Postgraduate study

Postgraduate advanced learning program – introduction

Sydney Nursing School offers postgraduate advanced learning coursework programs in a number of specialty and practice areas for registered nurses, and at various articulating levels. The specialty and practice areas include Cancer and Haematology Nursing, Clinical Nursing, Clinical Trials Practice, Emergency Nursing, Intensive Care Nursing, Mental Health Nursing and Nurse Practitioner. The level of entry depends on your qualifications and professional work experience. The focus of the postgraduate advanced learning courses is on the development of practice knowledge and clinical judgement skills within the context of specialty clinical practice.

Students might commence their study in a graduate certificate course and progress to graduate diploma and master's level within the chosen specialty areas. Depending upon qualifications, students may also enrol directly into a master's degree.

Subject to meeting entry requirements, it may be possible to credit units of study already undertaken for a graduate certificate or graduate diploma, towards a master's degree. This can be done immediately upon completion – if students wish to continue their studies at that point – or at a later date upon return to study.

Taking account of the employment demands on registered nurses, the nursing units of study are offered with minimal on-campus requirements, usually up to four days attendance per unit of study. Please refer to the unit of study information contained in the following chapters for further details.

With the exception of Clinical Trials Practice, all students are required to be registered nurses in either Australia or their country of residence. The level of entry (graduate certificate, graduate diploma or master's degree) is dependent upon current qualifications. If uncertain as to which course to take or the entry level best suited, students should contact the faculty.

For further information please refer to the relevant specialty chapters contained in this handbook.

Clinical requirements

Some specialty areas require you to be working in the field in order to successfully complete the requirements of the course. These include emergency nursing, intensive care nursing, cancer and haematology nursing, mental health nursing and nurse practitioner.

Graduate certificates

Sydney Nursing School offers graduate certificates in the following specialty areas:

• Cancer and Haematology Nursing
• Clinical Nursing
• Clinical Trials Practice
• Emergency Nursing
• Intensive Care Nursing
• Mental Health Nursing

With the exception of Clinical Trials Practice, graduate certificate courses are designed for nurses registered to practise within Australia. Graduate certificates consist of two semesters of part-time study. Students are required to complete 24 credit points or four prescribed units of study. Units studied at the graduate certificate level are, in most cases, credited towards the longer master's qualification.

Students who have completed master's level courses, except Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Trials, may meet the requirements for entry into PhD if they complete NURS5069 Research in Nursing and Healthcare and an approved research elective. In addition, students need to complete NURS5080 Capstone (Thesis). Prospective students interested in PhD should consult with the Director for advice about course structure.

At the graduate certificate level students will be equipped to explore the complexity and uncertainty in nursing practice within a recognised specialist area. While developing discipline-specific knowledge and skills, students will also build capacity for clinical judgement and practice.

Graduate diplomas

Sydney Nursing School offers graduate diplomas in the following specialty areas:

• Cancer and Haematology Nursing
• Clinical Nursing
• Clinical Trials Practice
• Emergency Nursing
• Intensive Care Nursing
• Mental Health Nursing

With the exception of Clinical Trials Practice, graduate diploma courses are designed for nurses registered to practice within Australia and overseas. Graduate diplomas consist of two semesters of full-time study or four semesters of part-time study.

For most graduate diplomas, students are required to complete 48 credit points or eight prescribed units of study (Clinical Trials Practice requires completion of 36 credit points or six units of study). Units studied at the graduate diploma level are, in most cases, credited towards the longer master's qualification.

Master's degrees

Sydney Nursing School offers master's degrees in the following specialties:

• Cancer and Haematology Nursing
• Clinical Nursing
• Clinical Trials Practice
• Emergency Nursing
• Intensive Care Nursing
• Mental Health Nursing
• Nurse Practitioner

Advanced learning master's courses (except for the Clinical Trials Practice course), are designed for nurses registered to practise within Australia and for internationally registered nurses. All of the advanced learning master's courses (except for the Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Trials courses) require two semesters of full-time study and a final semester of part-time study in which the capstone unit of study is completed. Students studying part-time will complete the course in five semesters. Students are required to complete 60 credit points or eight prescribed units of study (6 credit points) and one (12 credit point) capstone unit of study.

Students who successfully complete an advanced learning master's course (other than the Clinical Trials Practice or Nurse Practitioner courses) may also be eligible to apply for Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) candidature within Sydney Nursing School. Prospective students should consult with the relevant course coordinator or directors when undertaking NURS5069 Research in Nursing and Healthcare. For details, refer to the Doctor of Philosophy (PHD GB000) admission requirements.

The Master of Clinical Trials Practice requires completion of 48 credit points or six units of study, including a capstone, which may be completed over one year of full-time study or two years of part-time study.

Preparation for practice as a Nurse Practitioner can be undertaken through the Master of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner). The Master of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner) builds on specialty knowledge and skills obtained through the Graduate Certificate in the candidate's specialty area.