Master of Nursing (Graduate Entry)

What you will study

To gain the Master of Nursing (Graduate Entry), students must complete 15 core units. Unless otherwise indicated, each unit is worth 12 credit points.

Core units

Complete the following core units:

• The Health Narrative Across the Lifespan
• Introduction to Clinical Practice
• Health and Indigenous Peoples
• Introductory Pharmacology
• Chronic Health and Disability Across the Lifespan
• Health Assessment Across the Lifespan
• Evidence-Based Mental Health Nursing
• Clinical Nursing I
• Community Partnerships
• Clinical Nursing II
• Transition to Practice
• Nursing Research
• Interprofessional Health Practice
• Promoting Nursing Leadership
• Clinical Nursing III (24 credit points)

Entry requirements

Applicants must have completed:

• A Bachelor's degree in any discipline within the last 10 years and achieved a minimum GPA of 5.0 (a Credit average).
• One 12 credit points unit of study in human anatomy /physiology or a related area from any recognised tertiary institution or equivalent as determined by the Course Coordinator.

Applicants who are already registered nurses in Australia are not eligible for admission to this course.

English language requirements

To meet the University’s minimum English Language Proficiency requirement, an applicant must provide a written declaration that English is their primary language or have achieved one of the following:

• The IELTS (academic module) has a minimum overall score of 7 and a minimum score of 7 in each component.
• The OET has a minimum score of B for each component.
• The PTE Academic has a minimum overall score of 65 and a minimum score of 65 in each of the four communicative skills.
• The TOEFL iBT has a minimum total score of 94 and the following minimum scores in each test section: 24 listening, 24 reading, 27 writing and 23 speaking.

Refer to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia requirements regarding English as a Primary Language.

To register to practice, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency [AHPRA]’s standards for the English language must be met. See AHPRA’s English Language Skills for further information.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Credit for Prior Learning, also referred to as ‘Advanced Standing’ or Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL), is the process of looking at your prior study and/or experience to assess if you can be awarded academic credit or gain entry to a course based on your existing knowledge and skills.

For more information, contact the university or visit their website.

Outcomes

Learning outcomes

• Apply an advanced and integrated understanding of knowledge and skills, with accountability, to inform clinical reasoning in constructing and delivering safe, high-quality, person-centred nursing practices.
• Plan and execute research and scholarship as a basis for ongoing professional inquiry and effective knowledge translation to ensure evidence-based and holistic nursing practice.
• Meet and adhere to relevant national professional, ethical and legal standards to ensure safe and competent nursing practice with high personal autonomy and accountability.
• Critically apply cognitive, technical and creative skills to investigate, analyse and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories in planning, prioritising, implementing and evaluating nursing practices across diverse circumstances and settings.
• Incorporate critical self-reflection, innovation and creativity, integrity, responsibility and accountability in contributing to professional practice, scholarship and lifelong learning.
• Work independently and collaboratively with individuals, the nursing team and interdisciplinary healthcare teams, effectively empowering and building leadership in the delivery of nursing.
• Use academic knowledge and skills, including literacy, numeracy and academic integrity, to communicate clearly and effectively in oral and written form with various audiences.
• Demonstrate cultural responsivity and respect for the identity and dignity of all persons, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
• Critically analyse regional, national and global healthcare systems, processes and ecological changes that affect healthcare to inform policy to meet changing societal needs.

Career outcomes

Graduates of the Master of Nursing will be eligible to apply for registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and practice in a diverse range of primary, secondary or tertiary healthcare settings throughout Australia. Southern Cross is renowned for its leadership, education and clinical expertise in nursing. SCU is highly sought after across the globe.

With further qualifications, registered nurses can pursue clinical specialities and become nurse practitioners, senior defence force personnel, research coordinators, academics, or business owners.

Fees and CSP

Estimated total tuition fee in 2025: $11,592 (Commonwealth Supported Place)

The total tuition fee is calculated based on a total study load of 192 credit points.

A student’s annual fee may vary depending on:

• The number of units studied.
• Choice of courses.
• 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 only need to pay some of your tuition fees. The student contribution amount is 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 course 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.