• Completed an AQF Level 7 Bachelor of Nursing, or equivalent qualification; AND
• Current Registration as a Registered Nurse (Division 1) with the Australian Health Practitioner 
  Regulation Agency (AHPRA); AND
• Completed a minimum of one year of full-time clinical experience, or the part-time equivalent, as a registered nurse; OR
• Applicants without an AQF 7 Bachelor Degree of Nursing or equivalent qualification but hold a current Registration as a Registered Nurse (Division 1) with the Australian Practitioner Regulation Agency (APHRA) and the equivalent of year of full-time or part-time clinical work experience will be considered for the Graduate Certificate in Nursing. Upon successful completion of the Graduate Certificate, applicants will be eligible for admission to Master in Nursing with credit granted for completed units.

Advanced Standing

You may be eligible to enter into the masters with credit for past skills and/or study, known as advanced standing.
 
If you've already completed any of the units in the course in which you are enrolling, or their equivalent, you may be eligible for advanced standing. Learn more about Advanced Standing here.

Prepare for the healthcare challenges of the 21st century.

Australia requires registered nurses with advanced knowledge, skills and competencies to help drive the transformation of the Australian healthcare system.

Study with us to build on your years of experience in direct care, training, professional development, management and implementing change. With our Master of Nursing, you’ll have the credentials needed to progress into management and leadership in one of our specialist areas of Chronic Disease and Ageing, and Nursing Leadership.

Prospective career paths may include:

• Clinical nurse specialist
• Clinical research nurse
• Clinical nurse consultant
• Clinical nurse educator
• Nurse unit manager
• Leadership role in chronic disease and ageing
• Unit manager
• Director of nursing
• Executive director of nursing

On completion of this course, Australian Registered Nurses (RNs) will be eligible for the postgraduate qualification allowance.

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

1. Assess and apply current WHO and Australian Health priorities and cultural competency principles to promote community health.
2. Formulate and lead quality and safety innovations for improved patient outcomes.
3. Assume leadership for complex care coordination for clients.
4. Provide leadership in informatics and its applications to digital healthcare
5. Contribute to advancing nursing knowledge, practice and design through the evaluation of research.
6. Develop, implement and assess professional development programs for clinical settings.
7. Lead or influence nursing care in a chosen specialty area.
8. Design and undertake primary  research in a specialist area

VU Online provides you with the support you need, when you need it, during your course. Our support network has a single focus on ensuring you are entirely supported to succeed in your studies.

Our highly experienced academics are responsive and accessible and understand how to deliver a quality online learning experience. You will also be introduced to your very own Student Success Advisor, who provides motivation and one-on-one personalised assistance with non-academic matters throughout your course.

You’ll experience the support of your community through chat, virtual seminars and discussion board activity. Remember, your support network is only a phone call and email away.

A Master of Nursing from VU Online costs $2,700 per unit*, taking the total for 12 units to $32,400*.

This depends on the number of units you study and whether you are eligible for Advanced Standing, which is assessed after you submit your application.

Note that you may be eligible for the Australian Government’s loan scheme, FEE-HELP. The loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying students with the cost of a university program. It can be used for all or part of the tuition. To determine your eligibility, visit the FEE-HELP website.

*2022 student fees are shown and are subject to change.

For more information on fees and student support, download a brochure.

Studying with VU Online means that you can undertake postgraduate study without having to attend on-campus classes. This makes it easy to fit study around existing commitments including work and family. You will be able to access your coursework, resources, assignment details and individual feedback from facilitators, all from your online learning environment, VU Collaborate.

Chat with fellow students, compare research notes and collaborate on group tasks – it’s all possible with our seamless, community-focused platform.

With VU Online, you will study just one unit at a time under our award-winning Block Model. Learn about our postgraduate online Block Model with this YouTube video.

With VU Online, you can rest assured you will find support from our responsive academics and facilitators, as well as your dedicated Student Success Advisor throughout your study.

VU Online has simplified the application process, involving just three key steps.

1. Speak to one of our Student Enrolment Advisors, who will help you determine your eligibility for the program and whether it suits your career goals. Our advisor will keep you informed of all the application requirements and what to expect during the process. They can also suggest flexible study plans for your circumstances.
2. Begin your online application and submit the required documentation. This may include a copy of your CV and academic transcript.
3. Upon completing your application, you will receive a confirmation email or an email letting you know if you need to provide any additional information.

This unit examines the major concepts and principles of community health promotion including self-care, continuity of care, primary health care, health promotion, illness prevention, community assessment, family assessment and home care. This unit also examines the major concepts of cultural safety and the skills required of the nursing profession to work ethically with diverse people and communities, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.

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This unit of study focuses on the development of language and literacy in the Lower Primary context. Preservice teachers will develop a strong disciplinary understanding of how to teach across the three strands of language, literacy and literature as articulated in the Primary English Curriculum. The unit will develop pedagogical content knowledge in the teaching of reading, writing, speaking and listening. The unit also requires students to reflect on their personal literacy skills and knowledge and make connections to professional practice. Students will be introduced to the theoretical and philosophical underpinnings of how to teach literacy and language in a Lower Primary classroom. Practical approaches to the teaching of grammar, phonics, comprehension and literature will involve the study of English language conventions and structures.

This unit explores the competencies registered Nurses need to work within inter-professional teams to provide coordinated care for clients with complex needs. The unit investigates strategies for working together effectively; making informed health care decisions and ensuring continuity of care for clients. This unit provides students with essential skills in utilising available resources effectively, health coaching and consultation, and the development of care plans that meet complex care needs.

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In this unit, students will determine key safety and quality concerns within the nurse practice environment and their influence on patient outcomes. The unit requires students to formulate an approach to quality improvement that enhances an aspect of the nurse practice environment and patient outcomes in a specialised area of nursing practice.

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This unit investigates evidence-based research and its application in the healthcare setting. Students will develop and refine their skills in searching and critically reviewing and evaluating available nursing and healthcare research and evidence. Students will also learn to use critical appraisal tools to evaluate qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods research.

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This unit provides for knowledge development in complex care planning, delivery and coordination with a focus on developing knowledge about the principles, practices and relevance of client-focused practice in complex care. Themes in this unit refer to environmental social and clinical assessment, the delivery of clinical programs in the home and funding arrangements and their use to provide care.

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This unit will enable students to take leading roles in digital healthcare to ensure technology is designed and used effectively to enhance their capacity to deliver superior and safer care. Students will learn about and practice health informatics skills to assess the usability of information systems and their alignment to nursing workflow, patient safety and information needs.

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This unit prepares students to devise, design and assess professional development programs for the healthcare setting. Students will work through the process of developing an effective professional development offering by identifying a workplace learning need to be addressed. Students will then develop goals and objectives and formulate an education program to address the identified need.

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This unit will further develop students' professional knowledge and expertise in the effective coordination and delivery of specialised mental health care. Students will focus on understanding mental health disorders and how to effectively care for a person experiencing mental health issues or illness. The unit includes a critical review of psychology, to support a greater understanding of mental health disorders across the lifespan and cultural awareness when supporting patients' mental health and well-being.

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This unit develops students' capability in the provision of care and support for older persons with multiple co-morbidities that reside in a variety of health contexts. The unit aims to explore and devise innovative care interventions and models of care, for patients, family and carers.

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This unit provides knowledge and skills to support older people living with chronic conditions, along with their family and carers. Students will analyse the variety of psychological, social and physical factors that contribute to ageing and chronic disease. This unit focuses on the nurse's role as an advocate for evidence-based care, early detection, treatment and evaluation of care programs is emphasised.

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This unit will identify and clarify the role of the nurse to improve health outcomes and quality of life, for older people living with chronic disease. Unit topics include investigating the promotion of a person-centred care approach, quality safety and risk and ongoing evaluation and maintenance of independence, choice, rights and quality of life.

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In this unit, students will investigate a significant practice issue in their specialisation by undertaking a research project. Students will strengthen their evidence-based research capabilities drawing on the research project proposal from HNO6004 - Evidence and Research for Practice. Students will then engage in further evidence-based research to apply it to their specialisation healthcare setting through engaging in primary research or conducting a systematic review.

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This unit will explore the cognitive, technical and creative principles and practices required to undertake the role of manager/leader in a healthcare setting. The unit will introduce students to human resource management, financial and information management, legislative and policy development as well as education and quality and project management.

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This unit assists students in developing leadership knowledge and skills to achieve better outcomes for patients and create positive working environments. Unit content explores theories, concepts and leadership styles to help nurses further develop their leadership potential and the skills of motivating, coaching, and mentoring.

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This unit provides students with a comprehensive understanding of financial management in health care settings. The unit takes a multidisciplinary approach to develop advanced analytical, planning and decision-making skills. Students will demonstrate a variety of financial decision-making skills to take on effective business and financial management functions.

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In this unit, students will investigate a significant practice issue in their specialisation by undertaking a research project. Students will strengthen their evidence-based research capabilities drawing on the research project proposal from HNO6004 - Evidence and Research for Practice. Students will then engage in further evidence-based research to apply it to their specialisation healthcare setting through engaging in primary research or conducting a systematic review.

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