The Master of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner) program requires the successful completion of 120 units of study. The program is intended for registered nurses who wish to apply for authorisation by the Nurses and Midwives Board (NMB) of NSW to work as a nurse practitioner, or who may wish to present the qualification to authorities in other states or countries. The program includes a minimum of 300 hours of embedded clinical practice in the student's speciality area of nursing, under the guidance of approved academic and clinical mentors (approved by the Program Convenor). This clinical practice is undertaken in the student's normal place of work. It is expected that the student's employment is accredited with the ACHS or similar.

Why study with us?
The program is offered by the School of Nursing and Midwifery in partnership with the three other contributing Schools within the Faculty of Health - Medicine and Public Health, Health Sciences and Biomedical Sciences. This has allowed collaboration in the planning of the program and ensures that students have access to excellent resource materials and staff in the key areas of pathology, medical imaging, pharmacology and clinical nursing. Teaching is shared between academic staff from various disciplines within the Faculty and conjoint academic staff who are expert clinicians in their specialty area of practice.

Career Opportunities
The program is designed for Registered Nurses who aspire to Nurse Practioner practice. The students will further develop and refine their knowledge and clinical skills in comprehensive health assessment and Diagnosis. These attributes would be required for autonomous practice as an nurse practitioner but would also be useful in senior clinical nursing roles, nursing research and/or nursing education.

Admission Requirements
1. Registration as a Nurse;
2. Completed Bachelor of Nursing degree or equivalent. Equivalence must include Introduction to Research, or Research Design (including quantitative and qualitative); and
3. Evidence of 1 year full time (or equivalent part time) of advanced clinical practice in a recognised area of practice.
4. Current relevant employment.

Assumed Knowledge
1. Completed Bachelor of Nursing degree or equivalent. Equivalence must include Introduction to Research, or Research Design (including quantitative and qualitative); and
2. Evidence of 1 year full time (or equivalent part time) of advanced clinical practice in a broad area of practice recognised by the NSW Nurses and Midwives Board (please see Appendix 1).

Selection Criteria
Additional Selection Criteria:

• Applicants for this program must also include:
• Current Curriculum Vitae (including transcripts, previous course outlines and assessment details).
• Evidence of current registration / authority to practice.
• Completed Evidence of Advanced Practice form.
• Two Mentor Nomination forms.

Credit Transfer
40 Units for Graduate Certificate in Nursing (Advanced Practice) from the University of Newcastle OR 40 Units for Graduate Certificate in a specialty area of practice from another institution. OR 40 Units for a post basic hospital certificate (min 6 months full-time) and 2 years experience in a recognised area of clincial practice.

Practical Experience
Students must undertake a minimum 300 hours practical experience as part of the program requirements. This experience will be located at the student's regular place of work.

Professional Accreditation
Graduates from the program are eligible to apply for professional recognition with the NSW Nurses and Midwives Board.

International Students
The program does not admit international on campus students.

Special Needs
The Faculty accepts that it is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations for students with special needs, in liaison with the Student Support Unit, which offers practical assistance and advice to students with a disability or chronic illness. The Faculty will seek advice from the Student Support Unit as to what constitutes "reasonable accommodations" under Anti-Discrimination legislation.

Additional Information
Students are required to engage a small multi-disciplinary team of mentors from their clinical field to provide ongoing professional support/challenge and clinical supervision throughout the program. Students are required to nominate two clinical mentors with their application. The mentors should include:

1. A medical practitioner if possible/ or other health specialists if expert in the student's area of practice
2. An authorised NP or a CNC/nurse educator with a master's degree or equivalent

The mentors should be colleagues of the student and willing/ available to spend one hour per week for 12 weeks in the final three courses of the program. The mentor will be required to assess the student's competency on completion of these courses and may also be invited to participate in the student's final clinical viva examination.

Program duration is dependent upon granting of credit and on course availability (each course is offered once/year). NURS6620 & HUBS6202 are requisites for NURS6621 & NURS6622.

Requirements and Structure
Students enrolled in this program are required to complete 120 units in total, including: 80 units of Core courses and 40 units of Directed courses.

The recommended intake for this program is Trimester 2.

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