MASTER OF NURSING

Duration
2 years part-time
Study intakes
Jan, Mar, May, July, Sep, Oct
Fees
$2,650 per unit
Units
12 (7 weeks)
COURSE OVERVIEW
Deliver better nursing for better health through leadership, research and innovation.
VU Online’s Master of Nursing, with specialisations in Chronic Disease and Ageing or Nursing Leadership, is designed for registered nurses to transform the delivery of healthcare services in Australia. The course prepares nurses for the challenges of clinical leadership, research and advanced practice roles in their chosen specialisation.
Across eight core units of study – from Promoting Cultural Competence and Community Health to Nursing Informatics – and four specialised units in their chosen field of study, students will acquire skills that are in demand for senior nurse leaders.
Each course is delivered 100% online, giving students the flexibility to fit study around their busy personal and professional lives. At VU Online, we take a personalised 1:1 approach to online learning, which makes learning with us highly interactive and supported.
With 25 years of experience delivering postgraduate courses in Australia, VU has equipped thousands of students from all walks of life with the knowledge and skills to successfully achieve their unique career goals including promotion, salary increase and leadership and innovation in nursing.
FOUR LAYERS OF STUDENT SUPPORT
Our highly experienced academics understand how to deliver a quality online learning experience and are highly responsive and accessible.
Benefit from a dedicated Student Success Advisor, who provides motivation and one-on-one personalised assistance with non-academic matters for the duration of the course. Experience the support of a community through chat, virtual seminars and discussion board activity. Your support network is only a phone call or email away.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
To apply for the online Master of Nursing, you are required to have:
- Completed an AQF Level 7 Bachelor of Nursing, or equivalent qualification AND
- Current 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 AND
- Completed a minimum of one year of full-time clinical experience, or the part-time equivalent, as a registered nurse. OR
- Applicants without an AQF 7 Bachelor Degree of Nursing or above who also hold current Registration as a Registered Nurse (Division 1) or Registered Midwife with the Australian Practitioner Regulation Agency (APHRA), or applicants without sufficient clinical work experience will be considered for the Graduate Certificate in Nursing. On successful completion of the Graduate Certificate, applicants will be eligible for admission to this course with credit granted for completed units.
ADVANCED STANDING
You may be eligible to enter into the masters with credit for past skills and/or study, known as advanced standing.
If you've already completed any of the units in the course in which you are enrolling, or their equivalent, you may be eligible for advanced standing.
UNITS OF STUDY
In addition to the innovative core units, you will also complete a practical, multi-faceted research project. Each unit of study lasts for seven weeks.
CAREER OPTIONS
Prepare for the healthcare challenges of the 21st century.
Australia requires registered nurses with advanced knowledge, skills and competencies to help drive the transformation of the Australian healthcare system.
Study with us to build on your years of experience in direct care, training, professional development, management and implementing change. With our Master of Nursing, you’ll have the credentials needed to progress into management and leadership in one of our specialist areas of Chronic Disease and Ageing, and Nursing Leadership.
Prospective career paths may include:
- Clinical nurse specialist
- Clinical research nurse
- Clinical nurse consultant
- Clinical nurse educator
- Nurse unit manager
- Leadership role in chronic disease and ageing
- Unit manager
- Director of nursing
- Executive director of nursing
On completion of this course, Australian Registered Nurses (RNs) will be eligible for the postgraduate qualification allowance.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Assess and apply current WHO and Australian Health priorities and cultural competency principles to promote community health.
- Formulate and lead quality and safety innovations for improved patient outcomes.
- Assume leadership for complex care coordination for clients.
- Provide leadership in informatics and its applications to digital healthcare
- Contribute to advancing nursing knowledge, practice and design through the evaluation of research.
- Develop, implement and assess professional development programs for clinical settings.
- Lead or influence nursing care in a chosen specialty area.
- Design and undertake primary research in a specialist area
WHY STUDY WITH VU ONLINE?
Ranked among the world’s top two per cent of universities, VU Online is respected by employers and professionals alike.
We offer degrees that empower you to progress over time, putting your dream qualification in reach – regardless of educational background.
Known for industry-focused courses as well as high-calibre facilitators and academics, VU Online combines a track record in tertiary education that puts students first with a deep understanding of contemporary online learning.
Study with VU Online and you’ll be part of a vibrant, virtual community of like-minded peers, actively supported to achieve your professional goals.
To apply for the online Master of Nursing, you are required to have:
Completed an AQF Level 7 Bachelor of Nursing, or equivalent qualification AND
Current 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 AND
Completed a minimum of one year of full-time clinical experience, or the part-time equivalent, as a registered nurse.
OR
Applicants without an AQF 7 Bachelor Degree of Nursing or above who also hold current Registration as a Registered Nurse (Division 1) or Registered Midwife with the Australian Practitioner Regulation Agency (APHRA), or applicants without sufficient clinical work experience will be considered for the Graduate Certificate in Nursing. On successful completion of the Graduate Certificate, applicants will be eligible for admission to this course with credit granted for completed units.
ADVANCED STANDING
You may be eligible to enter into the masters with credit for past skills and/or study, known as advanced standing.
If you've already completed any of the units in the course in which you are enrolling, or their equivalent, you may be eligible for advanced standing. Learn more about advanced standing.

Award winning study model
Our award winning postgraduate Block Model recognises the complexity of students' lives while giving a consistent, manageable and connected online learning experience. Earn your Master of Nursing faster than on-campus, with our unique study model.

No exams or textbooks to purchase
The online units have been designed with a student-centred approach that spans from the overarching learning outcomes to the engaging activities and self-determined assessments.

Support 7 days and in the evenings
Get the support you need, when you need it, during your course. Our support network has a single focus on ensuring you are entirely supported to succeed.