This course is part of an articulated program of study. Articulated programs allow you to build on your study to achieve the right level of qualification for you.
At Charles Sturt you can create a world worth living in. Let's do it together.
When you study with Charles Sturt, you'll join a strong academic community. you'll learn from and connect with industry leaders and experienced nursing academics, so you can build on your existing knowledge and skills.
Choose from five industry-aligned specialisations: aged care, clinical education, leadership and management, research for clinical practice or rural and remote nursing. These specialisations give you the opportunity to explore an area related to your career, an area you're passionate about or an area you'd like to move into.
As Australia's most experienced online uni, we know what it takes to study online. Delivered 100 per cent online, this course gives you the option to fast-track your career as you continue to work. you'll also get to experience small virtual class numbers, guaranteeing one-to-one support and direct access to your subject coordinators. You can choose to exit with a graduate certificate or graduate diploma, allowing you the flexibility to complete your study when it suits you and still receive a qualification. What's more, you could use the Graduate Certificate in Nursing (Aged Care), Graduate Certificate in Nursing (Clinical Education), Graduate Certificate in Nursing (Leadership and Management) or Graduate Certificate in Nursing (Rural and Remote Nursing) as a pathway into your master's.
Interested in exploring postgraduate research opportunities? You can make a real and lasting difference with Charles Sturt. Our nursing academics are known for their research excellence in key subject areas, including regional and remote communities, and improving health outcomes. The new research specialisation means you can apply your research skills to improve practice - and create a real difference.
As a graduate, you'll be able to demonstrate a high level of skill and responsibility in clinical decision-making and provide advanced care in complex circumstances. you'll collaborate with other health professionals as you work to improve health outcomes. And you'll influence all levels of care while promoting quality health outcomes for individuals, families, communities and healthcare systems through strong leadership and sound research. Utilise your critical-thinking skills and ability to apply evidence to practice, so you can transition into diverse and challenging nursing roles. These could include leadership and advanced nursing practice positions, including, clinical nurse specialist and nurse educator, clinical nurse consultant, and nurse manager.
For each 8-point subject you are enrolled in, you should expect to spend 10 to 12 hours per week working on assignments and assigned readings, tutorial assistance, individual or group research/study, forum activity, workplace learning, and attending lectures, intensive schools, or examinations. If you are studying four subjects per session, this is equivalent to a full-time job. The workload for some subjects may vary as a result of approved course design.
You may need to attend an online or on-campus intensive school for certain subjects in this course. These schools usually involve lectures, tutorials and practicals that will give you a deeper understanding of your subject.
| NRS566 | Advanced Nursing Practice | 8 credit pts | ||
| NRS567 | Value Based Healthcare and Critical Inquiry | 16 credit pts | ||
| IKC502 | Critical Studies: Indigenous Australian Cultures, Histories and Contemporary Realities | 8 credit pts | ||
| HLT520 | Practice Improvement Proposal | 8 credit pts |
| Students selecting Aged Care, Clinical Education, Leadership and Management, Rural and Remote Nursing or students NOT undertaking a specialisation complete the following subject: | ||||
| HLT524 | Practice Improvement Project | 16 credit pts |
| Students select one (1) specialisation from the following: | ||||
| AC0001 | Aged Care | 32 credit pts | ||
| CE0001 | Clinical Education | 32 credit pts | ||
| LM0001 | Leadership and Management | 32 credit pts | ||
| RR0001 | Rural and Remote Nursing | 32 credit pts | ||
| RC0001 | Research for Clinical Practice | 32 credit pts |
| Students completing the Master of Nursing without a specialisation select four (4) subjects from the restricted elective list below. | ||||
| XRT008 | Restricted elective | 8 credit pts | ||
| XRT008 | Restricted elective | 8 credit pts | ||
| XRT008 | Restricted elective | 8 credit pts | ||
| XRT008 | Restricted elective | 8 credit pts |
| All students select one subject from the following: | ||||
| GER401 | Social Determinants of Ageing and Health | 8 credit pts | ||
| GER402 | Health, Wellbeing and Family Care in Later Life | 8 credit pts | ||
| GER501 | Contemporary Issues in Gerontology | 8 credit pts | ||
| HLT505 | Research Practice in Healthcare | 8 credit pts | ||
| HLT518 | Foundations of Clinical Education | 8 credit pts | ||
| HLT519 | Evaluation in Clinical Education | 8 credit pts | ||
| HLT521 | Teaching and Learning in Clinical Education | 8 credit pts | ||
| HLT523 | Assessment in Clinical Education | 8 credit pts | ||
| HML407 | Leadership Practice and Influence in Health Services | 4 credit pts | ||
| HML502 | Quality and Safety in Healthcare | 8 credit pts | ||
| HML504 | Financial Management in Health Services | 8 credit pts | ||
| HML505 | Managing Change Projects in Health Services | 16 credit pts | ||
| HML508 | Innovation and Change Management | 8 credit pts | ||
| NRS528 | Child Health Care and Promotion | 8 credit pts | ||
| NRS532 | Health Assessment for Advancing Nursing Practice | 8 credit pts | ||
| NRS533 | Advancing Emergency Care Nursing Practice | 8 credit pts | ||
| NRS555 | Palliative Care in Advanced Nursing Practice | 8 credit pts | ||
| NRS570 | Strengthening Primary Health Care with Rural Communities | 8 credit pts | ||
| NRS571 | Working with Communities to Develop Mental Health Care, Capacity and Resilience | 8 credit pts | ||
| NRS572 | Optimising Health: Living well with Chronic and Complex Conditions | 8 credit pts | ||
| NRS575 | Leadership and Clinical Governance in Aged Care | 4 credit pts | ||
| NRS576 | Clinical Leadership in Nursing | 8 credit pts | ||
| NRS577 | Leading Healthcare Improvement | 8 credit pts | ||
| NRS578 | Advanced Clinical Assessment of the Older Person | 4 credit pts |
This specialisation is designed for nurses working in aged care as clinicians, as well as emerging or current leaders working in aged care settings. Advance your assessment skills with a focus on age-related changes and the needs of aging groups. you'll also further develop your capacity to plan and provide person-centred care that enhances quality of life.
This specialisation has been revised to meet industry demands and focuses on the knowledge and skills required for advanced nursing practice. you'll develop your ability to plan, deliver and evaluate clinical education in a range of healthcare settings through a focus on adult and transformative learning principles.
Newly revitalised to meet industry needs, this specialisation has been created for clinicians, leaders and managers at all levels of healthcare with a focus on practice improvement and transformative leadership. Develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to be a successful nurse leader in the rapidly changing healthcare environment.
Interested in developing your research skills so you can contribute and improve advanced nursing practice, and leadership? This specialisation is for you. you'll increase your skills in critiquing research literature, understanding research methodologies, developing research questions, preparing a proposal, implementing a research project and reporting the findings. Upon completion, you can take your research further with entry into the Doctor of Philosophy at Charles Sturt University.
Closely developed with industry, the specialisation is the only one of its kind in New South Wales - and one of only two in Australia. Develop your capacity for safe and effective advanced nursing practice that meets the complex healthcare needs of people living in rural and remote communities. With a focus on primary healthcare, advanced assessment skills, emergency nursing care and quality improvement, you'll graduate with the diverse skill set needed to make a real difference.
Part Time
Students should follow the enrolment pattern for the Master / Graduate Diploma specialisation they select to complete. Refer to the specialisations listed in the course structure.
Students undertaking the Master of Nursing without a specialisation follow the following enrolment pattern.
Master of Nursing (without specialisation)
30 Session Intake
Year 1
Session 1 (30)
NRS566 Advanced Nursing Practice
Restricted Elective
Session 2 (60)
Restricted Elective
Restricted Elective
Year 2
Session 3 (30)
NRS567 Value Based Healthcare and Critical Inquiry (16)
Session 4 (60)
IKC502 Critical Studies: Indigenous Australian Cultures, Histories and Contemporary Realities
Restricted Elective
Year 3
Session 5 (30)
HLT520 Practice Improvement Proposal
Restricted Elective
Session 6 (60)
HLT524 Practice Improvement Project (16)
60 Session Intake
Year 1
Session 1 (60)
Restricted Elective
Restricted Elective
Session 2 (30)
NRS566 Advanced Nursing Practice
Restricted Elective
Year 2
Session 3 (60)
IKC502 Critical Studies: Indigenous Australian Cultures, Histories and Contemporary Realities
Restricted Elective
Session 4 (30)
NRS567 Value Based Healthcare and Critical Inquiry (16)
Students may elect to exit at this point with the qualification Graduate Diploma of Nursing (without specialisation).
Year 3
Session 5 (60)
HLT520 Practice Improvement Proposal
Restricted Elective
Session 6 (30)
HLT524 Practice Improvement Project (16)
As a Charles Sturt University student, throughout your course you have a responsibility to continue to develop skills in English language, literacy and numeracy as appropriate to your discipline. This ongoing development will enable you to effectively participate in your course and graduate prepared to enter the workforce.
Graduate Certificate in Nursing (without specialisation)
To graduate with a Graduate Certificate in Nursing, students must complete 32 points. Students who want to graduate with a Graduate Certificate in Nursing (with specialisation) will need to transfer to the relevant Graduate Certificate in Nursing course.
Graduate Diploma of Nursing
To graduate with a Graduate Diploma of Nursing (with specialisation), students must complete 64 points, including 32 points from the core subjects and the subjects identified in the Year 1 and 2 enrolment pattern for chosen specialisation to reach a total of 64 credit points.
To graduate with a Graduate Diploma of Nursing (without specialisation), students must complete 64 points, including 32 points from the core subjects.
Master of Nursing
To graduate with a Master of Nursing (without specialisation) students must complete 96 points, including 56 points from the core and compulsory subjects.
To graduate with a Master of Nursing (with specialisation) students mus complete 96 points, including:
This is an estimate
We have scholarships and grants, totalling over $11 million annually!
They cover various areas such as academic performance, volunteering, sports achievements, community service, specific courses, on-campus living and individuals in unique circumstances.
Explore scholarshipsTBA
Learn about how our selection ranks are calculated (including ATARs and adjustment factors).
View the course profile for this course.
Standard English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirements apply. Click here to view the specific international course entry requirements.
If you’ve completed relevant tertiary study, or work experience related to your course, you could receive credit towards your degree. Which would mean completing your qualification quicker. Find out how to apply for credit and see our credit policy.
Check your eligibility for credit
We also have several admission pathways to help you take the step into your preferred course, even if you don't quite meet the entry requirements at first. Find out what admission pathways are available to you.
Applying to Charles Sturt University is easy. Choose how you want to apply below, or get in touch with Charles Sturt University and we can help you with your application.
Important dates
Check out our direct application closing dates
The Charles Sturt rural and remote nursing program was developed in consultation with very experienced rural nurses from Western NSW Local Health District. The university listened to our feedback to make sure each unit in the program was applicable to rural and remote advanced clinical nursing practice.
