Master of Advanced Nursing Practice

The course provides registered nurses with the knowledge. confidence and skills to provide specialist nursing care to consumers at the level of an advanced practitioner. Masters prepared nurses assume responsibility for establishing new professional roles, devising new models of care and leading dynamic changes to practice.

The first year of study provides the opportunity for students to extend their existing nursing knowledge and develop skills in an area of specialty practice. The second year of study builds on this specialisation by focus on advanced practice skills and knowledge. Specifically it will prepare registered nurses for leadership roles in nursing. Within the course there is a pathway that prepares students for endorsement as a Nurse Practitioner.

Enrolment in clinical components of the MANP requires students to meet the registration and clinical experience requirements outlined in the Admission Requirements section. Applicants must also have the support of their current employer to facilitate completion of specialty clinical competencies.

Graduates of the MANP will demonstrate:

• a comprehensive knowledge of relevant research literature related to your field of practice
• the capacity to critically think, problem-solve, seek, retrieve and evaluate information
• the ability to analyse the socio-political influences on nursing practice
• the ability to explore and evaluate the status of (and potential for) advanced nursing practice in national and international contexts
• be able to undertake an assessment of your practice, develop a plan and complete a planned program of knowledge and skill development
• mastery of knowledge and skills to support extension to practice and the development of therapeutic and evidence-based nursing interventions in your work environment
• the ability to develop, implement and undertake new and innovative practices within legislative and professional boundaries
• attained oral and written communication skills to support advanced practice
• developed planning, time management and teamwork skills to support advanced practice
• knowledge and skills to support culturally competent practice, leadership and/or education relevant to advanced practice in your chosen specialty practice

The course comprises 100 credit points of study in the first year and 100 credit points in the second year. In the first year, students undertake a program of study identical to the Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing Practice or Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing. To enrol in subjects with clinical components applicants must meet the registration and clinical experience requirements outlined in the Admission requirements section. In addition applicants must also have the support of their current employer to facilitate completion of specialty clinical competencies.

In the second year, students enter one of three pathways:

Pathway 1 comprises 100 credit points of coursework subjects. To achieve a specialisation award, assessment tasks completed in the second year must share the specialty focus of first year studies.

Pathway 2 comprises 50 credit points of coursework subjects and a 50 credit point minor thesis.

Pathway 3 comprises 100 credit points of prescribed subjects that lead to endorsement as a Nurse Practitioner with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).

Pathway 1 - coursework

Students are required to undertake at least one research subject in their second year of study (we recommend NURS90070).

The remaining subjects are selected from the elective subjects listed below.

NURS90070 Implementing Evidence for Practice

NURS90067 Health Assessment for Advanced Practice 1

NURS90069 Clinical Leadership in Context

NURS70002 Research in Practice

NURS90071 Applications of Clinical Pharmacology

Pathway 2 - Minor Thesis

The Minor Thesis is the pathway recommended for students considering future research and higher degree studies.

Students undertake at least one research subject in their second year of study (we recommend NURS70002).

Pathway 3 - Nurse Practitioner

This is a prescribed study pathway that meets the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) requirements for endorsement as a Nurse Practitioner.

Second Year Master of Advanced Nursing Practice elective subjects

All second-year MANP subjects are listed below with their semester and credit point waiting.

Admission requirements for all specialty and advanced practice courses:

• a Bachelor of Nursing (or equivalent training)
• at least one year of clinical experience as a registered Division 1, 3 or 4 nurse within the five years prior to applying for the course
• current unrestricted registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (formerly the Nurses Board of Victoria) in Division 1, 3 or 4 of the Register (courses with clinical components only)
• current employment and clinical support in your specialty area (courses with clinical components only)
• meet the University of Melbourne's English language requirements

If you are applying for the Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing Practice or Postgraduate Certificate in Nursing Practice or a clinical specialisation in the Master of Advanced Nursing Practice, you must provide evidence of current clinical employment and support by submitting a completed Confirmation of Clinical Employment and Support Form with your application.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR NURSE PRACTITIONER STREAM

• Bachelor Degree of Nursing;
• Meet the University of Melbourne English language requirements;
• Current general registration as a registered nurse with no conditions on registration relating to unsatisfactory professional performance or unprofessional conduct ;

• The equivalent of five (5) years full-time experience as a registered nurse with three (3) years in specialty practice and one (1) year in an advanced practice nursing role, within the past six (6) years;

• Postgraduate qualification in nursing practice, or equivalent***;

• Documentation of employer support and multidisciplinary mentorship arrangement necessary to undertake extensions to practice in the workplace or related agencies.

*Requirement of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia for endorsement as a Nurse Practitioner is the equivalent of three (3) years full-time experience in an advanced nursing role, within the past six (6) years from the date when the complete application seeking endorsement as a Nurse Practitioner is received by the Board.

** Advanced practice nursing defines a level of nursing practice that uses extended and expanded skills, experience and knowledge in assessment, planning, implementation, diagnosis and evaluation of the nursing care required. Nurses practising at this level are educationally prepared at postgraduate level and may work in a specialist or generalist capacity. (Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council (ANMC) 2006).

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's courses. This course requires all students to enrol in subjects where they must actively and safely contribute to clinical/field work activities. Students who feel their disability will impact on meeting this requirement are encouraged to discuss this matter with the Course Coordinator and the Disability Liaison Unit.

The Melbourne Experience enables our graduates to become:

• Academically excellent:
  • have a strong sense of intellectual integrity and the ethics of scholarship
  • have in-depth knowledge of their specialist discipline(s)
  • reach a high level of achievement in writing, generic research activities, problem-solving and communication
  • be critical and creative thinkers, with an aptitude for continued self-directed learning
  • be adept at learning in a range of ways, including through information and communication technologies
• Knowledgeable across disciplines:
  • examine critically, synthesise and evaluate knowledge across a broad range of disciplines
  • expand their analytical and cognitive skills through learning experiences in diverse subjects
  • have the capacity to participate fully in collaborative learning and to confront unfamiliar problems
  • have a set of flexible and transferable skills for different types of employment
• Leaders in communities:
  • initiate and implement constructive change in their communities, including professions and workplaces
  • have excellent interpersonal and decision-making skills, including an awareness of personal strengths and limitations
  • mentor future generations of learners
  • engage in meaningful public discourse, with a profound awareness of community needs
• Attuned to cultural diversity:
  • value different cultures
  • be well-informed citizens able to contribute to their communities wherever they choose to live and work
  • have an understanding of the social and cultural diversity in our community
  • respect indigenous knowledge, cultures and values
• Active global citizens:
  • accept social and civic responsibilities
  • be advocates for improving the sustainability of the environment
  • have a broad global understanding, with a high regard for human rights, equity and ethics