Charles Darwin University
3 years part-time
This Master's degree prepares experienced registered nurses to become leaders in their clinical specialty through advanced study in evidence-based practice, professional leadership, and specialized nursing care. Delivered online part-time, it's designed for working nurses seeking career progression in hospital, community, or primary health care settings.
Applicants must hold a recognised bachelor degree in nursing or equivalent international qualification and maintain current registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) as a Division 1 Registered Nurse. Hospital-trained nurses with current AHPRA registration are also considered. For most specialisations (Medical, Perioperative, Primary Health Care, Renal, Surgical, Mental Health, and Older Person Nursing), applicants must demonstrate current or recent employment for a minimum of 12 months full-time equivalent in their chosen nursing specialty. For Clinical Education and Safety and Quality specialisations, 12 months full-time equivalent employment in a health-related field is required. Domestic students must meet standard English language proficiency requirements for higher education.
The degree comprises 120 credit points structured across three years of part-time study. Core units (80 credit points) include Evidence in Health Care (20cp), Diversity and Inclusion in Health, Nursing and Midwifery Professional Leadership, and two Health Professional Project units (20cp each). Students select 40 credit points from one of nine specialist elective streams: Clinical Education covers learning theory and clinical education design; Medical Nursing includes cardiac, endocrinology, neurological, and respiratory nursing; Surgical Nursing encompasses gastrointestinal, orthopaedic, cardiothoracic, and trauma nursing; Perioperative Nursing covers anaesthetics and recovery or scrub/scout nursing; Mental Health Nursing addresses therapeutic relationships and substance use disorders; Primary Health Care Nursing includes remote and urban primary health care; Safety and Quality focuses on healthcare safety systems; Older Person Nursing Care addresses aging populations; and Renal Nursing (from 2028) specialises in contemporary renal care. Some units require attendance at 3-day on-campus simulation blocks.
Charles Darwin University is ranked #2 in Australia for postgraduate nursing starting salary and #3 for postgraduate nursing employment outcomes (GUG 2024), with #3 ranking for postgraduate learner engagement in nursing. CDU's nursing and midwifery programs are delivered by passionate expert lecturers guided by evidence, innovation, and patient-centred care. The university offers flexible study options (online, on-campus, part-time, full-time) and provides practical experience through placements and state-of-the-art clinical simulation suites located across Australia, ensuring graduates have both academic knowledge and hands-on experience for confident workplace entry.
Graduates of the Master of Clinical Nursing are well-positioned for leadership roles across diverse healthcare settings. Career opportunities include specialist practice positions in chosen nursing areas, leadership and management roles within hospitals and community health services, and advancement as leaders in the nursing profession. The qualification prepares nurses for senior clinical positions, nursing management roles, and specialist practice leadership across public and private healthcare sectors, as well as community and primary health care settings. Graduates can pursue roles in clinical education, quality and safety leadership, and advanced nursing practice in their chosen specialisation.
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