Charles Darwin University
Master of Clinical Nursing (Safety and Quality in Health Service Delivery) Online
- Delivery: Online
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 3 years
- Course Type: Master's
Develop specialist knowledge to lead safety and quality improvement in healthcare through postgraduate study in clinical governance, leadership and evidence-based health service delivery.
Course overview
The Master of Clinical Nursing (Safety and Quality in Health Service Delivery) from Charles Darwin University is a postgraduate qualification for registered nurses seeking to extend their clinical nursing knowledge through specialist study in safety and quality in health service delivery. Delivered wholly online on a part-time basis over three years, the course is designed to support practising nurses through clinically relevant study that translates theory into practice.
You will complete the compulsory core units of the Master of Clinical Nursing before undertaking the Safety and Quality in Health Service Delivery specialist elective units. The specialisation explores contemporary approaches to safety and quality in healthcare, with a focus on clinical governance, accreditation, risk management and evidence-based quality improvement. You will develop advanced knowledge of leadership, workforce management, consumer engagement and culturally safe practice while examining the implementation and evaluation of safety and quality initiatives across healthcare settings.
On successful completion, you will graduate with the Master of Clinical Nursing. Through the Safety and Quality in Health Service Delivery specialisation, you will have developed advanced knowledge to support leadership within your area of clinical practice across public and private healthcare, hospital and community settings, with opportunities in specialist practice, leadership and management roles.
Key facts
What you will study
To earn the Master of Clinical Nursing (Safety and Quality in Health Service Delivery), you must successfully complete units totalling 120 credit points as detailed below. Unless otherwise noted, each course is worth 10 credit points.
Core units
Compulsory core units totalling 80 credit points are detailed below:
- Evidence in Health Care (20 credit points)
- Diversity and Inclusion in Health
- Nursing and Midwifery Professional Leadership
- Nursing Project 1 (20 credit points)
- Nursing Project 2 (20 credit points)
Safety and Quality in Health Service Delivery Specialisation Units
Complete all 40 credit points of:
- Safety and Quality in Healthcare
- Leading Safety and Quality in a Diverse Workforce
- Implementing Safety and Quality in Healthcare (20 credit points)
Entry requirements
Applicants for this course must meet all of the following:
- Successful completion of a recognised bachelor's degree in nursing or equivalent international qualification.
- Hold current registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) as a Division 1 registered nurse.
- Current or recent employment for a minimum of 12 months full-time equivalent in a health-related field.
All applicants must provide evidence of current or recent employment in a health-related field.
Hospital-trained nurses with current AHPRA registration as a Division 1 registered nurse may also be considered.
English language requirements
The minimum English language requirement for this course can be met by evidencing one of the following:
- Successful completion of Year 12 within Australia or an equivalent qualification from an approved country where English is the official language
- Successful completion of at least 0.5FTE of higher education study from Australia or an approved country where English is the official language. If studies were completed from a country on the extended list, they must have been completed within the past five (5) years.
- Successful completion of a Charles Darwin University enabling program of at least 0.5FTE (40 credit points).
- Successful completion of a recognised TAFE qualification at a Certificate III level or higher from Australia.
- Current AHPRA registration as a Division 1 or Division 2 nurse. Registration must be current at the time of course commencement.
- Completion of an approved English test within two years of commencement, meeting the minimum scores.
Contact the university or visit their website for more information.
Recognition of Prior Learning
You may be eligible for recognition of prior learning if you have previously studied or have relevant work experience. This will help to reduce the number of units that you need to study to finish your course. Contact the university for more information.
Outcomes
Career outcomes
The qualification prepares you for being a leader in your area of practice across public and private health care, and in hospital and community settings. Graduates of the Master of Clinical Nursing are afforded a wide range of career opportunities including working in specialist areas of practice, leadership and management roles and being a leader in the nursing profession.
Fees and FEE-HELP
Estimated total fee in 2026: $42,024 (domestic full-fee paying place).
The estimated total fee is determined by individual units of study and the year the course was commenced.
Student fees may vary per:
- The number of units studied per term.
- The choice of major or specialisation.
- Choice of units.
- Credit from previous study or work experience.
- Eligibility for government-funded loans.
Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee-paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.