Master of Advanced Clinical Nursing
2025 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2025 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Master of Advanced Clinical Nursing |
| Deakin course code | H771 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Health |
| Campus | This course is only offered Online |
| Online | Yes |
| Duration | 3 years part-time Note this course is only available part-time |
| Course Map - enrolment planning tool | These course maps are for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2025: Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central. |
| Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition | The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9 |
Please note changes to the unit values in the Critical Care specialisations from 2023 onwards - refer to individual unit details in the course structure for more information. Please contact Student Central for further clarification. | |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Indicative student workload
- Professional recognition
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Pathways
- Course Learning Outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Work experience
- Details of specialisations
- Fees and charges
Course overview
Take your nursing career to the next level by specialising in an area of advanced clinical nursing practice. Our Master of Advanced Clinical Nursing is a customisable specialist degree that will enhance your clinical decision-making skills to bolster health service delivery and improve patient outcomes.
Ranked #16 in the world,* our School of Nursing and Midwifery is one of Australia’s largest and most established. You will learn from the best with the school’s cutting-edge research recognised as well above world standard.^
Are you looking for a flexible clinical nursing degree where you can choose your specialisation and take a step forward in your nursing career?
You will enter this course with support from your health service to specialise in your chosen area of practice. This flexible degree enables you to pursue your chosen career pathway; whether you want to support patients through their surgical journey as a perioperative nurse or play a leading role advancing the care of the critically ill as an intensive care nurse. You can select from seven areas of advanced clinical nursing, which will be your focus for the first year of your course:
- cardiac (including interventional cardiology)
- critical care
- emergency
- intensive care
- intraoperative
- perianaesthesia
- perioperative.
No matter your specialty area, you will further your essential skills in navigating patient care, communicating with patient’s families and working efficiently in a multidisciplinary care team. As an experienced registered nurse you will be challenged to advance your professional judgement, leadership and professionalism within modern healthcare practice.
You will explore and analyse ethical, transcultural and psychosocial concepts in the context of complicated grief, critical incident stresses and brain death.
Our course curriculum is shaped by industry insights and research from Deakin’s Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research (QPS). QPS is a leader in clinical research, quality and risk management, and has researchers within six of Victoria’s major health services. This means the course material is evidence-based, patient-focused and informed by academics, researchers and clinical experts who are leaders in their fields.
You will be in control of your learning, and have the opportunity to complement your specialty area with either a thesis stream or coursework stream.
The coursework stream allows you to customise your degree to match your career aspirations. You can choose from a mix of course and postgraduate electives from across the university.
The thesis stream sets you up to pursue a research pathway upon graduation, with four dedicated thesis units and two electives. Supported by a research supervision team and our expert staff you will create an individual research thesis in an area of specialty nursing practice.
Want to further your career in a shorter time? We offer graduate diplomas and graduate certificates for all specialty areas. If you wish to pursue a shorter qualification please enrol in them directly.
Alternatively, if you are seeking a non-specialised postgraduate nursing qualification to advance into a senior position, our Master of Advanced Nursing prepares you to step up into nursing leadership, management or education without the need to specialise in a clinical specialty area. It is also a highly customisable course with a range of electives and the option of a thesis or coursework stream.
* 2023 ShanghaiRankings Ranking of Academic Subjects.
^ Excellence in Research Australia (ERA) 2018.
Indicative student workload
As an online student in the Faculty of Health you will be expected to spend 11-13 hours every week studying, interacting online and completing assessment tasks for each unit in your course. Refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information.
Professional recognition
Nurses employed under the Victorian public hospital award receive a higher duties allowance.
Graduates of this course may be eligible to seek endorsement as a nurse practitioner via Pathway 2 as outlined on the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) website.
Career opportunities
With job growth of 12.2% projected for registered nurses and 12.1% for nurse managers by 2028,# there is strong industry demand for nurses with sophisticated specialty skills. Graduates of our Master of Advanced Clinical Nursing will be well placed to take advantage of this demand.
Depending on the units you have completed, your expertise will allow you to pursue a range of roles, such as:
- clinical nurse educator
- clinical nurse specialist
- associate or unit manager
- research roles
- anaesthetic nurse
- cardiac care nurse
- circulating nurse
- critical care nurse
- emergency care nurse
- ICU nurse
- instrument nurse
- intensive care nurse
- perioperative nurse
# Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections
Participation requirements
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.
Pathways
This course can provide a pathway option to higher degree by research courses.
We offer Graduate Certificates and Graduate Diplomas in the following nursing specialty areas: intensive care, critical care, cardiac, emergency, perioperative, intraoperative and perianaesthesia. We recommend if you are commencing your nursing specialty qualifications you enter into one of these course offerings, as there are no alternative exits from the Master of Advanced Clinical Nursing
Alternatively, if you are seeking a non-specialised postgraduate nursing qualification to advance into a senior position, our Master of Advanced Nursing prepares you to step up into nursing leadership, management or education without the need to specialise in a clinical specialty area. It is also a highly customisable course with a range of electives and the option of a thesis or coursework stream.
Clinical Practice
To undertake this course you must provide evidence of 24 months clinical experience in specialty practice in Australia and provide evidence of employment in a relevant specialty practice area or equivalent.
Course Learning Outcomes
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | Demonstrate expert specialty clinical practice commensurate with nursing theoretical knowledge, evidence-based practice, and person-centred care. |
| Communication | Demonstrate expert communication skills to ensure the delivery of high quality, safe nursing care to patients in the specialty practice setting. |
| Digital literacy | Evaluate complex information using digital technologies to effectively disseminate relevant specialty care information to patients and/or the multidisciplinary team. |
| Critical thinking | Analyse, evaluate and critique complex data from multiple sources to inform clinical decision making in a specialty practice setting. |
| Problem solving | Apply expert nursing knowledge to complex problems in specialty practice to optimise patient outcomes. |
| Self-management | Demonstrate professionalism, accountability, reflection, and personal autonomy as an expert specialist nurse. |
| Teamwork | Establish, maintain, and lead inclusive, collaborative professional relationships with all members of the multidisciplinary team. |
| Global citizenship | Demonstrate accountability for, and expert professional judgement in behaviours that uphold ethical principles of practice within diverse social, cultural, and environmental contexts. |
Course rules
To complete the Master of Advanced Clinical Nursing students must pass 12 credit points and meet the following course rules to be eligible to graduate:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first study period
Coursework stream
- 3 credit points of core units
- 1 specialisation (4 credit points)
- 3 credit points of course electives
- 2 credit points of open electives
Thesis stream
- 2 credit points of core units
- 1 specialisation (4 credit points)
- 4 credit points of thesis units
- 1 credit point of course electives
- 1 credit point of level 7 open electives
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements. See the enrolment codes and terminology to help make sense of the University’s vocabulary.
Note:
- This course is part-time only.
- The core nursing specialisation units are completed in year 1 of the course and are semester-based delivery.
- To qualify for a specialisation in Intraoperative or Perianaesthesia, students must have completed or be completing course electives HNN730 Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning and HNN749 Patient Safety and Risk Management to form their specialisation.
- Failure of a compulsory clinical component in a unit will normally lead to exclusion.
Course structure
Coursework Pathway
1 unit set in a specialisation - comprising of 4 credit points
PLUS
| DAI001 | Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0 credit points) |
| HNN750 | Inquiry Into Specialty Nursing Practice |
| HNN778 | Research in Nursing and Midwifery |
| HNN788 | Advanced Concepts in Specialty Nursing Practice |
PLUS 3 course elective units and 2 level 7 elective units from anywhere in the University
Thesis Pathway
1 unit set in a specialisation - comprising of 4 credit points
PLUS
| DAI001 | Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0 credit points) |
| HNN750 | Inquiry Into Specialty Nursing Practice |
| HNN788 | Advanced Concepts in Specialty Nursing Practice |
| HNN756 | Nursing Research Thesis A |
| HNN757 | Nursing Research Thesis B |
| HNN758 | Nursing Research Thesis C |
| HNN759 | Nursing Research Thesis D |
PLUS 1 course elective unit and 1 level 7 elective unit from anywhere in the University
Course Electives
| HND701 | Pathophysiology of Diabetes |
| HND702 | Management of Diabetes |
| HND731 | Contemporary Approaches to Diabetes Education |
| HND732 | Diabetes in Social and Psychological Contexts |
| HNN714 | Ethical Dimensions in Nursing |
| HNN715 | Leadership and Management in Nursing |
| HNN730 | Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning |
| HNN749 | Patient Safety and Risk Management |
| HNN754 | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples' History, Culture and Health |
| HNN761 | Biopsychosocialspiritual Mental Health Nursing Assessment |
| HNN762 | Person-Centred Approaches to Engagement in Mental Health Nursing |
| HNN771 | Facilitating Clinical Learning |
| HNN772 | Healthcare in Low Resource/Complex Environments |
| HNN773 | Healthcare Management of Vulnerable Populations |
| HNN778 | Research in Nursing and Midwifery * |
| HNN780 | Quality and Safety in Medication Management |
| HNN781 | Therapeutic Medication Management |
| HNN782 | Recognising and Understanding Mental Illness |
| HNN783 | Therapeutic Interventions in Mental Health Nursing |
| HNN789 | The Physical Health Needs of Persons with Mental Illness |
| HNN790 | Sustaining the Mental Health Nursing Workforce |
| IND734 | Australian Aboriginal Holistic Health and Healing |
*HNN778 is only an available course elective in the Thesis pathway, the unit is already a core unit in the Coursework pathway
Work experience
For those students commencing with a specialisation, success is contingent on the student having access to a suitable workplace in which to consolidate learning, enhance understanding, demonstrate skills and undertake assessments.
Prior to entry to the course, each applicant’s workplace is considered in terms of its suitability and capacity to provide students with the necessary supports. Ongoing support for educators in the workplace is also provided by Deakin staff
Details of specialisations
Cardiac
Unit set code
SP-H000008
Overview
Cardiac nurses provide nursing care for patients experiencing cardiovascular disease or other heart-related issues across a range of specialist cardiac settings, including interventional procedures.
Working closely with medical professionals, your specialised knowledge and skills will allow you to assess and manage patients with a variety of complex cardiovascular conditions, including the use of heart monitoring and cardiac devices such as pacemakers and defibrillators. You will also play a key role in educating your patients and their families on treatment plans following emergency or interventional procedures.
Units
| HNN791 | Core Principles of Critical Care Nursing (2 credit points) |
| HNN795 | Cardiac Nursing (2 credit points) |
Before 2023
HNN751 Advanced Physiology and Patient Assessment
HNN752 Core Principles of Care for the Critically Ill Patient
HNN765 Cardiac Care Nursing 1
HNN775 Cardiac Care Nursing 2
Critical Care
Unit set code
SP-H000009
Overview
Critical care nurses look after patients who are in a critical condition or recovering from a serious medical condition in some of the most complex health environments across emergency departments, intensive care units and other high dependency units.
You’ll play a pivotal role in your patient’s care, whether it is during initial assessment or by providing ongoing care for those who are critically ill.
As a critical care nurse you will collaboratively assess and provide care for a range of patient groups including paediatrics, trauma, gynaecological, obstetric, oncology, older persons and those presenting with cardiovascular, renal, neurological and respiratory dysfunction.
Units
| HNN791 | Core Principles of Critical Care Nursing (2 credit points) |
| HNN792 | Critical Care Nursing (2 credit points) |
Before 2023
HNN751 Advanced Physiology and Patient Assessment
HNN752 Core Principles of Care for the Critically Ill Patient
HNN767 Critical Care Nursing 1
HNN777 Critical Care Nursing 2
Emergency
Unit set code
SP-H000010
Overview
Emergency nurses work in an emergency department and encounter a wide variety of patients who often require immediate medical attention. You will need to think critically, quickly and calmly as part of a multidisciplinary team operating in a fast-paced environment.
As an emergency nurse you will assess, prioritise and manage patients across paediatrics, major and minor trauma, mental health, gynaecological, obstetric, oncology and older persons.
Units
| HNN791 | Core Principles of Critical Care Nursing (2 credit points) |
| HNN796 | Emergency Nursing (2 credit points) |
Before 2023
HNN751 Advanced Physiology and Patient Assessment
HNN752 Core Principles of Care for the Critically Ill Patient
HNN766 Emergency Care Nursing 1
HNN776 Emergency Care Nursing 2
Intensive Care
Unit set code
SP-H000011
Overview
Intensive care nurses care for patients with life-threatening conditions and complex healthcare problems, typically within the intensive care unit of a hospital. Your specialised skills will allow you to anticipate and rapidly respond to changes in your patient’s condition.
As an intensive care nurse you will perform focused, systematic and methodical assessments. You will draw on data from patient and technologically-derived sources in order to provide time-critical interventions to patients requiring complex care for life-threatening illnesses or conditions.
Units
| HNN791 | Core Principles of Critical Care Nursing (2 credit points) |
| HNN794 | Intensive Care Nursing (2 credit points) |
Before 2023
HNN751 Advanced Physiology and Patient Assessment
HNN752 Core Principles of Care for the Critically Ill Patient
HNN764 Intensive Care Nursing 1
HNN774 Intensive Care Nursing 2
Perioperative
Unit set code
SP-H000012
Overview
Perioperative nurses care and support patients in pre-operative, intraoperative and post-operative environments. A perioperative nurse assists patients in preparing both physically and mentally before surgery, monitors the patient along with the surgical team during the procedure, and provides care and monitoring during recovery.
As a perioperative nurse you will critically assess and manage elective and emergency patients undergoing complex and specialty surgical procedures. You may work as a circulating nurse, instrument nurse or as a pre-admission or day surgery nurse. An advanced understanding of pharmacological therapies, monitoring and post-operative anesthesia care also prepares you for work as an anesthetic nurse or in a post anesthesia care unit (PACU).
Units
| HNN755 | Core Principles of Perianaesthesia Nursing Care |
| HNN740 | Core Principles of Intraoperative Nursing Care |
| HNN742 | Principles of Complex Perianaesthesia Nursing Care |
| HNN743 | Principles of Complex Intraoperative Nursing Care |
Intraoperative
Unit set code
SP-H000014
Overview
An intraoperative nurse cares for a patient during surgery and until they are transferred to a post anaesthesia care unit (PACU). Your specialised skills will allow you to implement risk management strategies in the intraoperative context and promote optimal patient outcomes.
As an intraoperative nurse you will likely play one of two pivotal roles: circulating nurse or instrument nurse. Circulating nurses manage conditions within the surgical space as well as ensuring equipment is functioning safely; while monitoring the patient throughout the procedure. As an instrument nurse you will assist the surgeon throughout the procedure by anticipating and providing the required instruments.
Units
| HNN730 | Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning |
| HNN740 | Core Principles of Intraoperative Nursing Care |
| HNN743 | Principles of Complex Intraoperative Nursing Care |
| HNN749 | Patient Safety and Risk Management |
Perianaesthesia
Unit set code
SP-H000015
Overview
A perianaesthesia nurse supports a patient immediately prior to, during, and while recovering from, the administration of anaesthesia.
As part of a multidisciplinary team, you will use your advanced knowledge of pharmacological therapies to assess and manage the anaesthetic requirements of your patient during surgery. You will monitor their neurological, cardiovascular, respiratory and haemodynamic states throughout the procedure and provide high-quality post-operative anesthesia care.
Units
| HNN730 | Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning |
| HNN742 | Principles of Complex Perianaesthesia Nursing Care |
| HNN749 | Patient Safety and Risk Management |
| HNN755 | Core Principles of Perianaesthesia Nursing Care |
Further information
Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.
- Contact Student Central
Fees and charges
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, and their study discipline or your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.