Master of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner)

What you will study

Students must complete 72 units comprising:

• 54 units for all core courses
• 18 units for all work-integrated learning

Unless otherwise indicated, each course is worth six units.

Entry requirements

Admission criteria

To be eligible, an applicant must have achieved the following minimum entry requirements and demonstrate they fulfil any prerequisite and essential criteria for admission. In cases where there are more eligible applicants than available places, admission will be competitive with ranks based on the entry criteria.

• A completed postgraduate qualification (AQF level 8 or higher) from a recognised higher education institution in a clinical field; AND
• Hold current registration as a Registered Nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA); AND
• Have a minimum of 2000 hours or two years full-time equivalent of advanced practice experience in their specialty area, as well as two years full-time equivalent experience as a Registered Nurse; AND
• Be currently employed as a Registered Nurse and have clinical support from their workplace/employer to complete the study and the 300 hours of work-integrated learning.

Essential requirements

• Upon entry to the program, all students must confirm they meet the Fitness to Practice in Clinical Placements requirements.

Additional requirements

• Students are required to maintain registration as a Registered Nurse for the duration of their study.
• Students are required to demonstrate skills, knowledge and aptitude reflective of the Nurse Practitioner standards for practice (2021).
• Students are required to maintain a clinical support team to supervise their clinical development.
• Required to complete a minimum of 300 hours of integrated clinical practice.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Adelaide University is committed to recognising the contribution of students’ prior learning towards their program requirements.

Credit may be granted for formal, informal and non-formal learning, with guidance on eligibility provided to prospective students in a clear, transparent and publicly available credit framework.

Credit determinations will be:

• Evidence-based, equitable and transparent.
• Academically sound.
• Applied consistently, fairly and subject to review.

Credit will be granted for prior learning that is relevant and equivalent to the learning required for the courses for which credit is sought.

Credit will only be granted if it:

• Maintains the credibility and integrity of the program for which credit is sought.
• Does not contravene the conditions of the program’s professional accreditation.
• Does not disadvantage the student’s ability to achieve the expected course or program learning outcomes.

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

Outcomes

Learning outcomes

• You’ll learn how to conduct advanced health assessments, order and interpret investigations, diagnose, prescribe medication and formulate treatment plans.
• You’ll be mentored within the workplace to develop the advanced knowledge and skills required to extend your scope of practice.

Career outcomes

Once you’ve successfully completed this degree, you’ll be eligible to seek endorsement as a Nurse Practitioner in your aligned scope of practice. This will allow you to take on a range of additional advanced responsibilities in roles across Australia. You might develop and manage holistic treatment plans to address physical and mental health needs. You may perform advanced health assessments, investigating, diagnosing and providing treatment plans, including prescribing, de-prescribing and referring to other health professionals.

Fees and CSP

Estimated student contribution amount per 1.0 EFTSL (48 units) in 2026: $4,738 (Commonwealth Supported Place)

Commonwealth-supported students are charged a portion of the cost of their higher education through a student contribution. Where the duration of the program is less than one year, the total cost of the program is displayed.

Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP)

A Commonwealth Supported Place is a higher education place where the Australian Government subsidises your fees so that you only pay a portion through a student contribution amount.

The amount of student contribution you’ll pay depends on:

• Number of courses you are enrolled in.
• Unit value of courses.
• Funding cluster your courses fall under.

A HECS-HELP loan allows students to borrow from the Australian Government to cover some or all of their student contribution. To be eligible for HECS-HELP, you must be studying in a Commonwealth Supported Place.