The Master of Nursing is designed to prepare nurses for leadership roles in the health care system, or for further academic study in nursing at postgraduate level. The qualification is ideal for clinicians seeking to advance their careers and the following specialisations are available:

• Leadership
• Person Centred Practice
• Mental Health
• Dementia Care
• Primary Healthcare

Leadership

The Leadership specialisation is designed to enable registered nurses to develop their transformative leadership and management style. Each of the subjects in this specialisation, support students to gain an in-depth understanding of leadership and management that will assist with practice in a management or leadership position. With a strong focus on reflective and other evidence based theory, students will be provided with a wide range of opportunities to develop their knowledge, skills and experiences that align with person centred principles and values.

Person Centred Practice

The Person Centred Practice specialisation provides students with an opportunity to look at person centred practice from a theory and practice perspective. The theoretical constructs of the program are based on the Person Centred Practice Framework work undertaken by McCormack & McCance (2017). The key concepts and principles of person centeredness are found throughout the Master’s curriculum such as valuing the individual, respect for one another, supporting autonomy, providing dignified care experiences and creating safe and caring environments. Each of the subjects in this specialisation support students to gain an in-depth understanding of person centred practice from the perspective of the patient and their family, healthcare staff and the organisation and how this plays out in reality. It further enables students to develop and apply skills and knowledge in facilitating, leading and evaluating person centred practice and change within the micro, mezzo and macro levels of the healthcare system.

Mental Health

The Mental Health specialisation addresses the priorities established in the National Mental Health Plan, namely: mental health promotion and prevention; partnership; and quality and effectiveness of service delivery. This degree involves the core concepts of mental health including recent developments and understanding the concepts and perspectives associated with Mental Health Nursing.

Dementia Care

The Dementia Care specialisation is a clinically focused program that prepares registered nurses for advanced practice in the specialist field of dementia. Each of the subjects in this specialisation will support students in developing the knowledge and skills to manage the health and wellbeing of individuals living with a dementia. Furthermore, students will develop skills to critically review social policy in dementia care, and develop advocacy skills to work with users, carers and colleagues in the health, social care and voluntary sectors.

Primary Healthcare

The Primary Healthcare Specialisation is designed for registered nurses who work or aspire to work in primary health care settings, including general practice, schools, community, refugee health and correctional facilities. Students will study the context and delivery of primary care in Australia, the delivery of primary care services, clinical excellence, as well as best practice principles in the provision of primary health care. This Specialisation has been developed in association with Primary Health Care Organisations and primary care professionals both nationally and internationally and has a strong emphasis on clinical skills development and leadership within general practice.

A recognised Bachelor degree in Nursing of at least three years' duration, or a Graduate Certificate in Nursing from a recognised tertiary institution.