Advance your nursing career

Nurses are an integral part of society. They are problem-solvers and pillars of strength. Through scholarship and leadership, nurses can challenge, reform, improve and enrich healthcare now and into the future. 

This advanced degree is suited to nurses with a solid foundation in clinical practice who want to pursue research or leadership positions.

What will you do?

Our Master of Nursing Science offers a comprehensive grounding in research methods and critical analysis. You will:

• build clinical enquiry and management skills
• take new courses in advanced clinical practice
• gain hands-on experience in simulations and skills laboratories
• partner with an expert in your field of study who’ll support and encourage your academic development
• undertake a 12 unit research project, or conduct a systematic review (9 units).

If you want to continue to further PhD study, you’ll complete 12 units of research.

Where could it take you?

You will open up global opportunities and senior management roles in the health sector. You could develop mental health programs for psychiatric wards or prisons. You might come up with innovative ways to support surgeons in emergency. Perhaps you’ll do large-scale research on cancer pain management or cardiovascular risk factors. 

We offer unique specialisations in:

Acute Care Nursing (SATAC code 3CM143)
Anaesthetic and Recovery Nursing (SATAC code 3CM144)
Cardiac Nursing (SATAC code 3CM140)
Emergency Nursing (SATAC code 3CM142)
Intensive Care Nursing (SATAC code 3CM139)
Oncology Nursing (SATAC code 3CM135)
Orthopaedic Nursing (SATAC code 3CM136)
Perioperative Nursing (SATAC code 3CM132)

 

Note: International students on a student visa are required to study on campus in Adelaide.

The program is structured in two stages:

Stage 1

Students must complete the courses as outlined under the study plan to exit with the Graduate Diploma in Nursing Science.

Stage 2

Students are required to complete a total of 24 units of study and are able to select one of two options:

• Combination 1 (coursework and research study)
• Combination 2 (coursework study only)

Academic Program Rules

The Calendar is a comprehensive handbook of the University's academic program rules.

Areas of Specialisation

• Acute Care
• Anaesthetic and Recovery
• Cardiac
• Emergency
• Intensive Care
• Oncology
• Orthopaedic
• Perioperative

Example Study Plan

This indicative study plan depicts the traditional pathway of a full-time domestic student through the Master of Nursing Science (no specialisation) undertaking the research pathway.

Career Readiness

Graduates are prepared for careers in senior nursing clinical practice or management, or can begin a career in nursing research.

The University of Adelaide Careers Service prepares, inspires and empowers students to achieve successful career transitions and connect with industry.

Graduate Attributes

The objective of this program is to produce graduates with specific attributes as outlined in University of Adelaide Graduate Attributes.

1. Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
2. Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
3. Teamwork and communication skills
4. Professionalism and leadership readiness
5. Intercultural and ethical competency
6. Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency
7. Digital capabilities
8. Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

Potential careers

Graduates of this program have gone on to roles such as:

Clinical Nurse Consultant;  Clinical Nurse Specialist;  Community Health Nurse;  Nurse Educator;  Nurse Manager;  Nurse Researcher

Bachelor of Nursing Science or equivalent plus 2 years post-registration nursing experience in a chosen specialty.

IELTS: Overall band score of 7.0 and Band score of 7.0 in all bands; TOEFL total score of 94 with a minimum of 27 in Writing, 23 in Speaking and 24 in Reading and Listening; Pearson Test of English (Academic) overall score of 65 and Skills profile of 65 in Writing, Speaking, Reading and Listening; and Cambridge English-Advanced (CAE): Overall score of 185 and Individual score of 185 in Writing and Speaking, Reading and Listening.