Duration
2 years part-time

Study intakes
Jan, Mar, May, Jul, Sep, Oct

Fees
$2,600 per unit, FEE-HELP available

Units
12 (6 weeks)

Applications are now open for the Master of Nursing. Apply online through our Admissions Centre.

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Course overview

Victoria University’s (VU) Master of Nursing, with specialisations in Chronic Disease and Aged Care, Leadership and Palliative Care, is designed for registered nurses to transform the delivery of health care services in Australia. The course prepares nurses for the challenges of clinical leadership, research and advanced practice roles in their chosen specialisation.

Each course is delivered 100% online giving students the flexibility to fit study around their busy personal and professional lives. At VU, we take a personalised 1:1 approach to online learning, which makes learning with us highly interactive and supportive.

The course is delivered in VU’s revolutionary ‘block’ model where students take one unit at a time and complete their entire degree part-time in 2 years. This means students finish their degree faster by completing units more quickly than in many traditional part-time postgraduate courses. At the same time, students can slow their study down at any time they wish to meet the demands of work or family.

Across 12 specialist units of study – from Promoting Cultural Competence and Community Health to the Research Project – students will develop the skills demanded of today's senior nurse leader.

With 25 years' experience delivering postgraduate courses in Australia, VU has equipped thousands of students – from all walks of life – with the skills and insights to successfully reach their unique career goals including promotion, salary increase and leadership in nursing.

Specialisations

The global population is living longer and this has resulted in an increase of progressive and life-limiting illnesses nationally and internationally. Now, more than ever, skilled palliative care professionals are needed in the health workforce to provide patients approaching the end of life with responsive, patient-centred palliative care.

The Palliative Care specialisation provides registered nurses with the knowledge to develop expertise in the provision of palliative care. Graduates with a Master of Nursing (Palliative Care) will acquire the knowledge and skills specific to palliation and clinical decision making with adults or older persons from diverse cultural groups within community settings or residential aged care with a life limiting illness. Graduates of the course will become well versed in End of Life (EoL) Care and how to best provide EoL Care in hospitals, the community and other healthcare settings.  With this knowledge graduates will be prepared to address and document patient and family wishes regarding interventions and care in the event of clinical decline in both mental and physical function.

To be a successful leader or manager, registered nurses need to understand the challenges that currently impact on healthcare. Now, more than ever, nurses with high-level leadership knowledge and skills are needed to achieve better outcomes for patients and create positive working environments.

The Leadership specialisation provides registered nurses with the knowledge to develop expertise in the provision of nursing leadership and a comprehensive understanding of financial management in health care settings. Graduates with a Master of Nursing (Leadership) will be prepared to shape the development and delivery of health care services, specifically clinical leadership and successfully managing teams. Graduates of the course will acquire specific skills and a key understanding of the latest nursing leadership knowledge.  With this knowledge graduates will acquire the leadership skills needed across a variety of nursing education contexts including curriculum development.

As the national and global population ages, registered nurses increasingly need advanced capabilities in the provision of care and support for older persons with multiple co-morbidities that reside in a variety of health contexts. Nurses who have the knowledge and skills to identify and clarify the role of the nurse to improve health outcomes and quality of life, for older people living with chronic disease will be primed to provide advanced clinical knowledge and advice across the full spectrum of healthcare settings

The Chronic Disease and Ageing specialisation provides registered nurses with a solid knowledge base to devise innovative care interventions and models of care, for patients, family and carers. Graduate with a Master of Nursing (Chronic Disease and Ageing) will acquire client-centred strategies to plan, assess, implement, evaluate and support, and care for older individuals living with complex comorbidities/chronic health conditions. Graduates of the course will acquire specific skills to implement evidence-based approaches that incorporate integrated care and self-management interventions to improve overall health of the older person. With this knowledge graduates will be better places to advocate for evidence-based care, early detection, treatment and evaluation of care programs.

Course detail

To apply for the online Master of Nursing you are required to have:

  • Completed an AQF Level 7 Bachelor of Nursing, or equivalent qualification AND
  • Registration as a Registered Nurse (Division 1) OR Registered Midwife with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) OR equivalent registration with the relevant registering authority for applicants outside of Australia AND
  • Completed a minimum of one year of full-time clinical experience, or the part-time equivalent, as a registered nurse.

Students may choose to exit midway through the course, in which case they may graduate with a Graduate Diploma in Nursing, consisting of eight units.

Prepare for the healthcare challenges of 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:

  • Chronic Disease and Ageing
  • Leadership
  • Palliative Care.

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

  • VU Online provides you with the support you need, when you need it, throughout your entire course. We are here to help you succeed.
  • Our highly experienced academics are responsive and accessible by phone and email. You will have your very own Student Success Advisor, who will keep you motivated and provide one-on-one personalised assistance with any non-academic matters throughout your course.
  • You won't be alone – you will have access to support from your academics and online students through chat, virtual seminars and discussion board activity.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this course, students 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.