hold a Bachelor degree in Nursing or equivalent from a recognised higher education institution; OR
have completed hospital based training as a Registered Nurse; OR
have successfully completed the nested Graduate Diploma in Nursing (Leadership and Management) or nested Graduate Certificate in Nursing (Leadership and Management) offered by the University of South Australia, or an equivalent qualification from another Australian university.
In addition, applicants must:
hold a Current Practising Certificate as a Registered Nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia or, for international students, be eligible to be licensed to practice as a Registered Nurse in their own country or place of residence; AND
have completed a minimum of one year of clinical experience as a Registered Nurse.
The program provides Registered Nurses with qualifications that advance their knowledge and understanding of management roles in the health care system, develop skills in leadership, management, policy formulation and implementation, and continuous quality improvement, and develop their ability to independently undertake projects or research.
Content & Structure
The program consists of 54 units of study offered over 1.5 years full-time or part-time equivalent. Students undertake 18 units of study in the specialty area of Leadership and Management, 13.5 units of core courses, a 4.5 unit course chosen from the Options available, and 18 units of minor thesis or project.
Courses in the specialty area integrate leadership and management knowledge and skills with innovative and scholarly practice across the health care sector. Core courses allow students to identify policy and practice issues in nursing, and explore health team collaboration in their field of study. Emphasis is also placed on understanding research methods and how they relate to practice and processes within the health care sector. Students will have the benefit of integrating research findings into their practice. Option courses provide students with the skills to be lifelong learners and to be able to extend their competence and knowledge through critical analysis and reflection. The project or thesis provides students with the opportunity to be involved in research or project work which explores evidence that substantiates their practice.
1. Credit for previous studies or in recognition of prior learning may be granted in accordance with University policy. Maximum credit allowed is normally one-third of the total units of the program.
2. Students who have completed the nested Graduate Diploma in Nursing (Leadership and Management) at the University of South Australia will be awarded a total of 36 units of credit in the Master of Nursing (Leadership and Management).
3. Students must complete 18 units of either Minor Thesis 1 and 2 or Project 1 and 2 as the final two courses of their program.
Notes
1. The Master of Nursing (Leadership and Management) may not be offered every year and may also be subject to demand.
2. Core courses (13.5 units) comprise Collaborative Approaches to Health (9 units) and Applying Research to Nursing and Midwifery Practice (4.5 units).
3. Not all courses will be offered in each half of the year and may be subject to demand. Other optional courses may be negotiated, but must be approved by the Program Director in advance of enrolment.
4. Students undertaking a minor thesis of study will be assigned a supervisor and contract their study by negotiation in accordance with the University's guidelines on research.