University of Southern Queensland
Master of Nursing (Rural and Remote)
- Delivery: Online
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 3 years
Advance your nursing skills in rural, remote and isolated practice.
Course overview
UniSQ's Master of Nursing allows you to apply specialised knowledge, skills and technical abilities across five specialisations. Build specialist skills to review data-based research while identifying and implementing best practice care to improve individual and community health outcomes.
Study the flexible Master of Nursing program online and part-time, progressing your career while fitting study into your life and current nursing occupation. Tailor your enrolment pattern to suit your interests. Focus on the clinical aspects of nursing or select the research pathway to develop enhanced skills in health research.
In the Master of Nursing (Rural and Remote) program, you will become a remote area nurse with the expertise required to adapt your practice to the social, cultural and geographic challenges in an isolated healthcare setting. Build your knowledge of the political contexts, legal implications and the importance of cultural safety while providing advanced nursing care to rural and remote clients. Lastly, in this program, you will gain the necessary rural and remote nursing training to enhance your clinical decision-making for patients who are acutely ill or in an emergency care setting.
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
1st June, 2026
14th September, 2026
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
Estimated annual fee in 2026: $8,948 (Commonwealth Supported Place)
The estimated 2026 annual fee is based on the current average rate for your first year of study (eight units per year) and does not include the cost of materials such as textbooks, additional costs or the Student Services and Amenities fee.
This is an indicative guide only. Your fees will vary depending on the courses you select, with the actual rates calculated at enrolment. The University of Southern Queensland review its fees annually. They may increase each year.
You may not have to pay your course (subject) fees upfront. HECS-HELP is a government loan scheme that allows you to defer payment until your income reaches a certain threshold.
