Master of Nursing Practice (Pre-Registration)

This is a pre-registration master's degree for people who already hold a bachelor's degree in something other than nursing and want to become a registered nurse. It runs for two years full time and sits at master's level on the Australian Qualifications Framework, so you graduate with a postgraduate qualification rather than a second bachelor's degree. Charles Darwin University delivers it through a mix of theory units and supervised clinical practice, with the aim of preparing you for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) through AHPRA.

What you actually study

You work through units of study covering anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, nursing assessment, mental health nursing, chronic and acute care, Indigenous health, and professional and legal responsibilities in nursing. Each unit carries credit points, and you need to pass all of them to complete the degree. The course includes a capstone or final professional practice unit in your last semester, where you bring together everything you have learned in a clinical setting. You will also complete a set number of supervised clinical placement hours across the two years, in hospitals, community health services and aged care settings. CDU uses its Northern Territory location to place students in urban, regional and remote health services, which is a real point of difference if you want experience beyond a capital city hospital.

Structure and length

The degree is two years full time, usually delivered across semesters. Some universities also run a trimester model, so check the CDU handbook for the exact pattern. Because it is a pre-registration qualification, the clinical placement component is compulsory and you cannot skip it or substitute online learning for it. You will need to meet health and immunisation requirements, and pass a police check and working with children clearance before placement. English requirements for nursing are higher than the general postgraduate standard: expect IELTS Academic 7.0 overall with no band below 7.0, or an equivalent TOEFL, PTE Academic or Cambridge C1 Advanced result. The Department of Home Affairs also sets its own English threshold for the Student visa, separate from the university's entry requirement.

Who it suits

This course suits career changers and graduates from health science, biomedical science, psychology, paramedicine or other related fields who want to move into nursing. It also suits people who already work in health support roles and want to qualify as a registered nurse. If you are an international student, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session, and after graduating you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream. That gives you time to gain Australian experience and pursue registration. Confirm the current structure, placement requirements, English evidence and fees on the CRICOS register and the CDU course page before you apply.

• Registered Nurse in public and private hospitals, across medical, surgical, emergency, paediatric and mental health wards.
• Aged care nurse in residential aged care facilities and community aged care programs.
• Community health nurse working in Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, primary care clinics and outreach services.
• Remote area nurse in the Northern Territory and other rural and remote settings, often with extended scope of practice.
• Mental health nurse in inpatient units, community mental health teams and crisis services.
• Perioperative or critical care nurse after further postgraduate study or hospital-based transition programs.
• Clinical nurse educator or nurse unit manager later in your career, after gaining ward experience.
• Australian employers include state and territory health departments, private hospital groups, aged care providers, general practices, and non-government health organisations.