Deakin University
Master of Advanced Clinical Nursing (Emergency)
- Delivery: Online
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 3 Years
Prepare students with advanced clinical skills, critical thinking and leadership to deliver high-quality care in fast-paced emergency healthcare settings.

Course overview
The Master of Advanced Clinical Nursing is a customisable specialist degree that will enhance clinical decision-making skills to bolster health service delivery and improve patient outcomes. You can make your career in nursing by specialising in advanced nursing practice and customising your graduate outcomes through a thesis or coursework.
The graduates of Master of Advanced Clinical Nursing (Emergency) work in an emergency department and encounter a wide variety of patients who often require immediate medical attention. You will need to think critically, quickly and calmly as part of a multidisciplinary team operating in a fast-paced environment.
As an emergency nurse, you will assess, prioritise, and manage patients in paediatrics, major and minor trauma, mental health, gynaecological, obstetric, oncology, and older persons.
CSP Subsidised Fees Available
This program has a limited quota of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). The indicative CSP price is calculated based on first year fees for EFT. The actual fee may vary if there are choices in electives or majors.
Key facts
What you will study
To complete the Master of Advanced Clinical Nursing (Emergency), students must attain 12 credit points. Students can choose between a coursework pathway or a thesis pathway.
Emergency specialisation
- Core Principles of Critical Care Nursing (two credit points)
- Emergency Nursing (two credit points)
Core units
- Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0 credit points)
- Inquiry Into Specialty Nursing Practice
- Advanced Concepts in Specialty Nursing Practice
- Research in Nursing and Midwifery
Plus, there are three (3) course elective units and two (2) level 7 elective units from anywhere in the University.
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
To be considered for admission to this degree, you will need to meet all the following criteria:
- Bachelor of Nursing degree or equivalent.
- Registration as a registered nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia with no conditions or restrictions.
- At least 24 months of clinical experience in specialty practice in Australia (or part-time equivalent) and provide evidence of employment in a relevant specialty practice area or equivalent.
English language proficiency requirements
To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:
- Bachelor's degree from a recognised English-speaking country.
- IELTS overall score of 6.5 (with no band score less than 6.0) or equivalent.
- Other evidence of English language proficiency.
Recognition of Prior Learning
The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning, which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University or four credit points, whichever is greater. In the case of certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.
You can also refer to the recognition of prior learning (RPL) system, which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree and how to apply for credit.
Students holding an approved specialist certificate from the former Nurses Board of Victoria may apply for up to four credit points of Recognition of prior learning towards the Master's.
Outcomes
Career outcomes
Depending on the units you have completed, your expertise will allow you to pursue a range of roles, such as:
- Clinical Nurse Educator
- Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Associate or Unit Manager
- Research Roles
- Anaesthetic Nurse
- Cardiac Care Nurse
- Circulating Nurse
- Critical Care Nurse
- Emergency Care Nurse
- ICU Nurse
- Instrument Nurse
- Intensive Care Nurse
- Perioperative Nurse
Learning outcomes
- Demonstrate safe psychomotor skills and clinical practice commensurate with emergency nursing theoretical knowledge, evidence-based practice and person-centred care.
- Demonstrate communication skills to develop and implement plans of care to ensure the delivery of quality, safe nursing care to patients in the emergency care setting.
- Evaluate information using digital technologies to effectively disseminate relevant emergency care information to patients and/or the multidisciplinary team.
- Identify and evaluate complex data from multiple sources to inform clinical decision-making in the emergency care setting.
- Apply specialised nursing knowledge and skills to routine and complex problems in the emergency care setting to optimise patient outcomes.
- Demonstrate professionalism, accountability, reflection, and personal autonomy as an emergency nurse.
- Establish and maintain inclusive, collaborative professional relationships with all multidisciplinary team members.
- Display accountability for and sound professional judgement in behaviours that uphold ethical principles of practice within diverse social, cultural, and environmental contexts.
Fees and CSP
Estimated tuition fee in 2025: $4,627 (Commonwealth Supported Place)
The estimated tuition fee is calculated by adding together eight credit points of study. Eight credit points is used as it represents a typical enrolment load for a master's degree.
A student’s annual fee may vary in accordance with:
- 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.
Commonwealth Supported Places
The Australian Government allocates a certain number of CSPs to the universities each year, which are then distributed to students based on merit.
If you're a Commonwealth Supported Student (CSS), you'll only need to pay a portion of your tuition fees. This is known as the student contribution amount – the balance once the government subsidy is applied. This means your costs are much lower.
Limited CSP spaces are offered to students enrolled in selected postgraduate courses.
Your student contribution amount is:
- Calculated per unit you're enrolled in.
- Depending on the study areas they relate to.
- Reviewed and adjusted each year.
HECS-HELP loans are available to CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.