Can I study a Master of Nursing without a nursing background in Australia?

According to the Australian Government, there are currently over 337,000 registered nurses across the country and demand is expected to rise as Australia’s population grows and ages. If you already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field and are considering a career that offers purpose, job security and the opportunity to make a difference, nursing may be the career path for you.

While you could choose to study a Bachelor of Nursing, if you already hold a bachelor’s degree, you may be looking for a more accelerated pathway.

Is it possible to pursue a Master of Nursing without a background in nursing? In this article, we'll answer the above question and take a closer look at the difference between Master of Nursing and Master of Nursing (Graduate Entry) courses including what they are, who it is for, entry requirements and more.

Would I be able to study a Master of Nursing without a nursing background in Australia?

Yes, however you will only be eligible to undertake a Master of Nursing (Graduate Entry) course rather than a Master of Nursing course.

A Master of Nursing (Graduate Entry) course is designed for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another discipline but wish to pursue a career as a registered nurse in Australia. Depending on the university, the course may be offered under different titles. For instance, the course is called Master of Nursing Science at The University of Melbourne or Master of Nursing Practice at La Trobe University.

A Master of Nursing course, on the other hand, is intended for qualified registered nurses who are seeking to advance their expertise in areas such as leadership, research or specialised clinical practice.

What are the differences between a Master of Nursing and Master of Nursing (Graduate Entry) course?

Although both courses carry Master of Nursing in their title, they are distinctly different in their purpose, entry requirements, course content and career outcomes.

Master of Nursing (Graduate Entry)

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What is a Master of Nursing (Graduate Entry)?

Typically completed in two years full-time, a Master of Nursing (Graduate Entry) allows individuals who hold an undergraduate degree in a non-nursing discipline to transition into the nursing profession through an accelerated postgraduate-level qualification.

The course combines theoretical learning with practical training and supervised clinical placements to equip students with the competencies required for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).

While course names may vary depending on the university, they all serve the same purpose of preparing individuals with no prior nursing background for professional registration and a career in nursing.

Some course name variations may include:

• Master of Nursing Practice
• Master of Nursing Science
• Master of Nursing (Pre-Registration)

What will you study?

A Master of Nursing (Graduate Entry) is typically structured in a way where you’ll first learn foundational theory and skills in nursing before having the opportunity to put your classroom-based learning into practice through clinical placements.

For instance, in the Master of Nursing Science at The University of Melbourne, you’ll complete foundational units such as Foundations of Nursing and Human Pathophysiology before undertaking clinical placements to further apply your knowledge across diverse healthcare settings.

What are the entry requirements?

While it varies by institution, entry requirements for a Master of Nursing (Graduate Entry) course typically include:

• Having an undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in any discipline, completed not more than 10 years prior to the date of application. If your bachelor’s degree was completed more than 10 years before you submit your application, evidence of higher education or at least five years of work experience may be considered as an alternative.
• One credit point unit of study in human anatomy, or physiology or a related area from any recognised tertiary institution or equivalent

Who is it for?

This course is ideal for individuals who already hold a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field and are looking to pivot into a career in nursing. It is not suitable for those who already have a nursing qualification or are a registered nurses in Australia.

If you’re considering a rewarding profession in healthcare and are willing to commit to at least two years of study, this could be the right path for you. While it is an intensive course with a mix of theory and hands-on clinical placements, it will equip you with the skills required to enter the nursing profession with confidence.

Career outcomes

Upon graduation, you will be eligible to apply for registration with the NMBA as a registered nurse. From there, you can apply for graduate nurse programs across Australia or begin working as a registered nurse in settings such as hospitals, aged care and community health.

Master of Nursing

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What is a Master of Nursing?

A Master of Nursing course is for registered nurses in Australia who would like to take on more advanced and challenging nursing roles by enhancing their research capabilities and developing specialist knowledge and expertise.

There are several types of Master of Nursing courses available to suit various interests and career goals. While most provide opportunities to build expertise in specialised areas of practice, others focus on honing your research skills. There is also the Master of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner) course that equips you with the competencies to practise at the highest level of clinical nursing.

What will you study?

The content of a Master of Nursing course depends on the type of course and its focus:

Master of Nursing with specialisations

This is the most common type of Master of Nursing course. Specialisations are offered across a diverse range of areas such as acute nursing, emergency nursing, clinical leadership, paediatric and adolescent nursing and cancer nursing. While you will still complete core units in areas such as research, governance and communication, the specialisation component allows you to gain in-depth knowledge and expertise in your chosen area of interest.

For example, in the Master of Nursing at James Cook University, students who specialise in advanced practice will complete core subjects such as Persuasive Communication and Effective Clinical Governance, along with specialisation units such as Advanced Health Assessment and Quality Use of Medicines in Practice.

Master of Nursing (General)

As Master of Nursing (General) courses don't have a particular specialisation, they are more holistic in nature. This allows for more personalisation as you can choose from a range of electives and gain expertise in areas that align with your nursing career goals.

The Master of Nursing (General) at the University of Southern Queensland, for instance, includes core units such as Contexts of Practice and Research Project Design as well as elective units that can be chosen from areas such as clinical education, gerontology and clinical leadership.

Master of Nursing (Research)

Master of Nursing (Research) courses focus on developing advanced enquiry and research capabilities. While most courses involve the completion of a research thesis, others, such as the Master of Nursing (Research) at the University of Newcastle, combine coursework with specialised research units such as Clinical Epidemiology and Research Protocol Design.

Master of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner)

A Master of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner) course is geared towards registered nurses looking to become nurse practitioners. The course will equip you with additional knowledge and skills for expanded clinical practice at an advanced level.

The Master of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner) course at Federation University, for example, includes units such as Quality Use of Medicines, Advanced Practice in Healthcare and Leadership Development in Health Contexts. Upon graduation, you will be eligible to apply for endorsement as a nurse practitioner with the (NMBA).

What are the entry requirements?

The entry requirements for a Master of Nursing course varies depending on the type of course and the institution offering it.

Master of Nursing (General) or with specialisations

Most of these courses require applicants to:

• Be a registered nurse with Ahpra
• Have at least one to two years of full-time clinical experience
• In some cases, be employed in the relevant clinical speciality area for which they are applying

Master of Nursing (Research)

Requirements differ between institutions, but common requirements are:

• Be a registered nurse with Ahpra
• Have at least one year of professional nursing experience
• Completion of an honours year
• Completion of a relevant postgraduate qualification
• Access to appropriate facilities, resources and supervisory expertise within the department or school to support the proposed area of research

Master of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner)

While specific requirements may vary, applicants are generally expected to:

• Be a registered nurse with Ahpra
• Hold a postgraduate qualification in their specialty area
• Have between three to five years of full-time post-registration experience, including a minimum number of years in the chosen specialty area at an advanced practice level
• Currently work in an advanced clinical nursing role
• Provide documentation from the director of nursing or equivalent supporting advanced nursing practice status

Who is it for?

A Master of Nursing course, whether general or with a specialisation, is suited to registered nurses who are looking to advance their nursing career and develop key skills to become a leader in the nursing industry. Graduates commonly move into nurse leadership roles such as clinical nurse specialist, clinical nurse consultant, nurse unit manager, nurse educator, nursing informatics manager or director of nursing.

A Master of Nursing (Research) is best suited to those interested in pursuing a PhD or a career in nursing research, policy or academia. Career outcomes may include clinical research nurse, policy advisor or academic researcher.

A Master of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner) is designed specifically for nurses who aspire to become endorsed nurse practitioners and practise at the highest level of clinical nursing.

Key differences summed up between a Master of Nursing vs Master of Nursing (Graduate Entry)

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Master of Nursing (Graduate Entry) courses in Australia

Below is a list of Master of Nursing (Graduate Entry) courses offered by various Australian universities. While this is a comprehensive list, course offerings may change over time. Please visit the institution’s website for the most updated offerings.

Master of Nursing courses in Australia

Below is a list of Master of Nursing courses offered by various Australian institutions. While this is a comprehensive list, course offerings may change over time. Please visit the university’s website for the most up-to-date information.

Pursue a rewarding career as a nurse

If you’re looking to become a nurse but don’t have a background in nursing, a Master of Nursing (Graduate Entry) offers a direct and accelerated pathway into the profession. As you gain confidence and experience in the field, you may consider advancing your career through a Master of Nursing course.

Take a look at the full range of postgraduate nursing courses available on GlobalHealth Education. In addition to master’s nursing courses, you will also find graduate certificate and graduate diploma options. You’ll also find a range of healthcare courses in other fields including social work, psychology, counselling, leadership and management, mental health and public health.