This program is designed to meet the growing needs of registered nurses, practicing midwives and midwives returning to practice who wish to develop their knowledge and expertise in specialty areas of practice.  The program uses a partnership model of graduate clinical education where the theoretical aspects offered through the University are integrated and assessed in the context of clinical practice. The program is designed to enable clinicians to:

• apply analytical and creative approaches to advanced practice;
• integrate epistemological, philosophical and advanced principles of health and human science to enhance practice;
• actively integrate evidence-based approaches within practice; and
• promote the professional through practice, participation in professional activities and the development of peers.

The Master of Clinical Practice (Specialisation) has two exit points and one completion point as outlined below.

1. Graduate Certificate in Clinical Practice (Specialisation) (24 units of credit)

CQU Discipline Studies or its equivalent                                                       16 units of credit

(See below for entry requirement details)                                              

NURS21153 Communication Skills for Advanced Professional Practice             8 units of credit

2. Graduate Diploma of Clinical Practice (Specialisation) (48 units of credit)

CQU Discipline Studies or its equivalent                                                        16 units of credit

NURS21153 Communication Skills for Advanced Professional Practice              8 units of credit

NURS21152 Evidence Based Practice                                                             8 units of credit

NURS20129 Education in Non-Formal Settings                                                 8 units of credit

Elective

3. Master of Clinical Practice (Specialisation) CF79 (72 units of credit)

CQU Discipline Studies or its equivalent                                                          16 units of credit

NURS21153 Communication Skills for Advanced Professional Practice                8 units of credit

NURS21152 Evidence Based Practice                                                               8 units of credit

NURS20129 Education in Non-Formal Settings                                                  8 units of credit

Elective                                                                                                           8 units of credit

NURS21154 Clinical Project 1                                                                           8 units of credit

NURS21155 Clinical Project 2                                                                           8 units of credit

NURS21156 Clinical Project 3                                                                           8 units of credit

Entry requirements

Students must have completed one of the following qualifications prior to applying for a place in the Masters Program.

• Discipline Studies through the Department of Nursing and Health Studies (CQU). For information about CQU Discipline Studies please contact (07) 4923 2735 or email disciplinestudies@cqu.edu.au

OR

• Queensland Health Transition Program (in the area of specialisation)

OR

• Certificate level studies from another approved provider (in the area of specialisation) equivalent to those of the CQU Discipline Studies or Queensland Health Transition Programs.

Special Notes

1. Graduate Certificate in Clinical Practice (Specialisation) CF81

* Students must apply for Recognition of Prior Learning for their Discipline Studies (Specialisation) or equivalent after accepting their offer of a place in the Masters program.

* Should an applicant seek a subsequent award in a second specialty, the equivalent of 16 units of credit of the new specialty study must be completed (or evidenced) and a further 8 units of credit of postgraduate study completed at CQU.

 2. Graduate Diploma of Clinical Practice (Specialisation) CF80

* The elective may be selected from any CQU postgraduate course or be an approved elective from another provider.

* Should an applicant seek a subsequent award in a second specialty, the equivalent of 16 units of credit of the new specialty study must be completed (or evidenced) and a further 24 units of credit of postgraduate level study completed at CQU.

3. Master of Clinical Practice (Specialisation) CF79

To be eligible for an award of Master of Clinical Practice (Specialisation) CF79, students must complete a total of 72 units of credit directly related to the area of specialisation.

4. Master of Clinical Practice (Midwifery) CF79

To be eligible for an award of Master of Clinical Practice (Midwifery) CF79, students must complete a total of 72 units of credit directly related to the area of midwifery.  Students entering the Master of Clinical Practice (Midwifery) will need to have completed a Certificate in Midwifery (16 units of credit) or the equivalent plus complete the following courses:

• NURS21152 Evidence Based Practice
• NURS21153 Communication Skills for Advanced Professional Practice
• NURS20129 Education in Non-Formal Settings
• Elective
• NURS21154 Clinical Project 1
• NURS21155 Clinical Project 2
• NURS21156 Clinical Project 3