Griffith University
Master of Advanced Nursing Practice (Acute Care Nursing) Online
- Delivery: Online
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 18 months
- Course Type: Master's
Advance nursing practice in acute care through stronger clinical assessment, evidence-informed intravenous therapy and chronic condition management, supported by research, healthcare quality improvement and leadership skills.
Course overview
Griffith University's Master of Advanced Nursing Practice (Acute Care Nursing) is designed for registered nurses seeking to strengthen their clinical expertise and advance their practice in acute care. The specialisation combines advanced nursing knowledge with evidence-informed approaches to assessment, treatment and the management of complex healthcare needs.
You will explore advanced health assessment, clinical decision making and the management of chronic health conditions. Specialist learning focuses on preparing for advanced practice and examining evidence underpinning vascular access devices and intravenous therapy. These clinical areas are complemented by broader studies in healthcare quality, patient safety and approaches to improving care outcomes.
The course connects specialist nursing knowledge with research inquiry, leadership and healthcare improvement. Through an independent practice project, students can investigate an issue relevant to clinical practice and apply research-informed thinking to professional challenges. The longer study pathway also provides an opportunity for dissertation-based research.
Delivered online, the master's can be completed in one to one and a half years full-time, depending on prior learning, with part-time study also available. The qualification supports experienced nurses seeking further clinical development, specialist responsibilities and opportunities to contribute to improvements in acute care delivery.
CSP Subsidised Fees Available
This program has a limited quota of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). The indicative CSP price is calculated based on first year fees for EFT. The actual fee may vary if there are choices in electives or majors.
Key facts
12th July, 2027
1st November, 2027
What you will study
To earn the Master of Advanced Nursing Practice (Acute Care Nursing), you must complete requirements totalling 120 credit points, as detailed below. The course offers two pathways depending on prior learning and the intended study duration. Unless otherwise noted, each course is worth 10 credit points.
Complete 120 credit points comprising:
- 50 credit points for all Core units
- 30 credit points from Critical Care Nursing specialisation units
- 40 credit points from Prior Learning
Core units
- Advanced Health Assessment
- Quality and Safety in Healthcare
- Foundations of Research Inquiry
- Transforming and Leading Healthcare
- Independent Practice Project
Acute Care Nursing specialisation units
- Preparing for Advanced Practice
- Vascular Access Devices and Intravenous Therapy: Transforming Evidence
- Advanced Healthcare Practice in Chronic Health Conditions
Prior learning
40 credit points for approved recognised prior study and/or work experience.
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
Applicants may complete this course in one year or 1.5 years, depending on the study pathway. Applicants intending to undertake a dissertation should select the 1.5-year pathway.
To be eligible, applicants must meet all of the following requirements:
Pathway 1 – One year (80 credit points of study and 40 credit points of prior learning)
- A recognised Bachelor of Nursing degree or higher qualification.
- Current or temporary, unrestricted registration as a registered nurse with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) or the professional registration body in the applicant's country of origin.
- One year of work experience as a registered nurse.
Pathway 2 – 1.5 years (120 credit points of study)
- A recognised Bachelor of Nursing degree or higher qualification.
- Current or temporary, unrestricted registration as a registered nurse with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) or the professional registration body in the applicant's country of origin.
- One year of work experience as a registered nurse.
Qualifications from overseas institutions must be assessed as equivalent to a recognised Australian accredited qualification. Griffith University does not arrange professional registration or employment.
A higher qualification refers to a qualification at a higher level than a bachelor's qualification, which includes any of the following: a bachelor honours degree; graduate certificate, graduate diploma, master's degree, MPhil or PhD.
English language requirements
Applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English must meet at least one of the following requirements:
- IELTS Academic: overall score of 6.5, with no sub-score below 6.0
- TOEFL iBT: overall score of 79, with no sub-score below 19
- ISLPR: minimum score of 3+ in each skill, conducted by ISLPR Language Services only
- Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency: overall score of 176, with no score below 169
- PTE Academic (tests taken before 7 August 2025): overall score of 58, with no score below 50
- PTE Academic (tests taken on or after 7 August 2025): overall score of 55, with no score below 47
- LanguageCert Academic: overall score of 70
- Michigan English Test (MET): overall score of 59
Applicants who hold current unrestricted registration as a nurse with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) are deemed to have met the English language requirements for admission, in accordance with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia's English Language Skills Registration Standard.
English language test results must be no more than two years old. The Direct Entry Program (DEP) pathway is not accepted for this course. Exceptions to the general English language requirements may apply under Griffith University's Admission Procedure.
Contact the university for further information.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Students may be eligible for 40 credit points of recognised prior learning based on previous study and/or relevant work experience, reducing the required study to 80 credit points. Contact the university for more information.
Outcomes
Career outcomes
Potential roles:
- Clinical nurse specialist
- Nurse educator or mentor
- Healthcare policy advisor
- Nurse manager or director
- Advanced clinical researcher
- Healthcare consultant
- Director of nursing services
Fees and CSP/FEE-HELP
Commonwealth Supported Place
Indicative unit fee in 2027: Details coming soon
Indicative annual fee in 2027: Details coming soon
Indicative full-course fee: Details coming soon
Full-fee paying place
Indicative unit fee in 2027: $3,187.50 (10-credit-point unit)
Indicative annual fee in 2027: $25,500
Indicative full-course fee: $38,250
The average full-course fee shown is calculated based on the 120 credit point (12 units) course structure completed over 1.5 years.
Indicative annual fees are based on your first year of study.
A student’s annual fee may vary by:
- The number of units studied.
- 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.
Commonwealth Supported Places
The Australian Government allocates a certain number of CSPs to the universities each year, which are then distributed to students based on merit.
If you're a Commonwealth Supported Student (CSS), you'll only need to pay a portion of your tuition fees. This is known as the student contribution amount – the balance once the government subsidy is applied. This means your costs are much lower.
Limited CSP spaces are offered to students enrolled in selected postgraduate courses.
Your student contribution amount is:
- Calculated per the course you're enrolled in.
- Dependent on the study areas they relate to.
- Reviewed and adjusted each year.
Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.
HECS-HELP loans are available to eligible CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee-paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.