Charles Darwin University
Master of Clinical Nursing (Surgical Nursing)
- Delivery: Online
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 3 years
Build specialist knowledge in surgical nursing through postgraduate study in gastrointestinal, orthopaedic, cardiothoracic and trauma nursing within the Master of Clinical Nursing.
Course overview
The Master of Clinical Nursing (Surgical Nursing) from Charles Darwin University is a postgraduate qualification for registered nurses seeking to extend their clinical nursing knowledge through specialist study in surgical nursing. Delivered wholly online on a part-time basis, the course is designed to support practising nurses while continuing professional practice.
You will complete the compulsory core units of the Master of Clinical Nursing before undertaking the Surgical Nursing specialist elective units. These units explore contemporary nursing practice across gastrointestinal, orthopaedic, cardiothoracic and trauma nursing, with a focus on patient safety, person-centred care and evidence-based practice. Through inquiry-based learning and case studies, you will examine anatomy, physiology and surgical interventions while developing skills in patient assessment, recovery and culturally safe nursing care across a range of surgical settings.
On successful completion, you will graduate with the Master of Clinical Nursing, an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Level 9 qualification. The Surgical Nursing specialisation enables you to tailor your postgraduate studies across a broad range of contemporary surgical nursing practice areas.
Key facts
What you will study
To earn the Master of Clinical Nursing (Surgical Nursing), you must successfully complete units totalling 120 credit points as detailed below. Unless otherwise noted, each course is worth 10 credit points.
Core units
Compulsory Core units totalling 80 credit points as per list of units detailed below:
- Evidence in Health Care (20 credit points)
- Diversity and Inclusion in Health
- Nursing and Midwifery Professional Leadership
- Nursing Project 1 (20 credit points)
- Nursing Project 2 (20 credit points)
Surgical Nursing specialisation units
Complete all 40 credit points of:
- Gastrointestinal Surgical Nursing
- Orthopaedic Nursing
- Cardiothoracic / Interventional Nursing
- Trauma Nursing
Simulation block: Students are required to attend a 3-day on-campus simulation block as part of this unit.
Entry requirements
Applicants for this course must meet all of the following:
- Successful completion of a recognised Bachelor of Nursing or equivalent international qualification.
- Hold current registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) as a Division 1 registered nurse.
- Current or recent employment for a minimum of 12 months full-time equivalent in the field of nursing specialisation.
All applicants must provide evidence of current employment or recent experience in their field of nursing specialisation.
Hospital-trained nurses with current AHPRA registration as a Division 1 registered nurse may also be considered.
English language requirements
The minimum English language requirement for this course can be met by evidencing one of the following:
- Successful completion of Year 12 within Australia or an equivalent qualification from an approved country where English is the official language.
- Successful completion of at least 0.5FTE of higher education study from Australia or an approved country where English is the official language. If studies were completed from a country on the extended list, they must have been completed within the past five (5) years.
- Successful completion of a Charles Darwin University enabling program of at least 0.5FTE (40 credit points).
- Successful completion of a recognised TAFE qualification at a Certificate III level or higher from Australia.
- Current AHPRA registration as a Division 1 or Division 2 nurse. Registration must be current at the time of course commencement.
- Completion of an approved English test within two years of commencement, meeting the minimum scores.
Contact the university or visit their website for more information.
Recognition of Prior Learning
You may be eligible for recognition of prior learning if you have previously studied or have relevant work experience. This will help to reduce the number of units that you need to study to finish your course. Contact the university for more information.
Outcomes
Career outcomes
The qualification prepares you to be a leader in your practice area across public and private health care and in hospital and community settings. Graduates of the Master of Clinical Nursing program are afforded a wide range of career opportunities, including working in specialist areas of practice, leading in leadership and management roles and being a leader in the nursing profession.
Fees and FEE-HELP
Estimated total fee in 2026: $42,024 (domestic full-fee paying place).
The estimated total fee is determined by individual units of study and the year the course was commenced.
Student fees may vary per:
- The number of units studied per term.
- The choice of major or specialisation.
- Choice of units.
- Credit from previous study or work experience.
- Eligibility for government-funded loans.
Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee-paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.
