Master of Nursing (Rural and Remote)

What you will study

To earn this degree, students must complete 12 units.

Core courses

• Contexts of Practice
• Research Project Design
• Health Policy Analysis and Review
• Research Design and Methodologies
• The Law and Health Care Practice or Culture as Determinants of Health

Research course

• Health Masters Project (two units)

Specialisation courses

• Introduction to Rural and Remote Nursing Practice
• Emergency Nursing in Isolated Practice
• Diagnostics and Assessment
• Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacology for Scheduled Medicines
• Situational Practice: clinical and critical decision-making skills

Entry requirements

• Completed a three-year bachelor's degree in the area of nursing from an Australian university or equivalent.
• Hold a current professional registration as a Division 1 nurse, or equivalent, with either the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) or a relevant regulatory body in the applicant's home country.
• Provide written confirmation from your manager stating that you are currently employed as a registered nurse and can complete the required hours of clinical mentorship in your workplace.

English language requirements

To meet the English language requirements for this degree, we accept the minimum English language proficiency scores from one of the following tests. Your test must be completed within two years of applying to UniSQ.

• IELTS (Academic): Minimum overall score of 7.0 and a minimum score of 7.0 in each of the four components - listening, reading, writing and speaking.
• Pearson Test of English: Minimum overall score of 65 and a minimum score of 65 in each of the four communicative skills - listening, reading, writing and speaking.
• TOEFL iBT: Minimum total score of 94 and the following minimum score in each section of the test: 24 for listening and reading, 27 for writing and 23 for speaking.

Recognition of Prior Learning

If you have previously studied or have relevant work experience, you may be eligible for recognition of prior learning. This will help reduce the number of courses you must take to finish your program. Contact the university for more information.

Outcomes

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of this program, graduates will be able to:

• Display an advanced body of seminal, conceptual and data-based knowledge in nursing.
• Communicate advanced knowledge of research principles and methods applicable to health and nursing.
• Review conceptual and data-based literature using cognitive and technical skills to critique, evaluate and identify the best evidence to improve individual, community and population health outcomes.
• Apply evidence-based decision-making to clinical, policy, education and/or practice situations.
• Lead people and projects in diverse situations with high creativity, autonomy and accountability, demonstrating appropriate judgement and responsibility as an expert practitioner.
• Communicate highly in interpersonal, interprofessional and intercultural situations with people of diverse ages, backgrounds and needs.
• Employ advanced skills in competent, caring and professional nursing practice.

Career outcomes

• This master's degree opens up leadership opportunities within the public and private healthcare sectors. You’ll have the relevant expertise to work in a rural or remote healthcare setting.
• Your qualifications provide the specialist skills relevant to remote area nurses. You’ll have the qualifications to apply for rural and remote nursing jobs nationwide.

Fees and CSP

Indicative annual fee in 2025: $8,948 (Commonwealth Supported Place)

Indicative annual fee in 2025: $26,640 (domestic full-fee paying place)

A student’s annual fee may vary depending on:

• The number of units studied.
• 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.

FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee-paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.