Master of Clinical Nursing vs Master of Advanced Nursing: which one should you do?

To develop advanced capabilities and drive a progressive health agenda in nursing, an increasing number of Australian nurses are choosing to invest in their professional development by pursuing postgraduate degrees. According to research, between 2016 and 2021, the proportion of registered nurses in Australia with a master’s degree nearly doubled from around 19 per cent to 37 per cent.

With a plethora of postgraduate nursing courses available, however, it can be tricky to decide which one to pursue. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the differences between a Master of Clinical Nursing vs Master of Advanced Nursing including aspects such as what you’ll study, the skills you’ll develop and the types of career outcomes each degree could lead to.

Should you do a Master of Clinical Nursing or Master of Advanced Nursing?

You may want to pursue a Master of Clinical Nursing if you’re already working in a specialised area of nursing and are looking to further develop your skills and position yourself as a clinical expert in the field.

Alternatively, a Master of Advanced Nursing may be more suitable if you’re looking to step into a leadership role, develop competencies that are applicable across a broad range of healthcare settings or hone your skills in areas such as research and thesis writing.

Master of Clinical Nursing vs Master of Advanced Nursing: an overview

What is a Master of Clinical Nursing?

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Course overview

The focus of a Master of Clinical Nursing is predominantly on building confidence and competence in your area of specialisation. The course typically requires you to already be working in a specialised area of nursing as much of the coursework is designed to be directly applied to your current area of practice. Through a combination of core and specialised units, you'll build advanced skills in your chosen area of practice, develop your clinical decision-making skills and improve your nursing practice.

While the specialised units in a Master of Clinical Nursing will enhance your expertise in bolstering health service delivery and supporting better patient outcomes, the core units will help strengthen your skills in critical thinking, leadership and research.

What are the specialisations available?

There’s a wide range of specialisations available for a Master of Clinical Nursing. For example, Edith Cowan University offers specialisations in:

• Mental health
• Emergency nursing
• Critical care nursing (intensive care)
• Advanced nursing

Other specialisations may also include:

• Acute care nursing
• Addiction studies
• Cardiovascular nursing
• Child and family health
• Clinical education
• Gerontology
• Medical nursing
• Neuroscience
• Oncology
• Perioperative nursing
• Primary health nursing
• Rehabilitation
• Renal nursing
• Safety and quality in health service delivery
• Surgical nursing

What will you study?

The units you study in a Master of Clinical Nursing is highly dependent on the specialisation you choose to pursue. For example, if you choose to specialise in mental health nursing, your coursework may centre on mental health-related units that focus on mental health assessment, interventions and therapeutic approaches.

Generally speaking, however, most Master of Clinical Nursing courses include a mix of core units focused on leadership, research and evidence-based practice and specialisation units tailored to your chosen clinical area.

For example, in the Master of Clinical Nursing (Surgical Nursing) at Charles Darwin University, you’ll complete:

• Five core units, including Evidence in Healthcare, Diversity and Inclusion in Health and Nursing and Midwifery Professional Leadership. You will also complete two Nursing Project units that involve completing a literature review and formulating a strategy based on best practice and strategy principles.
• Four specialisation units such as Gastrointestinal Surgical Nursing and Orthopaedic Nursing, which aim to extend your clinical knowledge through inquiry-based learning and case studies.

What are the entry requirements?

While requirements may vary by university, most courses typically require:

• A Bachelor of Nursing or equivalent prior learning, which includes at least five years of professional experience
• Current registration with Ahpra
• Current employment in your nominated area of specialisation

How long is the Master of Clinical Nursing?

The duration of the course depends on the university and whether you choose to study full-time or part-time. For instance, the online Master of Clinical Nursing at CQUniversity can be completed in three years part-time, while the Master of Clinical Nursing at Edith Cowan University can be completed online in two years full-time.

If you can’t commit to a course for that length of time, you can consider pursuing a Graduate Certificate in Clinical Nursing which typically takes around 12 months part-time to complete.

What are the typical study modes for a Master of Clinical Nursing?

Most Master of Clinical Nursing courses are offered online with a full-time or part-time equivalent, giving you the flexibility to work while studying. If you prefer face-to-face learning, some institutions also offer an on-campus option.

What skills will you develop in a Master of Clinical Nursing?

By studying a Master of Clinical Nursing, you can expect to:

• Strengthen your clinical knowledge and become a more confident, capable practitioner within your specialty
• Develop leadership skills that will help you lead, empower and inspire in healthcare
• Advance your expertise in clinical supervision, teaching and mentorship
• Enhance your critical thinking and communication skills
• Hone your skills in research

What is a Master of Advanced Nursing?

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Course overview

Compared to the Master of Clinical Nursing, the Master of Advanced Nursing offers a broader curriculum that extends beyond direct clinical practice. With this course, you will develop competencies that prepare you to lead multidisciplinary teams, influence healthcare policy or engage in academic or research pursuits.

Many courses allow you to tailor your studies by choosing different pathways, whether that be coursework, thesis or research and by selecting electives that align with your career goals.

What are the specialisations available?

While not as extensive as a Master of Clinical Nursing, a Master of Advanced Nursing still offers a range of specialisations. Monash University, for example, offers specialisations in:

• Advanced midwifery
• Advanced nursing studies
• Education in healthcare
• Healthcare in disasters
• Leadership and management in healthcare
• Trauma nursing
• Palliative and end-of-life care

Other institutions may also offer specialisations in:

• Acute care
• Chronic and complex care
• Children and young people’s nursing
• Contemporary care of the older person
• Critical care
• Primary healthcare

What will you study?

The curriculum in a Master of Advanced Nursing course can vary significantly. Some institutions offer coursework, thesis or research pathways while others follow a single structured model with a specialisation option.

Below are some examples of what each pathway might look like:

Coursework pathway

If you choose to do a coursework pathway at Deakin University’s Master of Advanced Nursing, you will complete core units such as Ethical Dimensions in Nursing, Patient Safety and Risk Management and Research in Nursing and Midwifery. You’ll also be able to select electives that align with your interests.

Thesis pathway

If you opt for the thesis pathway at Deakin University, you will complete similar core units, but instead of completing Research in Nursing and Midwifery, you’ll undertake four Nursing Research Thesis units. You’ll also complete six credit points of electives instead of nine.

Research pathway

If you select the research pathway at Monash University for a Master of Nursing (Leadership and Management in Healthcare) course, you will complete three specialisation units and either a minor thesis or research project.

Specialisation pathway

At the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), you’re able to choose from specialisations such as chronic and complex care and acute care.

If you choose to specialise in chronic and complex care, you’ll complete eight core subjects and two electives, along with specialisation-specific units such as Diabetes Pathways and Ageing: Health Illness and Decline.

What are the entry requirements?

Entry requirements for the Master of Advanced Nursing may vary by institution but typically include:

• A Bachelor of Nursing or equivalent prior learning, which includes at least five years of professional experience
• Current registration with Ahpra
• Some courses may also require students to have a certain amount of post-registration clinical experience or be employed in their nominated area of specialisation

How long is the Master of Advanced Nursing?

The length of a Master of Advanced Nursing course varies depending on the institution. Monash University, for example, offers a two-year full-time or four-year part-time course, while Edith Cowan University’s Master of Advanced Nursing course can be completed in 18 months full-time or three years part-time.

If you’re looking for a shorter course, you may be interested in pursuing a Graduate Certificate in Advanced Nursing or a Graduate Diploma of Advanced Nursing instead.

What are the typical study modes for a Master of Advanced Nursing?

While the typical study mode is predominantly online for a Master of Advanced Nursing, some institutions may offer alternative study modes such as blended or on-campus learning options.

What skills will you develop in a Master of Advanced Nursing?

By undertaking a Master of Advanced Nursing, you can expect to:

• Enhance clinical leadership and decision-making capabilities
• Learn to lead innovative and evidence-based nursing practices
• Strengthen your ability to evaluate the impact of care delivery on health outcomes
• Gain expertise in designing and implementing research projects that inform practice
• Have the ability to apply creative approaches to address complex health-related challenges

Key differences summed up between a Master of Clinical Nursing vs Master of Advanced Nursing in Australia

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Master of Clinical Nursing vs Master of Advanced Nursing: career outcomes

Both postgraduate degrees can open doors to a wide range of nursing career paths. Below are some common career pathways for both degrees along with a general overview of responsibilities and indicative salary ranges in Australia.

Master of Clinical Nursing career outcomes

Graduates of a Master of Clinical Nursing tend to move into advanced clinical positions within their chosen specialty.

Typical career paths

Clinical nurse

A registered nurse with advanced training and expertise in a specific clinical area. Responsibilities may include providing expert clinical leadership, developing and coordinating care plans, conducting comprehensive health assessments and using advanced clinical judgement.

Average annual salary: $110,000

Clinical nurse specialist

An advanced practice nurse with specialised clinical knowledge in a particular field such as mental health, critical care or oncology. Responsibilities may include delivering specialised patient care, mentoring junior staff, contributing to clinical education and participating in research and quality improvement initiatives.

Average annual salary: $115,000

Nurse unit manager

Oversees nursing operations within a specific hospital ward or unit. Responsibilities may include managing patient care delivery, supervising nursing staff, allocating resources and maintaining budgets.

Average annual salary: $130,000

Clinical nurse consultant

A senior nurse with specialist expertise who provides advice, clinical guidance and leadership within a specific clinical area. Responsibilities may include managing complex patient cases, offering expert consultation, mentoring nursing staff and using clinical expertise to lead initiatives.

Average annual salary: $135,000

Master of Advanced Nursing career outcomes

Graduates with a Master of Advanced Nursing often step into leadership roles across the healthcare sector, with many pursuing pathways in education, research and quality improvement. Graduates may also work in roles similar to those held by Master of Clinical Nursing graduates such as clinical nurse consultant, clinical nurse specialist or nurse unit manager.

Typical career paths

Clinical quality assurance coordinator

Supports various aspects of quality improvement within a healthcare organisation. Responsibilities may include managing client feedback, supporting systems and process reviews, assisting with quality improvement projects and delivering staff training on quality management principles.

Average annual salary: $85,000

Research nurse

Coordinates clinical trials and healthcare research studies. Responsibilities may include planning and managing projects, ensuring compliance with research protocols, overseeing participant recruitment and supporting data collection and reporting to ensure trial success.

Average annual salary: $97,000

Clinical nurse educator

Plays a key role in coaching and educating nursing staff. Responsibilities may include delivering clinical education programs, supporting onboarding and orientation processes and fostering a proactive learning culture across the organisation.

Average annual salary: $103,000

Care manager

Leads and manages clinical teams, often within aged care or community health settings. Responsibilities may include providing clinical oversight, mentoring staff, developing and implementing policies and procedures and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.

Average annual salary: $120,000

Master of Clinical Nursing vs Master of Advanced Nursing: which one to choose?

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Not sure which postgraduate course is right for you? When it comes to choosing between a Master of Clinical Nursing and Master of Advanced Nursing, you’ll need to consider factors such as career goals, experience and skills you’re looking to develop.

Some questions to consider include:

What are your career goals?

If your goal is to become highly skilled and confident in a specific area of clinical practice and move into roles such as clinical nurse specialist or clinical nurse consultant, a Master of Clinical Nursing could be the right choice. It’s ideal if you’re looking to hone your clinical capabilities and elevate the care you provide within your specialty.

On the other hand, if you’re aiming to take the next step in your career, a Master of Advanced Nursing may be more suitable. Whether that’s stepping into a leadership position or contributing to healthcare research, its broader curriculum is designed to support your career development in a range of environments.

What skills are you looking to develop?

If you’re looking to advance your clinical capabilities within a specialised area of patient care, a Master of Clinical Nursing could be the right fit. While you’ll also develop skills in areas such as communication and leadership, the primary focus is on clinical practice.

For instance, if you were to pursue a Master of Clinical Nursing (Medical Nursing) at Charles Darwin University, you’ll be completing four specialised units (cardiac, endocrinology, neurological and respiratory nursing) that focus on medical nursing.

If you’re more interested in building skills related to research, system-level healthcare improvement or strategic leadership, a Master of Advanced Nursing could be a better fit. There’s the option to choose courses that offer coursework, research or thesis pathways and select electives that align with your interests.

At UTS, for example, if you pursue a Master of Advanced Nursing you can select from over 10 electives which includes units such as Contemporary Approaches to Digital Health, Organisational Management in Healthcare and Strategic Learning in Workplaces.

How confident are you in your chosen specialty?

If you’re already working in a specialised area of nursing and are confident you want to stay in that field, a Master of Clinical Nursing may be the better choice. Most units in this degree are designed to be applied directly to your current area of practice, allowing you to immediately integrate your learnings and improve your practice.

On the other hand, if you’re still exploring different options, a Master of Advanced Nursing may be a better fit as it tends to provide broader flexibility. With this course, you’ll generally be able to select your electives and pathways, tailoring your studies to suit your evolving interests or career goals.

What type of experience do you have?

If you’re currently working in a specialised area of nursing such as emergency, perioperative or mental health, a Master of Clinical Nursing could be a better fit. The course typically requires you to be employed in your area of specialisation, allowing you to apply what you’ve learned in real-time.

On the other hand, a Master of Advanced Nursing is typically geared towards nurses with broader or more general experience. While some courses may have minimum experience requirements, many don’t require you to be working in a specific specialty. This makes it a suitable option if you’re looking to explore new areas, transition into leadership or broaden your professional scope beyond direct clinical care.

Are you considering a future study pathway like a PhD?

If you’re thinking about moving into academia or taking on research-focused roles, the Master of Advanced Nursing might be the better fit. Many courses offer a research or thesis pathway, which can serve as a stepping stone toward doctoral-level study or research-intensive careers.

Finding the right fit

Whichever path you take, both a Master of Clinical Nursing and a Master of Advanced Nursing offer valuable opportunities to enhance your practice, grow your career and make a greater impact in the field of nursing.

If you’re ready to take the next step, take a look at the list of Master of Advanced Nursing and Master of Clinical Nursing courses available on the GlobalHealth Education website. Healthcare courses are also offered in other disciplines such as psychology, counselling, mental health, public health, leadership and management, nursing and social work. To apply, simply enquire to connect with a Student Enrolment Advisor.