Find out about your options for postgraduate nursing study and discover what pathways you can follow during your study.

• Master of Nursing Science
• Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing Science
• Postgraduate Certificate in Nursing Science

The Master of Nursing Science is made up of two parts. In Part 1, you’ll gain an understanding of applied pathophysiology and develop advanced assessment and clinical reasoning skills. You’ll complete two further courses from an approved range, in an area of specialist practice or other focus of your choice.

After completing Part 1 and with the permission of the head of school, you can begin Part 2 with either a coursework or research focus.

If you choose to focus on coursework, you’ll complete a research review, practice project and further taught courses.

If you choose to focus on coursework, you’ll complete a research review, practice project, and further taught courses applicable to your specific area of practice.

There are also two optional pathways within the Nursing Science programme: the nurse prescribing pathway or the nurse practitioner pathway.

Nurse prescribing pathway

The nurse prescribing pathway gives you the skill set needed for a prescribing role in your practice. You’ll take a set of four core courses including clinical pharmacology and conclude with a Nurse Prescribing practicum (HLTH 529) which will help you prepare for the Nursing Council of New Zealand registration process.

The entry requirement into HLTH 529 is at least a B grade for all prerequisite courses.

The Nursing Council of New Zealand requires that the nurse:

• be a registered nurse with a current NCNZ practicing certificate
• have at least three years’ equivalent full-time practice in the clinical area intending to prescribe in, with one year of this in New Zealand
• work within a multi-disciplinary team
• have the support of a clinical mentor who is a designated authorised prescriber and has experience mentoring
• have the support from their employer to complete this course and support for ongoing professional development
• identify a clinical area of practice and have up-to-date clinical knowledge relevant to this area of practice.

See the NCNZ website or contact the programme director for more information.

Nurse practitioner pathway

The nurse practitioner pathway has a distinctive structure within the Master of Nursing Science and gives you the knowledge and skills of an advanced health professional.

You will need to complete six core courses and two pre-approved elective courses. Your elective courses must support your development as a mātanga tapuhi (nurse practitioner) and need to be approved by the programme director.

At least a B grade for all prerequisite courses is required in order to progress to the Nurse Practitioner Practicum (HLTH 544).

See the NCNZ website or contact the programme director for further information.

The Master of Nursing Science qualification meets the Nursing Council of New Zealand stipulated requirements for Nurse Practitioners.

See the Nurse Practitioners New Zealand website for advice, support, links, and guides for those looking to undertake a nurse practitioner pathway and for their clinical mentors, managers, employers, and whānau/family.

You can complete a Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing Science on its own, but after graduating you may wish to apply for admission to the Master of Nursing Science programme. Your postgraduate diploma can be credited towards the Master’s, with exemptions given for the courses you have already completed.

Nurse prescribing pathway

The nurse prescribing pathway can also be completed as part of the Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing Science.

You can complete a Postgraduate Certificate in Nursing Science on its own, but after graduating you may wish to apply for admission to the Master of Nursing Science or Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing Science programme. Your postgraduate certificate can be credited towards either programme, with exemptions given for the courses you have already completed.