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, you are required to disclose: any criminal history, physical and/or psychological impairments and meet specific English language standards. For further clarification of these requirements, contact the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.

Recognition of prior learning

Credit transfer will only be granted where you are able to demonstrate that tertiary-level studies at the post-graduate level, equivalent in content and depth to the Master of Nursing (Graduate Entry) have been successfully completed. Refer to Credit Transfer for further details on the guidelines and application process.

Expected time to complete: 1.5 years or 3 years part-time.

Maximum time to complete: 7 years (to meet Recency of Practice and eligibility for registration as a nurse (Division 1) in Australia requirements as required by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia).

Maximum leave of absence: 1 year

Professional Standards and Conduct:

You are expected to behave professionally and appropriately. The use of abusive language, threatening behaviour, misuse of campus property and sexual harassment will not be tolerated. These misdemeanours will be treated as serious matters and may result in suspension or exclusion. Please ensure you are familiar with the Student Charter and Student Behavioural Misconduct Procedure, which is available on the CQU website. In addition, nurses and midwives must be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, and meet the NMBA's professional standards to practice in Australia.

Registration standards define the requirements that applicants, registrants or students need to meet to be registered.

To ensure patient safety, nurses and midwives are deemed mandatory reporters and, under National Law, are subject to making notifications about notifiable conduct. It is important to be aware that complaints or concerns can be raised about the health, conduct or performance of a registered health practitioner or student at any time.

Career Information

In the final year of the course, students usually apply for a new graduate nursing position in a hospital and health service or other healthcare organisation where they will have the opportunity to further consolidate their knowledge and skills in nursing. The broad nature of nursing and healthcare allows opportunities for employment and/or specialisation in environments such as acute hospital services, community health, mental health, residential and aged care, indigenous health, and rural and remote health.