Queensland University of Technology
Master of Nursing (Primary Health Care)
- Delivery: Online
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 18 months
Learn the advanced skills and knowledge you need to provide comprehensive primary healthcare, focusing on community health, prevention and chronic disease management.
Course overview
The Master of Nursing course offers a variety of career pathways for nurses working in diverse settings and provides opportunities for in-depth study for advanced competence in selected areas of nursing practice. You will have the option to study either the coursework stream or the dissertation stream. The coursework stream is recommended for nurses wishing to pursue a career as nurse unit managers, clinical nurse consultants, directors of nursing or clinical nurse educators. Additional electives are available to students undertaking the coursework stream. The dissertation stream is recommended for nurses wishing to pursue a career as a nurse researcher, nurse academic, or progress to a PhD.
In the Master of Nursing (Primary Health Care) program, students will expand their knowledge of the critical role of primary health care in providing proactive care, health promotion and self-management for individuals, families and communities. Students will also develop an understanding of current policies, frameworks, strategies and approaches to the prevention and management of chronic conditions in the context of their area of practice or interest.
This study area has no additional professional experience requirements.
Key facts
What you will study
To complete the Master of Nursing (Primary Health Care), students must fulfil 144 credit points. Students must choose a dissertation stream or a coursework stream. Unless otherwise indicated, each unit is worth 12 credit points.
Core units
- Leadership in Nursing
- Evidence-based Practice and Research Design
- Dissertation Preparation
- Dissertation (48 credit points)
Primary health care specialisation units
- Contemporary Issues in Primary Health Care
- Specialist Primary Health Care
Electives
- Complete two units in research methods, totalling 24 credit points.
- Complete one unit in the postgraduate nursing list, totalling 12 credit points.
Entry requirements
You must have:
- A recognised bachelor's degree (or higher) in nursing.
- Current registration as a Nurse with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
Recognition of Prior Learning
You may be able to have your past studies or work experience count as credit towards your QUT course. QUT call this ‘advanced standing’. That means you might not have to complete all the units in your course structure. You may be able to graduate sooner. Exemptions are assessed individually – talk to QUT's Course Consultant for more information.
Outcomes
Career outcomes
- Advanced practice nurse
- Clinical nurse consultant
- Clinical nurse manager
- Executive director of nursing
- Health educator
- Health researcher
- Nurse unit manager
- Nursing director
Learning outcomes
Upon completion, you will:
- Be a leader who facilitates nursing and interprofessional team collaborations to deliver person-centred health care outcomes.
- Apply specialist knowledge and skills to initiate and improve sustainable, digitally enhanced health service delivery.
- Communicate effectively in various contexts and media, using your influence to advocate for ethical, evidence-based and culturally appropriate change.
- Critically reflect on your practice, integrating various perspectives and approaches to health care that embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and diverse perspectives.
Fees and FEE-HELP
Per year full-time fee in 2025: $26,000 (domestic full-fee playing place)
The per-year full-time fee is calculated based on a full-time study load of 96 credit points.
A student’s annual fee may vary depending on:
- 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.
You will also need to pay the student services and amenities fee. 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.
