The Master of Health Sciences (Nursing) prepares you to sit for the Nursing Council of New Zealand State Final Examination in just two years. Passing the examinationthen enables you to apply for registration as a nurse. With nurses in high demand, nursing is a stable career path that offers excellent opportunities both in Aoteroa New Zealand and overseas.
UC’s Master of Health Science (Nursing) is a blended programme that combines online learning modules with onsite clinical placements, enabling students to enhance their critical learning thinking skills, develop clinical knowledge, and grow their career. Clinical experience of 1100 hours is offered throughout the programme with a consolidated block at the end.
Who is this initiative designed for?
This postgraduate programme is ideal for students who have already completed a Bachelor’s degree in a health related discipline. It is a great option for both those looking to make a career change into nursing or looking to progress their nursing career by continuing to build on prior health or science knowledge or experience.
*If you do not have a heath-related degree, or it has been some time since you studied, we are happy to discuss study pathways with you.
The degree will be of interest to anyone seeking a challenging yet rewarding and fulfilling career in healthcare.
Why choose UC for nursing?
UC’s Faculty of Health | Te Kaupeka Oranga provides the opportunity to learn from an experienced, highly skilled nursing team and passionate researchers who are leaders in their field. The Faculty works closely with students to provide personal support and guidance that fosters their career goals and aspirations.
As a major tertiary learning institution, UC offers access to a wide variety of clinical placements within Canterbury and beyond. Students will undertake more than 1100 hours of clinical learning across a range of different practice settings that will not only help them become well-rounded, but will also help inform their decisions when choosing where they want to focus in their career.
UC nursing students will also undertake simulated learning via the Simulation Centre at the Manawa campus, where they can acquire skills and build confidence without the high pressure and risk of a fast-paced clinical environment.
The Master of Health Science (Nursing) is underpinned by UC’s values of manaakitanga (extending care and empowering others), whanaungatanga (valuing people and working as a team), and tiakitanga (enhancing and nurturing our resources). These philosophies help produce nursing graduates that are socially conscious, critical thinkers who contribute to the advancement of nursing knowledge, policy, and health outcomes.
Career opportunities
Having successfully completed the MHealSc(Nursing) programme, graduates will be eligible to apply for registration with the Nursing Council of New Zealand and seek employment as registered nurses in New Zealand. NZ-registered nurses can automatically register in Australia and apply for registration to work in many other countries.
Once registered, graduates will be able to apply to work in a range of nursing roles in hospitals, clinics, primary care practices, and other healthcare services. Holding a Master’s degree in nursing also provides future possibilities for graduates to progress to roles such as clinical educator, clinical nurse specialist, charge nurse, teaching and leadership.
Course information
The tables below outline the combined structure.
