RMIT University
Full-time 1.5 years, Part-time 3 years
Become a specialist mental health nurse leader with advanced clinical expertise. This Master's degree prepares registered nurses for leadership roles in mental health nursing across diverse hospital and community settings, combining evidence-based practice with contemporary therapeutic approaches.
Applicants must hold an Australian bachelor degree in Nursing or Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing (or equivalent qualification). Current registration or eligibility for registration as a Registered Nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia is mandatory. Candidates must have completed at least 840 hours of supervised clinical practice in mental health nursing, or be currently completing this as part of a graduate year program. English language proficiency is required at IELTS Academic level 6.5 minimum (no band below 6.0) or equivalent.
The curriculum covers advanced individual and group counselling, mental health treatment modalities, contemporary nursing issues, global health perspectives, physical health assessment, psychopharmacology, leadership development, clinical teaching and mentorship, and research methods. Specific subjects include: Foundations of Mental Health Nursing, Partnerships in Mental Health, Context of Mental Health Nursing, Therapeutic Initiatives in Mental Health, Dual Diagnosis and Community Work, Mental Health Nursing Clinical Portfolio, Assessment Analysis in Mental Health Nursing, Health Inquiry Critique, Leadership Supervision and Mentoring in Health Care, Physical Assessment Therapeutics and Mental Health, Global Mental Health, and Health Research Project. The program consists of 144 credit points with flexibility to choose 12 and 24 credit point courses.
RMIT is Australia's longest-standing provider of nursing education and the leading provider of postgraduate mental health nursing education. The university maintains strong industry partnerships and connections with mental health services across Australia. RMIT's mental health nursing qualifications are linked and supported by industry partners, ensuring contemporary, evidence-based curriculum. The program benefits from exposure to real-world experience through partnerships with acute, forensic, child and adolescent, aged mental health, addictions, and homelessness services.
Graduates are well-prepared for shift leadership and care coordination roles in mental health settings. Career opportunities include positions in hospital and community mental health services across metropolitan and rural areas. With almost half of Australians experiencing mental illness at some point, mental health nurses represent the largest mental health workforce in Australia. Employment rates have increased steadily over the past decade and are forecast to continue growing. Jobs and Skills Australia projects a 12.2% increase in work opportunities for registered nurses to 2028, with a substantial workforce gap projected for mental health nursing to 2030. Graduates can seek credentialling through the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses and may pursue provider numbers for private practice or employment under the Mental Health Nurse Incentive Program.
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