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Student experience
Overview
As a student of the University of Melbourne’s Master of Nursing Science, you will have a passion for providing nursing care and expertise.
Combining theory, simulation-based skill training and comprehensive clinical practice, this degree will prepare you to meet the challenges of healthcare as a registered nurse.
A Master’s in Nursing Science gives you the opportunity to transition from an undergraduate degree to a professional highly regarded nursing course. Accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA), it offers you a higher capacity to critically think and evaluate evidence, compared to what might be obtained at the Bachelor of Nursing level.
The day-to-day experience
This two-year, full-time Master’s degree has a key focus on science and a core theme of pathophysiology, whilst equipping you with technical skills and clinical expertise needed to function as a clinician. Throughout the teaching periods with the Department of Nursing, you will undertake six to ten weeks of intensive teaching per semester. This is followed by 320 hours of clinical placement in your first year and 520 hours in your second year.
Lectures are delivered utilising both online and face-to face delivery. Mastering anatomy and physiology – through tutorials and clinical skills – is possible through the student-centred delivery of content. This occurs through focus groups and simulation-driven activities in small tutorial and lab group settings.
With the University of Melbourne’s close proximity to hospitals, you will be able to develop strong partnerships with institutions including:
- The Royal Melbourne Hospital
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
- The Royal Children’s Hospital
- The Royal Women’s Hospital
- St Vincent’s
- The Western Hospital
- The Austin.
Opportunities
Along with giving you a chance to partner with leading healthcare facilities in Melbourne, you will also have the opportunity to participate in major international clinical nursing projects, which will broaden your understanding of the field.
Past students have been able to undertake clinical placement in Nepal, where they visited remote communities to provide healthcare services, as well as helping fundraise for the installation of a clean water system. This system was aimed at improving basic hygiene and health needs in remote areas of the country. Currently, the faculty is expanding exchange options for future study, including an opportunity to work on health promotion in Hong Kong.
Focussing on clinical leadership, nursing practice and research, the Master of Nursing Science will prepare you to be an active and impactful member of the nursing workforce and a conscientious global citizen.
Read about Minn's experience below:
Minn Tock
I always thought I was going to work in the field of research so when the opportunity arose after graduating from my Bachelor of Science, I accepted and did research for six months. Despite loving the science involved, I missed the personal connection, interaction with people and learning about their lives. I wanted a career where there was both science and opportunities to make a difference in people’s lives, so the Master of Nursing Science seemed like the way to go.
The best thing about this degree is the small cohort, forming close knit bonds and having placements spots arranged in advance. Also, two years for a nursing course seems pretty good to me – being able to get out into the workforce earlier is great.
I think the quality of teaching is quite high. I’ve had some great lecturers who are really knowledgeable and dedicated to teaching and to the nursing profession.
I've made some amazing friends, everyone's been really supportive and in the midst of all the work, we've been having a heap of fun together. We've got a Facebook page that is constantly active with posts about assignments, funny stories and photos and social events.
Throughout this degree, I have developed a myriad of different skills including personal resilience, self-care, critical thinking, linking theory to practice and most importantly I gained more insight into my self-awareness and self-regulation.
Nurses are at the front line of healthcare, and to be able to support my patients through their darkest and most distressing times, as well as celebrate joyous occasions with them, is an honour. I love being able to give back to the community and to make a difference in people’s lives.
I always strive to provide the best care to my patients and I will continue to develop my professional skills and to stay up to date with the latest evidence-based care. I want to be the type of nurse that I would want to work with.
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