Course details

Summary

Build on your knowledge and skills with advanced study of nursing science. Improve your nursing care in general clinical practice or focus on an area of specialist expertise.

Designed for registered nurses, these programmes will develop your knowledge, skills and professional confidence to integrate theory, practice and research to improve your nursing care and patient outcomes.

Responsive to current demands of practice, our courses will give you a deeper understanding of pathophysiological concepts and current nursing practice issues.

Develop your ability to carry out advanced assessments on patients to improve your clinical reasoning. Enhance your skills in locating, analysing, evaluating and applying information and research to your everyday work.

To study these programmes at the Graduate School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health you must be a registered nurse with a current practising certificate from the Nursing Council of New Zealand. You also need a Bachelor's degree from a New Zealand tertiary institution.

The level at which you study will depend on your previous academic achievements and chosen professional direction.

Further study

Each qualification leads on to the next, ending in the PhD. Our programmes are designed with a ‘building block’ approach, as each qualification can lead on to the next one. Both certificates and diplomas are stand-alone qualifications but may also contribute towards a higher degree. Should you decide to proceed further with your study we will support you every step of the way.

The Master of Nursing Science is made up of two parts. In Part 1, you’ll gain an understanding of applied pathophysiology and develop advanced assessment and clinical reasoning skills. You’ll complete two further courses from an approved range, in an area of specialist practice or other focus of your choice.

After completing Part 1 and with the permission of the head of school, you can begin Part 2 with either a coursework or research focus.

If you choose to focus on coursework, you’ll complete a research review, practice project and further taught courses.

With a research focus, you’ll complete a research methods course and undertake your thesis—an advanced research project that contributes to nursing knowledge.

Nurse prescribing and nurse practitioner pathways

There are also two optional pathways within the Nursing Science programme: the nurse prescribing pathway or the nurse practitioner pathway.

Nurse prescribing pathway

The nurse prescribing pathway gives you the skill set needed for a prescribing role in your practice. You’ll take a set of four core courses including clinical pharmacology and conclude with a Nurse Prescribing practicum (HLTH 529) which will help you prepare for the Nursing Council of New Zealand registration process.

Entry criteria

To be accepted into this programme you need:

• A Bachelor's degree
• To be registered as a nurse with a current practising certificate from the Nursing Council of New Zealand
• To be accepted by the head of school as capable of proceeding with the proposed course of study

Other English Language requirements:

• IELTS: minimum overall score of 7.0 with no sub-score below 7.0
• TOEFL 90 on the internet-based test with at least 20 in writing; or
• A minimum of two ratings of 5 and two ratings of 4 in the Victoria University English Proficiency Programme test; or
• Pearson Test of English: A score of 65 (with a ‘Communicative’ score of not less than 58).