Why Master of Nursing (Graduate Entry)?
Join the registered nurse workforce in just two years.
A career as a registered nurse (RN) is deeply rewarding. Registered nurses work as the backbone of Australia’s healthcare system, working in and with different departments, locations and people. Each day is different and offers both challenges and opportunities to provide care.
Studying nursing via graduate entry will prepare you to become a registered nurse in an accelerated two-year program. Learn professional skills and nursing knowledge in disciplines crossing biosciences, social sciences, law and communication. Develop your confidence in professional practice by participating in immersive simulations. Engage in over 800 hours of hands-on learning and placements in clinical environments.
Overview
Adelaide University’s Master of Nursing (Graduate Entry) will prepare you for a rewarding career as a registered nurse. As an accelerated program, you’ll learn the foundations of nursing and practice your first hands-on skills from your very first semester.
This qualification will prepare you to provide care across the full lifespan. You’ll learn the scope of practice as a registered nurse across all areas – from initial assessment and technical skills to triage and documentation. You’ll learn foundational biosciences, socio-political perspectives, and vital skills in evidence-based research and respectful communication that will underpin your everyday practice.
You’ll get a hands-on perspective of the many care settings nurses can work in with 800 hours of workplace experience. Learn in aged care, acute care and general healthcare settings, and feel confident to step into all kinds of roles when you graduate.
You’ll graduate able to apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, the governing body for registered nurses across Australia.
Key features
Learn the professional, technical, and social skills to succeed as a registered nurse in just two years.- Engage in over 800 hours of workplace experience in dedicated and general healthcare settings.
- Practice your hands-on skills through immersive simulations and collaborative workshops.
- Develop your theory and understanding of nursing in Australia’s healthcare system.
- Work with the varying needs of patients to provide culturally safe care and communications.
- Graduate with a qualification ripe for lifelong learning through further specialisation.
What you'll learn
The Master of Nursing (Graduate Entry) is a two-year program that prepares you to work as a registered nurse.
This degree can be studied mostly online, but in-person participation is mandatory for certain core courses, workshops and clinical placements.
Your first year introduces you to the biosciences that inform nursing care. Develop your theory in areas like pharmacology, preventing infection, and science in clinical practice. You’ll discover the socio-political landscape of Australia’s nursing system, including history, ethics and how to communicate as a professional. You’ll consider some of the key clinical areas that inform Australia’s healthcare system, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander healthcare and mental healthcare practice.
In your second year, you'll focus on real-world application while exploring forward-looking topics such as leadership, management and evidence-based practice.
Across both years, you’ll benefit from practical learning in immersive simulated environments and real-world industry environments. Gain hands-on experience in real-world settings, including aged care, acute care, and other clinical placements.
You’ll graduate with the key competencies to become a successful RN and become registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia – the main board for registration standards in Australia. You’ll also be equipped with skills to go into different workplace environments to upskill later in your career.
What courses you'll study
Complete 96 units comprising:
- 72 units for all Core courses, and
- 24 units for all Work integrated learning
Complete 72 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Course name
Pharmacotherapeutics for Nursing Practice
|
Course code
NURS5001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Fundamentals of Nursing Knowledge 1
|
Course code
NURS5002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Professional Nursing Practice
|
Course code
NURS5003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Mental Health Nursing Practice
|
Course code
NURS5006
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Aboriginal Health M
|
Course code
NURS5025
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Translating Evidence into Practice
|
Course code
NURS5115
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Fundamentals of Nursing Knowledge 2
|
Course code
NURS5901
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Concepts of Leadership and Management in Health
|
Course code
NURS6000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Applied Nursing Knowledge 1
|
Course code
NURS6001
|
Units
12
|
|
|
Course name
Applied Nursing Knowledge 2
|
Course code
NURS6002
|
Units
12
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 2 | |||
 |
Course name
Pharmacotherapeutics for Nursing Practice
|
Course code
NURS5001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Fundamentals of Nursing Knowledge 1
|
Course code
NURS5002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Professional Nursing Practice
|
Course code
NURS5003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Clinical Nursing Practice 1
|
Course code
NURS5902
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Mental Health Nursing Practice
|
Course code
NURS5006
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Aboriginal Health M
|
Course code
NURS5025
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Fundamentals of Nursing Knowledge 2
|
Course code
NURS5901
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Clinical Nursing Practice 2
|
Course code
NURS5903
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Translating Evidence into Practice
|
Course code
NURS5115
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Applied Nursing Knowledge 1
|
Course code
NURS6001
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Clinical Nursing Practice 3
|
Course code
NURS6902
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Concepts of Leadership and Management in Health
|
Course code
NURS6000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Applied Nursing Knowledge 2
|
Course code
NURS6002
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Clinical Nursing Practice 4
|
Course code
NURS6903
|
Units
6
|
Complete 24 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Clinical Nursing Practice 1
|
Course code
NURS5902
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Clinical Nursing Practice 2
|
Course code
NURS5903
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Clinical Nursing Practice 3
|
Course code
NURS6902
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Clinical Nursing Practice 4
|
Course code
NURS6903
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Pharmacotherapeutics for Nursing Practice
|
Course code
NURS5001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Fundamentals of Nursing Knowledge 1
|
Course code
NURS5002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Professional Nursing Practice
|
Course code
NURS5003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Clinical Nursing Practice 1
|
Course code
NURS5902
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Mental Health Nursing Practice
|
Course code
NURS5006
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Aboriginal Health M
|
Course code
NURS5025
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Fundamentals of Nursing Knowledge 2
|
Course code
NURS5901
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Clinical Nursing Practice 2
|
Course code
NURS5903
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Translating Evidence into Practice
|
Course code
NURS5115
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Applied Nursing Knowledge 1
|
Course code
NURS6001
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Clinical Nursing Practice 3
|
Course code
NURS6902
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Concepts of Leadership and Management in Health
|
Course code
NURS6000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Applied Nursing Knowledge 2
|
Course code
NURS6002
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Clinical Nursing Practice 4
|
Course code
NURS6903
|
Units
6
|
Career outcomes
Registered nurses work all over Australia. They work in our hospitals, community clinics and in rural areas, providing patient-centred care for adults and children alike.
Your career options upon graduating are diverse. You could work in settings ranging from:
- Public or private hospitals
- Community support services
- Aged and rehabilitative care
- Drug and alcohol treatment centres
- Community health organisations
- Schools
- Home care
- Mental health services
- International aid agencies
- Corrections facilities
- Policy and management
- Tertiary education.
Industry trends
No two nursing careers are identical. The scope of practice for each nurse is shaped by the unique characteristics of their workplace environment (Nursing and Midwifery Board, 2024). Adelaide University’s curriculum will expose you to a variety of the workplaces you can work in and prepare you for success in any environment with skills in leadership, inquiry, and collaboration.
Accreditation
This program is accredited by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) and approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA). Graduates are eligible to apply for registration as a ‘Registered Nurse’ with the NMBA.
Ready to apply?
Your study experience and support
Adelaide University sets you up for success in your studies – and your social life. You’ll have access to work placement and internship opportunities, overseas study tours and exchanges, networking events with guest speakers and more. Our campuses are equipped with purpose-built facilities including lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and spaces that simulate real work environments. These are all supported by the latest technologies and a 24/7 online learning platform with personalised study information and resources.
You’ll have everything you need to live well and thrive during your studies, with health services on campus, gymnasiums, technology zones and modern student lounges. Get involved in campus sport or join our student clubs that will connect you to your passions – and the people who share them.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit your individual requirements and budget, with options ranging from dedicated student accommodation to private rentals. One of the world’s most liveable cities, Adelaide has lots of leafy parks, gardens and social hubs – and some of the highest living standards globally. No matter where you are in Adelaide, you’re only a short distance from beaches, vineyards, museums, art galleries, restaurants, bars and parklands. Visit the accommodation web page to find out more.
Student services
We’re here to support you on your student journey. Adelaide University offers a range of support services and facilities, including:
- Career advice and mentoring services
- Personal counselling
- LGBTQIA+ support
- Academic support
- Fees and finance help
- Security services
- Accommodation services
- Common rooms
- Prayer rooms.
You’ll also have unlimited access to our dedicated student support hub. Visit in-person or online, or contact our friendly team by phone. We can assist you with anything study-related including enrolment, identification cards, timetables, fees and more.
Your campus
You'll be studying at one of our renowned campuses, accessing cutting-edge facilities and contemporary study spaces.
Study hours
Your courses will require a combination of different learning formats, including lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Aside from your classes, you’ll also need to allocate additional time for independent study. This may include assignments, readings, projects and contributing to online discussion forums. As a rough guide, full-time studies may require 12-26 hours of class time and 14-18 hours of independent study per week.
Assessment
During your studies at Adelaide University, you’ll complete a mixture of practical, professional and research-based learning. Your assessment types will vary depending on the degree you’re studying, but may include:
- Case studies
- Essays and assignments
- Examinations
- Group projects
- Internships and placements
- Practicals
- Presentations
- Reports and project documentations
- Research projects
- Workplace and classroom contributions.
