Master of Advanced Nursing

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 specialty practice.

The second year of study builds on this specialisation by focusing on advanced practice skills and knowledge. Specifically it will prepare students for clinical leadership roles in nursing and healthcare.

On completion of the Master of Advanced Nursing the student will have achieved the following learning outcomes.

• Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of relevant research literature related to a chosen specialty field of Advanced Nursing Practice.
• The ability to analyse key social and political influences on the delivery of specialist and Advanced Practice Nursing service/s;
• The knowledge and skills required to explore and evaluate the status of (and potential for) Advanced Nursing Practice in national and international contexts;
• Knowledge and skills to support extension to practice and the development of therapeutic and evidence-based nursing interventions in specialty and Advanced Nursing Practice;
• The skills required to develop, implement and undertake new and innovative practices within established legislative and professional boundaries;
• Knowledge and skills to support culturally competent practice, leadership and/or education relevant to specialty and Advanced Nursing Practice.

The Master of Advanced Nursing prepares graduates to assume a major responsibility in developing new professional roles, devising new models of care and overseeing dynamic changes to practice. In the second year two streams are offered.

Stream 1 Coursework - comprises 150 credit points: 2x 12.5pt (Graduate Certificate Specialty Subjects) + 6x 12.5cp (Core) + 1x 25cp (Capstone) + 2 x 12.5cp (Elective)

Stream 2 Minor Thesis - comprises 150 credit points: 2x 25cp (Minor Thesis) + 1 x 25cp (Capstone) + 1 x 25cp (Core Selective) + 2x 12.5cp (Elective)

Core subjects for Coursework students

Students must complete all of the core subjects

Click here to view Graduate Certificate specialty subjects

Core subjects for Minor Thesis students

Students must complete all of the core subjects plus one 12.5cp core selective subject.

** Please note that NURS70003 is taken twice for a total enrolment of 50 credit points.

Core Selective subjects for Minor Thesis students

Minor Thesis students must complete one of the following core selective subjects

Elective subjects

1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed either:

• a Master of Nursing Science, or
• a Bachelor of Nursing (or equivalent qualification); and
• at least one year of documented clinical experience as a Registered Nurse within the preceding five years from the time of application.

2. In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:

• prior academic performance
• the clinical experience.

3. The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Academic Board rules on the use of selection instruments.

4. Applicants are required to satisfy the university’s English language requirements for postgraduate courses. For those applicants seeking to meet these requirements by one of the standard tests approved by the Academic Board, performance band 6.5 is required.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

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 programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

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, problemsolving 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

At the completion of this course, students should be able to demonstrate:

• the capacity for information seeking, retrieval and evaluation;
• critical thinking and analytical skills;
• an openness to new ideas;
• the ability to communicate scientific knowledge through oral, written and web based media.
• professional leadership skills.