Why Nursing at JCU?
JCU Online’s Master of Nursing gives you the qualifications and skills you need to evolve your career as fast as healthcare itself is changing.
100% online & part-time
Fast-track your career with flexible study you can balance around your life. Study one subject at a time and complete your degree in as little as two years part-time.
Choose your career pathway
Choose to specialise in either advanced practice, education or leadership and management, or combine two and graduate with a double major.
Ranked in the top 25 universities in Australia
JCU is in the top 25 Australian universities in the 2022 THE World University Rankings. You’ll study and connect with industry leaders, specialists and experienced nurse academics.
Program highlights
- Transform your practice and improve your clinical skill set.
- Choose from three in-demand specialisations.
- Develop key skills to help you succeed in clinical contexts.
- Understand the latest in healthcare informatics.
- Designed by passionate nursing professionals.
- Fast-track your career with 100% online study.
- Be supported by a dedicated Student Success Advisor.
Master of Nursing Overview
Become a leader in the nursing industry
With a rapidly ageing population, changes in technology, changes in management demands, and the evolution of nursing knowledge and practice, there are growing opportunities for qualified senior nurses and nurse leaders in Australia.
JCU Online’s Master of Nursing gives you the qualifications and skills you need to evolve your career as fast as healthcare itself is changing. It will allow you to take on more complex roles and deliver better patient care.
What you will study
The JCU Online’s Master of Nursing gives you the preparation you’ll need to shine at the next level in your career – advanced communication skills, data management skills, governance knowledge, informatics, and the ability to design and implement evidence into practice. We equip you with the knowledge, proficiency, competency and expertise to succeed in your chosen specialisation.
These core skills were specifically incorporated to ensure all graduates leave the course ready to take on the challenges presented by a changing healthcare landscape. You’ll also be able to choose one of three majors:
- Leadership and Management major
- Education major
- Advanced Practice major
Want more details about these subjects? Find out more from our course guide.
*Duration dependent on individual study path and subject availability. Please speak to an Enrolment Advisor for more information.
Core subjects
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Informatics for Health ProfessionalsThis subject introduces the scope and practice of informatics in healthcare. Read more
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Effective Clinical GovernanceThis subject explores the development of clinical governance and contemporary issues in healthcare workplaces. Read more
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Persuasive CommunicationThis subject explores professional communication strategies across a variety of mediums in the healthcare workplace. Read more
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Synthesising Evidence for HealthcareThis subject examines how to find, appraise and utilise reliable and credible sources of health-related information. Read more
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Quantitative Research in HealthcareThis subject provides a comprehensive introduction to the principles and concepts of qualitative research methods. Read more
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Qualitative Research in HealthcareThis subject focuses on the foundational principles relating to qualitative research design and the strengths and weaknesses of different qualitative methodologies. Read more
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Implementing Practice Development in Healthcare ContextsThis subject explores contemporary theories of knowledge translation and practice development. Read more
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Professional Portfolios for Career AdvancementThis subject introduces the process of building a professional portfolio for the purpose of continuing professional development and career advancement. Read more
You will study the following eight core subjects:
Leadership and Management major
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Leading and Managing in HealthThis subject explores foundational concepts of leadership and management in diverse healthcare settings and geographic locations. Read more
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Ethics and Health ManagementThis subject examines ethical principles and theories, exploring how managers may apply these in a healthcare context. Read more
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Business and Finance for the Health ManagerThis subject explores how healthcare leaders can assume effective business and financial management functions. Read more
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Conflict and Dispute Resolution in HealthcareThis subject examines how to take action when confronting the challenges involved in leading in a healthcare environment characterised by increasing change and complexity. Read more
If you choose to major in Leadership & Management you will study the following four subjects, in addition to your core subjects:
Education major
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Principles of Education for the Health ProfessionalThis subject introduces the most prominent theories in adult learning and the ways in which they can be applied to a healthcare setting. Read more
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Teaching in Practice SettingsThis subject focuses on the application of key theories and specific strategies related to teaching for health professionals in the clinical setting. Read more
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Clinical CoachingThis subject explores the knowledge required in clinical coaching and how to use specific strategies related to healthcare contexts. Read more
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Contemporary Healthcare EducationThis subject explores contemporary issues relevant to education in healthcare contexts. Read more
If you choose to major in Education, you will study the following four subjects in addition to your core subjects:
Advanced Practice major
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Advanced Health AssessmentThis subject provides the knowledge and skills required to complete system-specific and comprehensive health histories and physical examinations. Read more
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Quality Use of Medicines in PracticeThis subject explores pharmacology and principles relevant to the quality use of medicines in practice. Read more
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Applied Health Assessment and Advanced PracticeThe subject is designed to build on the knowledge and skills gained in the core subject Advanced Health Assessment with the aim of identifying deviations from normal health states. Read more
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Diagnostic Reasoning for Advanced PracticeThis subject explores the diagnostic reasoning and clinical decision-making process required in the assessment and management of both acute and chronic patients. Read more
If you choose to major in Advanced Practice, you will study the following four subjects in addition to your core subjects:
Choose from 1 of 3 principle specialisations or a double major
Advanced Practice: Giving you the skills you need to deliver advanced patient care
Leadership and Management: Giving you the confidence and knowledge to embrace leadership or management positions in healthcare, or
Education: Giving you the ability to take on educational practice roles in clinical or non-clinical environments.
You may also choose to combine two of these specialisations and graduate with a double major.
- Entry requirements
- Recognition of Prior Learning
- Learning outcomes
- Career outcomes
- Inherent requirements
Entry requirements
To be eligible to enrol in the online Master of Nursing, applicants must 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;
- Completed a minimum of one year of full-time clinical experience, or the part-time equivalent, as a registered nurse or midwife.
- Applicants of non-English speaking backgrounds must meet the English language proficiency requirements of Band 3a – Schedule II of the JCU Admissions Policy.
Not sure if you meet these entry criteria? Our Enrolment Advisors can assist you.
SPEAK WITH AN ENROLMENT ADVISORRecognition of Prior Learning
If you have experienced learning either at work, through non-accredited training or from life that is relevant to this course, we may be able to offer you credit towards your qualification.
GET IN TOUCH WITH AN ENROLMENT ADVISOR TO FIND OUT MORELearning outcomes
On successful completion of the Online Master of Nursing, graduates will be able to:
- Adapt and apply specialised knowledge, skills and technical competencies across a variety of health contexts, including tropical, rural, remote and Indigenous settings
- Expertly communicate using high-level written and oral language skills
- Reflect on practice of self and others to ensure quality and promote an environment of excellence in healthcare
- Critically analyse, synthesise and evaluate a range of data and evidence to provide solutions to complex nursing problems
- Advance nursing knowledge through the generation of evidence relevant to their specialist area
- Transform practice through the skilful application of advanced knowledge, relevant evidence and leadership skills
Career outcomes
Studying the Master of Nursing will provide you with the hands-on technical skills and practical interpersonal management knowledge that are growing in demand in the nursing industry. With three specialisations on offer, this degree allows students the opportunity to tailor their studies to their career goals and succeed in positions such as:
Advanced Practice
- Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Clinical Nurse Consultant
Leadership and Management
- Nurse Unit Manager
- Executive nursing roles such as Director of Nursing
Education
- Clinical Teacher
- Nurse Educator
- Higher Education and Academia roles
Inherent requirements
Inherent requirements are the identified abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours that must be demonstrated, during the learning experience, to successfully complete a course. These abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours preserve the academic integrity of the University’s learning, assessment, and accreditation processes, and where applicable, meet the standards of a profession.
All JCU students have the opportunity to demonstrate, with reasonable adjustments where applicable, the inherent requirements for their course.
Nested qualifications: Early entry exit options
You can also build towards your master’s degree through flexible entry and exit points and ‘qualify as you go’ through our nested qualifications. As you study your Master of Nursing, you will gain your Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma of Nursing. If you need to finish your study early, you may still qualify for a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma. Get in touch with an Enrolment Advisor to find out more.
Your personalised Enrolment Advisor
The role of an Enrolment Advisor is to ensure that you have all the resources and academic support needed to be successful in your studies.
Enrolments Advisors are here to help you with:
- Determining your eligibility for the course.
- Understanding the structure of your course and what you can expect to learn.
- Time management strategies for success.
- How to apply for financial assistance and FEE-HELP.
- Any questions you have about your application.
Contact hours for your Enrolment Advisor
Monday and Tuesday: 8am-6pm (AEST)
Wednesday and Thursday: 8am-7pm (AEST)
Friday: 8am-5pm (AEST)
You might also be interested in:
Ready to get started?
Download a course guide
For more detailed and up-to-date information about your degree, including:
- Information about the course
- Course duration
- Fees
- Course descriptions
- What to expect from the course
Speak with an Enrolment Advisor
Investing in the right course for you is important to us and we’re here to help. Simply request a call back and will assist you with:
- Entry requirements
- Choosing right course
- How to apply and enrol
- How online study works
- Course duration and fees
