Key details
Duration
Intake
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Entry requirements
View full entry requirementsCredit points required
160Course code
Overview
APPLICATIONS FOR 2023 ARE CURRENTLY NOT OPEN
If you already hold a Bachelor's degree, the Master of Nursing Practice (Pre-Registration) enables you to become a registered nurse in as little as two years.
The Master of Nursing Practice (Pre-Registration) is a professionally-accredited course that qualifies you to register as a Registered Nurse (Division 1) in Australia. It is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.
At CDU, you can study a Master of Nursing Practice (Pre-Registration) online or on campus, part-time or full-time. You'll benefit from flexible and supportive study as you pursue a career change, and you'll join our cohort of more than 4,000 nursing students across Australia.
During the course, you'll learn critical thinking, to use sound clinical reasoning, to undertake comprehensive health assessments and how to practice patient-centred care. The focus is on care that is evidence-based and respectful of the diverse contexts, cultures and communities where people live, connect and experience health, well-being, illness and disability.
Studying a Master of Nursing (Pre-Registration) online
CDU is one of the first universities in Australia to deliver nursing degrees online, and we've been offering distance education for more than 30 years.
As an online nursing student, you'll have access to 24/7 technical and academic support, an easy-to-use online learning platform, and be supported with placements and practical training close to your home.
Online study is only available to domestic students (Australian and New Zealand citizens, Australian permanent residents, and holders of Australian humanitarian visas).
Practical training
To meet the requirements of a Registered Nurse (Division 1), you will complete at least 800 hours of supervised clinical placements across the two years of the course in a variety of health care settings.
Regardless of your study mode or pattern, you are required to complete clinical placement on a fulltime basis, with rotating shifts across a seven-day week. These may include night, weekend and public holiday shifts.
If you're studying online, CDU will arrange placements close to your home.
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 available on Student Registration is available on the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia website.
Professional recognition
Graduates of the Master of Nursing (pre-registration) meet the education criterion to apply for registration as a Division 1 Nurse with Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
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
Fees
Non-Commonwealth supported places
Full fee paying places are available in this course.
2022: Information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.
2023: Information about fees and charges will be published no later than 1 December 2022.
International tuition fees
The annual tuition fee for full time study is AUD $32,850.40. This equates to $4,106.30 per 10 credit point unit (0.125 EFTSL).
These fees are subject to increases annually, effective at the start of each calendar year.
You can find a list of International fees and payments you can expect to pay as part of your studies in Australia.
CDU offers a number of scholarships to international students to assist with the cost of study.
Why study at CDU?
Study a postgraduate course at Charles Darwin University to upskill at work, fast-track your career, increase your job prospects or explore a new interest. We offer flexible study options so you don't have to put your life on hold while you learn.
- #1 Australian uni for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2022)
- Top 100 university globally for quality education
- Our graduates enjoy higher than average employment rates and starting salaries
What will I study?
This 160-credit point course consists of fifteen core units.
Course structure
A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 160 credit points as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless indicated.
| Unit type | Credit Points | Specific requirements |
| Core (15 units) | 160cp | Compulsory Core units totalling 160 credit points as detailed below: NUR530 Science for Nursing Practice (simulation block) |
| Total | 160cp | Total credit points |
Students who commenced in or after 2013
The grade of "PC" cannot be counted towards a Masters Degree by Coursework AQF Level 9 course award.
Students should refer to the current Grading Policy and Common Course Rules for further information.
Study plan
Students commencing in Semester 1
The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student commencing in semester 1 and enrolling in a standard full time and part time 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.
Full-time Study Plan
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit |
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| NUR530 Science for Nursing Practice * | CO | NUR534 Primary Health Care | CO |
| NUR531 Indigenous Health and Social Justice | CO | NUR535 Bioscience for Nursing Practice | CO |
| NUR532 Professional Practice | CO | NUR536 Communication, Health Informatics and Technology | CO |
| NUR533 Practice Experience 1 ** | CO | NUR537 Practice Experience 2** | CO |
| Year 2 | |||
| NUR538 Mental Health | CO | NUR542 Contemporary Nursing practice 2 * | CO |
| NUR539 Contemporary Nursing Practice 1 * | CO | NUR543 Leadership in Clinical Practice | CO |
| NUR540 Research for Healthcare Practice | CO | NUR600 Practice Experience 4 (20cp) ** | CO |
| NUR541 Practice Experience 3 ** | CO | ||
* Simulation block: Students are required to attend a 32 hour (4 days) on-campus simulation block as a part of this unit.
** Work Integrated Learning: Students are required to attend the clinical placement hours as allocated by CDU Placement Office.
Part-time Study Plan
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit |
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| NUR530 Science for Nursing Practice * | CO | NUR534 Primary Health Care | CO |
| NUR531 Indigenous Health and Social Justice | CO | NUR535 Bioscience for Nursing Practice | CO |
| Year 2 | |||
| NUR532 Professional Practice | CO | NUR536 Communication, Health Informatics and Technology | CO |
| NUR533 Practice Experience 1 ** | CO | NUR537 Practice Experience 2** | CO |
| Year 3 | |||
| NUR538 Mental Health | CO | NUR541 Practice Experience 3 ** | CO |
| NUR539 Contemporary Nursing Practice 1 * | CO | NUR543 Leadership in Clinical Practice | CO |
| Year 4 | |||
| NUR542 Contemporary Nursing Practice 2 * | CO | NUR600 Practice Experience 4 (20cp) ** | CO |
| NUR540 Research for Healthcare Practice | CO | ||
* Simulation block: Students are required to attend a 32 hour (4 days) on-campus simulation block as a part of this unit.
** Work Integrated Learning: Students are required to attend the clinical placement hours as allocated by CDU Placement Office.
| Units with Prerequisites | Prerequisite |
| NUR534 Primary Health Care | NUR530 |
| NUR535 Bioscience for Nursing Practice | NUR530 |
| NUR536 Communication, Health Informatics and Technology | NUR532 |
| NUR537 Practice Experience 2 | NUR530, NUR533 |
| NUR538 Mental Health | NUR537, NUR533, NUR535 |
| NUR539 Contemporary Nursing Practice 1 | NUR537, NUR535 |
| NUR540 Research for Healthcare Practice | NUR532, NUR356 |
| NUR541 Practice Experience 3 | NUR530, NUR533 |
| NUR542 Contemporary Nursing Practice 2 | NUR539, NUR541 |
| NUR543 Leadership in Clinical Practice | NUR536, NUR540 |
| NUR600 Practice Experience 4 | NUR539, NUR538, NUR541 |
Entry requirements
Admission criteria
APPLICATIONS FOR 2023 ARE CURRENTLY NOT OPEN
Successful completion of a recognised bachelor degree or equivalent international qualification.
Additional admission requirements
Nursing students must meet a specific level of English language proficiency before they start in a course.
You can show English language proficiency by:
- completing a declaration that English is your primary language, or
- sitting an English language proficiency test.
All applicants are required to meet the English Language Skills Registration Standard as outlined by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) at www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/.
Applicants will be required to submit the following via their application to demonstrate they meet the above standard prior to being included in offer rounds in one of the following ways:
1. PRIMARY LANGUAGE PATHWAY:
A signed English Language Declaration indicating the following:
- English is their primary language; and
- They have attended and satisfactorily completed at least six years of primary and secondary education taught and assessed solely in English in a recognised country*, including at least two years between years 7 and 12.
*Recognised countries: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom, and USA.
OR
2. ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEST PATHWAY
Applicants have achieved and can supply evidence of the required minimum scores in one of the following English language tests:
- IELTS (Academic) Minimum Scores
Band score of 7.0 in all bands
(IELTS Indicator test is not accepted) - TOEFL Minimum Scores
Internet-based: total score of 94 with a minimum of 27 in Writing, 23 in Speaking and 24 in Reading and Listening
(TOEFL Home edition test is not accepted) - Pearson Test of English (Academic) Minimum Scores
Overall score of 65 AND Skills profile of 65 in Writing, Speaking, Reading and Listening - Occupational English Test (OET)
A minimum result of B/score of 350 in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking).
TOEFL Home edition and IELTS Indicator tests are not accepted for entry to Nursing courses
Essential requirements
Pre-clinical requirements:
Students must provide proof that they have met all university and State/Territory pre-clinical requirements before they can undertake those units that include clinical placements. These requirements include, but are not limited to, immunisation requirements, Senior First Aid qualification, annual criminal record checks and/or working with children clearances and/or fitness-to-practice requirements.
English language requirements
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. International applicants will be required to supply evidence of this at the time of application.
The minimum English language requirement for this course is met by either:
- providing a declaration that English is your primary language and you have attended and satisfactorily completed at least six (6) years of continuous education that is equivalent to secondary education taught and assessed in English in one of the recognised countries*, including at least two years between years 7 and 12.
(*recognised countries include Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom or United States of America) - undertaking one of the following English language tests and obtaining the minimum requirements listed below.
| IELTS Academic Module | A minimum overall score of 7.0 with no band less than 7.0. |
| Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) | Test not accepted for this course. |
| Common European Framework Certificate of English Proficiency | Test not accepted for this course. |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic module | A minimum overall pass of 65 and 65 across all modules (reading, writing, speaking and listening). |
| TOEFL Internet-based Test (iBT) | A minimum overall score of 94 and a minimum 24 for listening, 24 for reading, 27 for writing and 23 for speaking. |
* All tests are valid for one year from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU, unless otherwise specified.
* Where applicable, international applicants must also satisfy the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) English language requirements for student visa applications.
Do you have a question regarding English requirements at CDU? Please email: international@cdu.edu.au.
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
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:
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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 or TAS.
UAC
UAC is the application channel for residents of NSW.
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