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Key details
Duration
Locations
Entry requirements
View full entry requirementsCredit points required
80Course code
Overview
This course is currently undergoing accreditation with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).
The Master of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner) is an online course with some on campus attendance. The course is designed to provide core knowledge and skills needed for the expanded role of the Nurse Practitioner as described in the Standards of Practice set by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. The course is addressing experienced registered nurses who want to enhance their professional practice in areas including but not limited to expanded practice, professional autonomy with accountability, and clinical leadership.
The course builds on the knowledge you have already gained through your postgraduate studies and professional experience. Studies in the course has a focus on person-centred care that is culturally responsive and to be applied within primary, secondary or tertiary healthcare settings where a Nurse Practitioner provides care.
Intensives (on campus)
While this is an online course, you are required to complete two on-campus intensives. Each intensive is one-week long and takes place early in Semester 1 each year. Intensives are held at accredited CDU sites and students are responsible for the costs of attendance (including travel and accommodation).
Career opportunities
As an endorsed Nurse Practitioner, you can be working in public or private settings with either a broad general scope or in a narrow specialist scope.
Practical experience
You will complete at least 300 hours of supervised integrated professional practice.
Professional recognition
Graduates of this course are eligible to apply for endorsement as a Nurse Practitioner with NMBA (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia).
Credit transfers and advanced standing
Pathways
Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education
For information about credit transfer available to students with complete or incomplete study at this or other Institutions refer to Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education
Credit transfer
For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU
Credit transfers and advanced standing
Credit transfer
For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU
Fees
Commonwealth supported places
Commonwealth Supported places are available in this course to students who meet one of the following residency requirements:
(a) be an Australian citizen, who will complete some of your course of study while resident in Australia; or
(b) a New Zealand citizen; or an Australian permanent visa holder; or an eligible former permanent humanitarian visa holder; who studies the entire course while living in Australia.
Further information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.
Why study Nursing and Midwifery at CDU?
Future-proof your career in healthcare with a postgraduate nursing or midwifery degree at CDU. Delivered by passionate and expert lecturers, your learning will be guided by evidence, innovation and patient-centred care.
- #2 in Australia for postgraduate nursing starting salary (GUG 2024)
- #3 in Australia for postgraduate nursing employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- #3 in Australia for postgraduate learner engagement in nursing
- Choose to study online, on campus, part-time or full-time as it suits you
Why study Nursing and Midwifery at CDU?
Find a rewarding career in healthcare when you study nursing or midwifery at CDU. Our graduates have the academic knowledge and hands-on experience to confidently enter the workplace and deliver evidence-based care to their patients.
- Gain practical experience through placements and state-of-the-art clinical simulation suites located around Australia
- #2 in Australia for postgraduate nursing starting salary (GUG 2024)
- #3 in Australia for postgraduate nursing employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- #3 in Australia for postgraduate learner engagement in nursing
Why study Nursing and Midwifery at CDU?
Future-proof your career in healthcare with a postgraduate nursing or midwifery degree at CDU. Delivered by passionate and expert lecturers, your learning will be guided by evidence, innovation and patient-centred care.
- #2 in Australia for postgraduate nursing starting salary (GUG 2024)
- #3 in Australia for postgraduate nursing employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- #3 in Australia for postgraduate learner engagement in nursing
- Choose to study online, on campus, part-time or full-time as it suits you
Why study Nursing and Midwifery at CDU?
Find a rewarding career in healthcare when you study nursing or midwifery at CDU. Our graduates have the academic knowledge and hands-on experience to confidently enter the workplace and deliver evidence-based care to their patients.
- Gain practical experience through placements and state-of-the-art clinical simulation suites located around Australia
- #2 in Australia for postgraduate nursing starting salary (GUG 2024)
- #3 in Australia for postgraduate nursing employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- #3 in Australia for postgraduate learner engagement in nursing
What will I study?
This is a two-year part-time course with eight core units. The first year of this course provides a foundation of Nurse Practitioner core skills and knowledge applied to familiar situations.In the final year students will broaden and deepen their knowledge and skills to enhance their capability to deal with unfamiliar clients. The capability will be articulated by independent judgement and specialist decisions regarding investigation, treatment and care.
Course structure
This is a two-year part-time course with eight core units. The first year of this course provides a foundation of Nurse Practitioner core skills and knowledge applied to familiar situations.In the final year students will broaden and deepen their knowledge and skills to enhance their capability to deal with unfamiliar clients. The capability will be articulated by independent judgement and specialist decisions regarding investigation, treatment and care.
A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 80 credit points (cp) as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless otherwise indicated.
| Unit type | Credit Points | Specific requirements |
Core Units | 80cp | Compulsory Core units totalling 80 credit points as per the list of units detailed below: NUR511 Assess, Examine, Investigate & Diagnose A # ## NUR512 Assess, Examine, Investigate & Diagnose B # NUR513 Nurse Practitioner Integrated Professional Practice 1 ## NUR515 Pharmacotherapeutics for Independent Prescribers ## NUR517 Transition to Nurse Practitioner Practice NUR614 Nurse Practitioner Integrated Professional Practice 2 ## HEA527 Research Skills for Health Professionals HEA550 Nursing and Midwifery Professional Leadership |
| 80cp | Total Credit Points |
Course Rules (unless otherwise indicated in the above course structure)
- See the Higher Education Course Rules (Award Requirements) in the Units and Courses Policy.
# Simulation block: Students are required to attend a 5-day on-campus simulation block as a part of this unit.
## Work Integrated Learning: Students are required to complete the supernumerary, integrated professional practice as a part of this unit.
# ## Simulation block and Work Integrated Learning: Students are required to attend both on-campus simulation block and professional practice.
Study plan
STUDENTS COMMENCING IN SEMESTER 1
The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student enrolling in a full-time study load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.
When designing an individual study plan:
- maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
- check the prerequisite and assumed knowledge for each unit as some units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level.
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit |
Full-Time Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| NUR517 Transition to Nurse Practitioner Practice | CO | NUR513 Nurse Practitioner Integrated Professional Practice 1 ## | CO |
| NUR511 Assess, Examine, Investigate & Diagnose A # ## (includes a one-week intensive) | CO | HEA550 Nursing and Midwifery Professional Leadership | CO |
| Year 2 | |||
| NUR515 Pharmacotherapeutics for Independent Prescribers ## | CO | HEA527 Research Skills for Health Professionals | CO |
| NUR512 Assess, Examine, Investigate & Diagnose B # (includes a one-week intensive) | CO | NUR614 Nurse Practitioner Integrated Professional Practice 2 ## | CO |
# Simulation block: Students are required to attend a 5-day on-campus simulation block as a part of this unit.
## Work Integrated Learning: Students are required to complete the supernumerary, integrated professional practice as a part of this unit.
# ## Simulation block and Work Integrated Learning: Students are required to attend both on-campus simulation block and professional practice.
Top of Page
_____________________________________
STUDENTS COMMENCING IN SEMESTER 2
There is no Semester 2 intake for this course.
Entry requirements
Quota
This course is a highly competitive course with a limited number of places. This means that although you may meet the minimum entry requirements for the course, you may not be ranked high enough to receive an offer. Subquotas are in place for First Nation People and NT Resident applicants.
Admission criteria
Applicants must:
A. hold a current general registration as a registered nurse and an unrestricted licence to practice as a registered nurse in Australia, with no condition on registration related to unsatisfactory professional performance or unprofessional conduct; and
B. have a minimum of 3600 hours of clinical practice as a registered nurse and, in addition, have a minimum of 1800 hours of current, clinically based advanced nursing practice assessed against a validated tool for advanced practice before entry to the nurse practitioner program; and
C. have completed a postgraduate qualification(degree) at AQF level 8, i.e. postgraduate certificate or higher in a clinical field; and
D. provide evidence from an approved health care organisation that support the applicant and the practicum requirements, including supervision and clinical support for a minimum of 300 hours of supernumerary integrated professional practice during the course.
*current means within the previous six years
Essential requirements
Reporting Obligations
Under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law, CDU is required to register nursing students with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and to notify AHPRA if a student has or develops a health impairment that may place the public at substantial risk of harm. More information from the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) at www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/.
Pre-clinical Requirements:
You must provide proof that you have met all university and State/Territory pre-clinical requirements before starting integrated professional practice. These requirements include, but are not limited to:
. Immunisation requirements as per workplace requirements with completion of FoH Immunisation Compliance Form https://www.cdu.edu.au/files/2026-01/foh-immunisation-compliance-form.pdf
. Annual National Police Check https://www.afp.gov.au/our-services/national-police-checks - 3rd party checks not accepted
. Working with children check - State-based
. Fitness-to-practice requirements and evidence of current AHPRA registration
English language requirements
DOMESTIC STUDENTS
To gain entry into Charles Darwin University, all Higher Education applicants must satisfy the University's English Language Proficiency Requirements for their chosen course of study. All applicants will be required to supply evidence of this at the time of application.
The minimum English language requirement for this course can be met by evidencing of one of the following:
| Year 12 | Successful completion of Year 12 within Australia, or an equivalent qualification from an approved country where English is the official language (refer to our approved standard and extended lists included below). |
| 0.5 FTE Higher Education Study | Successful completion of at least 0.5FTE of higher education study from Australia or an approved country where English is the official language (refer to our approved standard and extended lists included below). If studies were completed from a country on the extended list, they must have been completed within the past five (5) years. |
| CDU Enabling Course | Successful completion of a Charles Darwin University enabling program of at least 0.5FTE (40 credit points). |
| TAFE Qualification | Successful completion of a recognised TAFE qualification at a Certificate III level or higher from Australia. |
| AHPRA Registration | Current AHPRA registration as a Division 1 or Division 2 nurse. Registration must be current at the time of course commencement. |
| English Test^ | Completion of an approved English test within two years of commencement, meeting the minimum scores outlined in the table below. |
^ Minimum Requirements for English Tests:
| Postgraduate requirements | Undergraduate requirements | |
| CDU ELICOS - English for Academic Purposes | Successful completion of EAP004 | Successful completion of EAP003 |
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic test | Overall minimum: 6.5 No band below: 6.0 | Overall minimum: 6.0 No band below 6.0 |
| Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) | Overall minimum: 176 No skill below: 169 | Overall minimum: 169 No skill below 169 |
| Pearson Tests of English (PTE) Academic | Overall minimum: 58 No score below 50 | Overall minimum: 50 No score below: 50 |
| Test of English as a Foreign language | Overall minimum: 79 Minimum writing score: 21 | Overall minimum: 60 Minimum writing score: 21 |
IELTS One Skill Retake is accepted, allowing candidates to retake a single skill within 60 days of sitting their initial test. One Skill Retake results are valid for two years from the date of the first test (not from the date of the Retake test) to the date of commencement at CDU.
CDU accepts combined results from two test sittings of IELTS Academic, PTE Academic, or TOEFL, taken within a six-month period, if:
- Both tests were under the same testing system; and
- The overall score in both tests meets the overall minimum; and
- The applicant achieved the section minimum for each section in at least one test.
Recognised English-speaking countries:
| Standard List | Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States of America. |
| Extended List | Bermuda, Botswana, Cayman Islands, Ethiopia, Fiji, Kenya, Malawi, Malta, Mauritius, Seychelles, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Vanuatu, Zimbabwe. |
For further details on the English requirements for CDU courses, please refer to the CDU English Language Proficiency Policy.
The people-first approach to flexibility and supportive learning environment at CDU meant I could find a balance with study, work and family life.
Nikki
CDU student
It’s a two-way education, educators here listen to us as much as we listen to them, so classroom experiences are amazing. I’ve also made a lot of friends through our regular group assignments or projects.
Farhana
CDU student
The people-first approach to flexibility and supportive learning environment at CDU meant I could find a balance with study, work and family life.
Nikki
CDU student
It’s a two-way education, educators here listen to us as much as we listen to them, so classroom experiences are amazing. I’ve also made a lot of friends through our regular group assignments or projects.
Farhana
CDU student
Course details
Accreditation
This course is accredited by the University in accordance with the Higher Education Standards.
Inherent Requirements
There are inherent requirements for this course. Students must read and understand the requirements for this course.
Australian qualification framework
This course is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9.
Additional information
Contact details
For further information about the course, enrolment procedures, closing dates and other administrative issues please contact Student Central on:
You make CDU
Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.
Learn about nursing at CDU
Reeya is from Nepal studying a Bachelor of Nursing at CDU. Hear more about her experience of studying, living, working and playing in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
You make CDU
Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.
Learn about nursing at CDU
Reeya is from Nepal studying a Bachelor of Nursing at CDU. Hear more about her experience of studying, living, working and playing in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
How to apply
There are many ways to apply to CDU. The method you use depends on your course type, where you live and whether you are a new or returning student to CDU.
Remember to apply early for your best chance at securing an offer to study with us.
SATAC
SATAC is the application channel for residents of NT, ACT, SA, WA, QLD, VIC, NSW or TAS.
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