Master of Clinical Nursing

  • N/A
    Guaranteed Entry Score - ATAR
  • Duration

    2 years full-time
    (or part-time equiv.)
  • Start Dates

    February

  • Location

    Teaching Hospitals

Flexibility and challenge  

Nurses are highly respected members of the community. They help treat patients in all sorts of health care settings and touch lives with empathy, compassion and humour.

Our Master of Clinical Nursing offers you an intensive two-year path to a rewarding career as a registered nurse.

What will you do?

This intensive degree cultivates the professional knowledge, skills and confidence needed to make a difference every day. You will:

  • benefit from small group learning and diverse student cohorts
  • develop hands-on skills in high-tech simulation settings
  • study anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology and pharmacology
  • gain a keen understanding of professional standards and ethics
  • undertake clinical placements in hospital and community settings.

Where could it take you?

You’ll emerge with an advanced professional qualification recognised Australia-wide. You could assist in operating theatres, emergency wards, and a multitude of other health care environments. You might pursue hospital roles in acute care, aged care or mental health. Perhaps you’ll work in rural communities or with aid organisations.



Note:
This degree is only available in blended mode and on-campus attendance is required.  if you are a continuing student in the degree and are unable to attend campus, please contact your program coordinator for program advice.


  • Adelaide Nursing School ranked 51-100 in the world*
  • 16% industry growth predicted by 2025^
  • Become a registered nurse in two years

*QS World University Rankings by subject, 2023
^Imip.gov.au Occupation projection

Entry Requirements

Choose your applicant type to view the relevant admissions information for this program.
I am a:

Before applying make sure you understand the eligibility and entry requirements for your chosen degree.

Look out for any prerequisites or assumed knowledge subjects. Some degrees also have additional entry requirements like interviews and auditions.

Domestic applicants

SATAC Code 3CM131
Deferment Yes - 2 year
Intake

February

Prerequisites

A pre-requisite of entry into the Master of Clinical Nursing program is the successful completion of a Human Physiology/Anatomy (Level 1) University course prior to commencement of the program.

Applicants who have not studied human anatomy or physiology content in their previous tertiary studies will be required to complete an equivalent course prior to consideration of any application for entry.

The following are examples of suitable equivalents: 'Human Biology' course (Monash University) or the 'Physiology and Anatomy Bridging Course' (La Trobe Uni).

Applicants should ensure that the course is focussed on human anatomy from a body systems level and not a cellular level (ie respiratory, cardiac, musculoskeletal systems etc). It is strongly recommended that you contact the Master of Clinical Nursing Program Coordinator ( prereg_prg_coord@adelaide.edu.au ) prior to enrolling in and paying for a pre requisite course to ensure it meets the requirements. To do so please submit the course outline to the Adelaide Nursing School, The University of Adelaide. For more information please phone Ask Adelaide +61 (0)8 8313 5208 or askhealthsc@adelaide.edu.au.

 In addition, all applicants are required to meet the English Language skills Registration Standard as outlined by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) at https://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/ All domestic applicants will need to submit an English Language Declaration to demonstrate that they meet the standard.

All applicants must demonstrate their English Language competency in one of the following ways:

  • PRIMARY LANGUAGE PATHWAY: a. English is their primary language; and b. 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.

OR

  • ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEST PATHWAY: Applications have achieved the required minimum score in one of the English Language tests and test must be dated within 1 year of commencement.

Please note that meeting the English language requirements for entry to a nursing program does not guarantee that students will meet the NMBA's nursing registration requirements once they have completed their program.

Additional Entry Requirements

Most offers will be made in December and January with a few later offers where there are still places available.

Selection Criteria
Graduate entry

Higher Education Study

Successful completion of a Bachelors degree or equivalent with at least a pass average in a field other than Nursing.

The Master of Clinical Nursing is not available to applicants who hold a degree in Nursing. Due to limited Commonwealth supported places, selection will be based on academic merit.


  • Admissions Transparency Data
    Student Profile
    Applicant background Semester one/Full year intake 2023
    Number of students Percentage of all students
    International students 18 29.5%
    All students 61 100.0%

Ready to Apply?

Find out more about the application process and start your studies at the University of Adelaide.

Be sure to check the critical dates to avoid missing application deadlines.

Apply

Fees and Scholarships

Choose your applicant type to view the relevant fees and scholarships information for this program.
I am a:

Domestic applicants

Indicative annual tuition fees
Commonwealth-supported place: $4,445

Where the standard duration of the program is less than one year the full cost of the program is displayed.

Scholarships

These scholarships, as well as many others funded by industry and non-profit organisations, are available to potential and currently enrolled students.

Find a Scholarship.

Careers

Career Readiness

This degree provides a professional qualification, which is recognised for registration as a Registered Nurse in all other Australian states.

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

Industry Placement

Throughout the degree, students will work in the clinical area as members of the health care team. Clinical placements may be undertaken in both metropolitan and rural, public and private health care settings.

In preparation for clinical placements, students are required to have the appropriate level of immunisation, tuberculosis (TB) screening and criminal history checks (CHC). Students without valid immunisation history, TB screening notifications and CHC will not be allowed to attend placement.

Placements are compulsory for successful completion of the program. All costs associated are the responsibility of the student.

To find out more, visit the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences website.

Professional Accreditation

The Master of Clinical Nursing is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.

The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Authority (AHPRA) is responsible for student registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. It is completed upon enrolment in the program. There is no fee involved.

In order to be able to register as a Registered Nurse with AHPRA, all applicants must meet the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia English language registration standard. 

Potential careers

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

Registered Nurse;  Nurse

Degree Structure

The Master of Clinical Nursing is structured over two years of full-time study to provide in-depth theory and clinical placements in hospital and community settings.

The first year provides foundational, theoretical and professional concepts, and fundamental knowledge and skills of nursing practice. Contemporary nursing care is introduced in a variety of health care contexts. The second year of the degree advances professional and contemporary knowledge and skills moving to more complex health problems.

Academic Program Rules

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

Example Study Plan

Indicative study plan - Full Time
Year1 S1 NURSING 7200 Nursing Science NURSING 7201 Fundamentals of Nursing Practice NURSING 7203 Introducing Professional Nursing NURSING 7204 Clinical Nursing Practice I
S2 NURSING 7208  Aboriginal People and Health Care NURSING 7202 Fundamentals of Nursing Practice II NURSING 7209 Contexts of Nursing Practice NURSING 7205 Clinical Nursing Practice II
Year2 S1 NURSING 7210 Applied Nursing Practice I NURSING 7206 Clinical Nursing Practice III

NURSING 7216
Research Methods for Health

S2 NURSING 7213 Applied Nursing Practice II NURSING 7207 Clinical Nursing Practice IV NURSING 7217 
Concepts of Leadership and Management in Nursing

Assessment

May include essays, case studies, discussion board participation, presentations, poster presentations, critiques, portfolios and both written and clinical exams.

Testimonial

On first placement I needed to use my training and the University's simulations to assist a stroke patient, I was confident in my abilities and the patient survived.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Last updated: Monday, 4 Mar 2024