Master of Clinical Nursing (MClinN)

Program Code
MCLNU

Program Faculty
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

Academic Year
2024

These Program Rules should be read in conjunction with the University's policies (https://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies).

Overview

The Master of Clinical Nursing prepares graduates for employment as registered nurses. Graduates acquire contemporary nursing skills and knowledge to enable beginning level practice in a wide variety of health care settings. The program blends extensive and varied clinical placement opportunities with a high degree of academic rigour. The Master of Clinical Nursing is aimed at graduates seeking a career in nursing who have a three year degree in another discipline with a minimum GPA of 4.0.

The program will provide professional knowledge, skills and attitudes that underpin the role of the Registered Nurse and develop competencies for practice as determined by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.

Graduates of the Master of Clinical Nursing program will need to satisfy regulatory requirements for English language proficiency prior to application for registration.

The Master of Clinical Nursing is an AQF Level 9 qualification with a standard full-time duration of 2 years or a standard part-time duration of 4 years.

Program Learning Outcomes

  1. Demonstrate the potential to work as team leaders and managers and undertake the role of case management and care co-ordination.
  2. Demonstrate the clinical and technological skills required to provide high quality effective nursing care.
  3. Demonstrate the attitudes and skills to practice person-centred nursing in a culturally sensitive and ethically sound manner.
  4. Display critical thinking skills and knowledge to problem solve in their nursing practice.
  5. Display highly developed communication skills and sound interpersonal skills to work effectively as members of the multidisciplinary team and to provide quality nursing care.
  6. Critically analyse in order to evaluate the evidence and make decisions and implement nursing care based on the best available evidence.
  7. Display commitment and skills to continue lifelong learning to advance their nursing practice and provide high quality nursing care.
  8. Demonstrate an ability to work effectively both independently and as members of the nursing and multidisciplinary team in a variety of health care setting.
  9. Practice as a registered nurse in a technological environment. This means being flexible, receptive and knowledgeable regarding technology, being literate in health informatics and general information technology and being able to best use this to provide quality nursing care.
  10. Effectively integrate skills and knowledge in order to facilitate quality nursing care.
  11. Display knowledge, skills and attitudes to practice in a health system that has an increasing emphasis on health, health promotion and primary health care services.
  12. Display knowledge and willingness required to contribute to the professional development of other nurses.
  13. Display a sound understanding of the dynamics of the health care system and the sociological, cultural and political influences that influence professional practice.
  14. Practice and promote safe practice in accordance with legislation and professional codes.

Conditions

Clinical Deed Poll: The University of Adelaide and the Minister for Health have a clinical placement agreement in place which allows the University to request clinical placements in SA Health facilities. As part of this agreement students are required to complete a deed poll (pdf file). A deed poll is an agreement between the student and SA Health to ensure patient information is treated with confidentiality and that that student has met the required clearances. By signing a deed poll students understand their obligations and agree to comply with the relevant state legislation. https://health.adelaide.edu.au/study-with-us/student-support/clinical-placements

Program Maximum Duration: As specified in Table 1 of the Coursework Academic Programs Policy, this program must be completed within a Maximum Duration which includes any periods of non-enrolment, leave of absence or approved study at other institutions for credit towards a Program. 

Condition of Admission
Human Biology: Students will have successfully completed University Level I Human Biology/Anatomy or equivalent prior to entry.

Condition of Enrolment
Criminal History Clearance: Students who undertake clinical placements, internships or research projects involving children or people who are ill, elderly or vulnerable are required to demonstrate clearance by producing a criminal history check, obtained through the Department of Human Services (DHS) check. International students may be required to obtain a certificate from their home country.

Immunisation: Prior to clinical placement, students will need to provide evidence of immunisation status. Students are required to have the appropriate level of immunisation required by the Immunisation for Health Care Workers and Quarantine Workers Policy in South Australia for tuberculosis (TB) screening and criminal history clearances (CHC), Prescribed Communicable Infections (PCI) screening, including recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines.


Students are required to comply with the  Immunisation for Health Care Workers and Quarantine Workers Policy in South Australia.

Clinical Practice: Students must comply with the University’s rules for undertaking clinical practice in teaching hospitals, health centres, or any other institution.

Student and Professional Registration: The University registers students accepted into the program with the relevant regulatory authority.

Interruption of program: Students must apply for permission from the Program Director or Delegate before taking a Leave of Absence. Absence without approval will result in the loss of place in the program. An application may be made to be re-admitted to the program subject to the admission procedures in place at the time.

Uniform: During their nursing practice placements and in simulation sessions students will be required to comply with the Adelaide Nursing School dress standards.

Inherent requirements: Students are required to acknowledge their understanding of the University of Adelaide nursing programs inherent requirements https://health.adelaide.edu.au/study-with-us/nursing/inherent-requirements

Further detail is located at: https://health.adelaide.edu.au/study-with-us/student-support/clinical-placements
 

Academic Program Rules for Master of Clinical Nursing

There shall be a Master of Clinical Nursing.

Qualification Requirements

To qualify for the degree of Master of Clinical Nursing, the student must complete satisfactorily a program of study consisting of the following requirements with a combined total of not less than 48 units, comprising:

  1. Core courses to the value of 48 units

Work based learning / extra mural studies

Students must complete the allocated clinical placements provided of approximately 1000 hours. Successful completion of a clinical placement is required for associated the following courses: NURSING 7204, NURSING 7205, NURSING 7206, NURSING 7207. 

Core Courses