Handbook : Course informationEdith Cowan University

Course Information

Master of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner)

Effective from 01-JAN-2020 : Code L88

This course builds upon a student's foundation and experience as a specialist Registered Nurse with advanced practice abilities. Course learning experience will include study of the biophysical, social, cultural, political and clinical sciences that underpin professional practice of the nurse practitioner. Furthermore, learning experience across all units in the course will enhance and apply students knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples history and specific health needs. Study in this course includes development of new clinical skills that incorporate practice activities that extend beyond the scope of practice of the Registered Nurse, as well as the professional, legal and ethical behaviours necessary to support this practice within a nursing model of care into the future.

Disclaimer

This course information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester. In particular please check the course requirements and the unit and unit set offerings, as these differ according to course delivery location.

Practicum Requirement

As part of Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) requirements, students will be required to undertake supernumerary practical work experience located in a primary care setting of the students choice during Semester 1, and in the students specialist clinical area in Semester 3. Students will be required to complete a clinical practice log book and specified clinical learning outcomes.

Implications of failing

Students are required to successfully complete all practicum units to graduate from the course.

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Reflect critically on a complex body of specialist nursing knowledge, research principles and methods to demonstrate mastery of nursing practice.
2. Apply cognitive, technical and creative skills to investigate, evaluate and synthesise complex ideas, concepts and theories in authentic nurse practitioner situations.
3. Apply and model communication and collaboration skills to analyse and design innovative contributions to professional practice.
4. Use high level self-management skills to initiate, plan and execute a substantial research-based project.

Registration

Graduates of this course will be eligible to apply to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) for endorsement to practice under the title of Nurse Practitioner.

Admission requirements

Admission requirement (Band 8)

• Bachelor degree in a cognate discipline; or
• Where accepted, equivalent prior learning, including at least five years relevant professional experience.

English Language requirement (Band 4)

English competency requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

• IELTS Academic Overall band minimum score of 6.5 (no individual band less than 6.0);
• Bachelor degree from a country specified in the Admissions Policy;
• Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at postgraduate level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent);
• Where accepted, equivalent prior learning, including at least five years relevant professional experience; or
• Other tests, courses or programs as defined in the Admissions Policy.

Course Specific Admission Requirements

All applicants are required to have current registration as a Registered Nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA), and have a Bachelor of Nursing, with equivalents considered, and have a postgraduate qualification in their specialty area (postgraduate certificate or postgraduate diploma (AQF Level 8) or a higher qualification), and have five years full-time post-registration experience, of which three years must be in the chosen specialty area and one year at Advanced Practice level. Evidence of this is to be provided in a Curriculum Vitae, along with evidence of the professional associations' membership and ongoing contribution to the profession. Applicants are also required to be working a minimum of 20 hours per week in their specialty area, provide a letter of support from their employer, as well as a letter of support from a nominated Professional Mentor and a Clinical Mentor. The Professional Mentor must be an endorsed Nurse Practitioner for at least three years and the Clinical Mentor should either be an endorsed Nurse Practitioner for at least three years, or a Registered Medical Officer with at least three years’ experience in specialty area at registrar level or higher. While this masters degree is Professionally Accredited by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council and recognised and by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia NMBA as an approved program of study for Nurse Practitioners, completion of the master's degree will not in itself result in graduates receiving automatic endorsement as a Nurse Practitioner with AHPRA. Please contact AHPRA for details of the process to becoming endorsed in this regard.

International students are required to provide an IELTS Academic with an overall minimum score of 7.0 (no individual band less than 7.0) or any other equivalent test approved by AHPRA. Internationally schooled applicants may also be required to meet this requirement.

Minimum English standard requirements for this course may also be satisfied with one of the following:

• Bachelor degree from an approved country;
• Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at postgraduate level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent); or
• Where accepted, equivalent prior learning, including at least five years relevant professional experience.

Course Duration

• Full Time: 1.5 Years
• Part Time: 3 Years

Course Delivery

• Online: Full Time, Part Time

Course Coordinator

Ms Helena Sara HALTON

Course Structure