University of South Australia
Master of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner)
- Delivery: Online
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 3 years
Designed to meet industry needs head-on, this program is for Registered Nurses who want the expertise and authority to diagnose and treat people of all ages with various acute or chronic health conditions.
Course overview
Degree overview
- Upskill to meet Australia's rapidly growing demand for a Nurse Practitioner workforce.
- Prepare yourself with the advanced knowledge and skills required for endorsement as a Nurse Practitioner with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).
- Further your knowledge, experience and opportunities in evidence-based practice to become an expert clinician.
- Gain a master's degree from a university ranked in the World Top 100 for nursing.
- Join South Australia’s No.1 university for teaching quality in nursing and midwifery.
- Learn from industry-endorsed Nurse Practitioners at a university with well-above world-class research in nursing.
- Join South Australia’s No.1 university for student satisfaction in nursing.
- Be supported by online learning resources, available 24/7.
- UniSA is an unstoppable university for unstoppable people. As one of the World’s Top Young Universities, we’ll ensure you get the experience your future profession demands, so it’ll feel like you’re studying one minute and in a career the next.
With the Master of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner), Registered Nurses can acquire additional knowledge, skills and competencies for expanded practice and work at the advanced level of Nurse Practitioner (NP), which is the highest autonomous role for nurses in Australia.
This qualification prepares you for endorsement as a Nurse Practitioner. It explores the role of Nurse Practitioners in the delivery of Australian healthcare, including the legal, ethical and professional issues relating to autonomous and multi-disciplinary practice.
Only part-time study is available, over a minimum of three years, to be flexible around your work and life schedule. As part of your studies, you’ll be involved in 300 hours of supernumerary integrated professional practice experience across several courses in the program.
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 earn the Master of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner), students must complete eight courses. Unless otherwise indicated, each course is worth 4.5 units.
Core courses
Complete the following courses:
- Becoming a Nurse Practitioner
- Clinical Inquiry
- Research for Advancing Nursing, Midwifery and Health Care (nine units)
- Advanced Health Assessment, Diagnostics and Investigations (nine units)
- Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Nursing Practice (nine units)
- Nurse Practitioner Internship 1
- Epidemiology for Advanced Practice
- Nurse Practitioner Internship 2 (nine units)
Entry requirements
All applicants must:
- Hold current general registration as a registered nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia; and
- Hold a postgraduate qualification from a recognised higher education institution in a relevant clinical field.
In addition, to be accepted into the program, applicants will be required to provide documentation including:
- A CV demonstrating a minimum of four years full-time equivalent experience as a Registered Nurse, including two years full-time equivalent as a Registered Nurse in a clinical field and two years full-time equivalent at an advanced practice level in the same clinical field; and
- Signed support forms and CVS from a suitably qualified Clinical Support Team that will assist applicants in the development and extension of their specialist practice. The Program Director must approve the Clinical Support Team; and
- A completed and signed Employer Support Form as evidence that the applicant’s employer is willing to facilitate the extended clinical practice components of the program within their workplace or related agencies.
The Information for Prospective Students pack includes an application checklist and all required forms.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Credit transfer (study credit) formally recognises your prior learning and work/life experience. It can be granted for specific courses (subjects) or a block of courses where your previous qualification or experience is equivalent to the learning.
So, what counts as prior learning? It can be from one of the following providers:
- Recognised higher education provider.
- TAFE or other recognised VET provider.
- A professional body, enterprise, private educational institution, or other similar body.
- Work experience.
Contact the university for more information.
Outcomes
Learning outcomes
This qualification prepares you for the advanced level of practice of a Nurse Practitioner. You'll gain advanced knowledge and skills in areas including but not limited to:
- Assessing and diagnosing health problems
- Ordering and interpreting diagnoses and investigative procedures
- Designing and assessing responses to treatment plans
- Prescribing and evaluating medicines
- Referring patients to other health professionals
You'll also become competent in designing research relevant to the role and develop your understanding of advanced epidemiology concepts.
Career outcomes
Nurse Practitioners work at an advanced scope of practice in diverse areas, caring for specific patient populations or communities from metropolitan to remote locations. They are specialist clinicians and leaders, able to work and inspire colleagues in subject areas including but not limited to:
- Emergency departments and acute care
- Primary healthcare
- Mental health
- Aged care
- Regional and remote care
- Respiratory care
- Renal care
- Paediatrics
- Community health
- Health prevention
- Cardiac care
- Intensive care
- Orthopaedics
- Public health
- Private healthcare
Fees and CSP
Estimated total fee in 2025: $7,526.38 (Commonwealth Supported Place)
The estimated total fee is calculated based on a study load of 54 units or eight courses.
Student fees 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.
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 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.
