Advanced Nursing Practice - Master of Health Science
Further your nursing career with the Advanced Nursing Practice specialisation in the Master of Health Science. Explore current nursing topics and research an area of your interest through your thesis.
The Master of Health Science is an opportunity for nursing professionals to advance their scholarly and professional knowledge in an area of their interest. You study in an interprofessional and collegial learning environment, and develop research skills.
This master's degree prepares and supports nurses for all advanced practice roles, including the registration of nurse practitioner. Study options are flexible: on campus, online, in block mode and at hospital sites around the North Island.
This is part of the Master of Health Science.
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You need a total of 240 points to complete the Master of Health Science in Advanced Nursing Practice qualification.
Complete one of the following courses
Offered in Semester 1 and Semester 2
- NURS806 Advancing Nursing Practice (15 points)#
Semester 2 course
- HEAL848 Children in Context (15 points)
And select 150 points from the following courses1
Offered in Semester 1 and Semester 2
- HEAL824 Advanced Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning (30 points)*
- NURS804 Science for Advanced Practice (30 points)*
- PHMY803 Pharmacology Science and Therapeutics (30 points)#
Semester 1 courses
- PHMY801 Pharmacology Science (15 points)*#
- RHAB805 Concepts of Rehabilitation (15 points)
Semester 2 courses
- HEAL843 Interdisciplinary Practice with Older Adults (30 points)
- HEAL844 Activity and Nutrition for Older Persons Health and Wellbeing (15 points)
- HEAL857 Managing Long-term Conditions (30 points)#
- HEAL866 Mental Health Advanced Specialty Practice (30 points)
- PHMY802 Applied Pharmacotherapeutics (15 points)*#
- RHAB820 Advanced Management of Chronic Pain (15 points)
1. Or 135 points if you’re doing the course HEAL901
And choose one of
Offered in Semester 1 and Semester 2
- HEAL811 Research Design and Methods (15 points)
- HEAL840 Critical Inquiry for Evidence Based Practice (15 points)
Semester 1 course
- PUBH810 Pacific Health Research and Design (15 points)
Semester 2 course
- MAOH801 Māori Health Research Practice - Te Rangahau Hauora Māori (15 points)
And choose one of
Offered in Semester 1 and Semester 2
- HEAL812 Health Professional Practice (15 points)
- HEAL813 Practice Reality (15 points) (Only offered in Semester 2)
Semester 2 course
- HEAL813 Practice Reality (15 points) (Only offered in Semester 2)
- MAOH803 Effective Supervision in Māori Health (15 points)
And complete a dissertation
Full-year course (mid-year intake available)
Or
Full-year course
Or
Full-year course (mid-year intake available)
* Recommended for those seeking registration as a Registered Nurse Prescriber or Nurse Practitioner
# Course has special requirements
## Recommended courses for mental health nursing focus
The mental health and addictions nursing focus pathway focuses on the recovery of people with mental health challenges and the mental health nursing role. It equips nurses with the evidence based and critical academic skills to inform, guide and evaluate practice. As is expected in mental health, this draws on diverse knowledge and privileges the experience of recovery. The pathway is designed for nurses to develop advanced practice, including toward the requirements for Nurse Practitioner.
Complete the following course
Offered in Semester 1 and Semester 2
And select 45 points from
Semester 1 courses
- MENH808 Assessment for Mental Health Practice (15 points)#
- MENH809 Intervention for Mental Health Practice (15 points)#
- MENH810 Foundations for Addiction Practice (15 points)
- MENH811 Assessment and Formulation for Addiction Issues (15 points)
Semester 2 courses
- HEAL866 Mental Health Advanced Specialty Practice (30 points)
- MENH802 Concepts of Recovery in Mental Health (30 points)#
And select 105 points from the following courses1
Offered in Semester 1 and Semester 2
- HEAL824 Advanced Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning (30 points)*#
- NURS804 Science for Advanced Practice (30 points)*#
- PHMY803 Pharmacology Science and Therapeutics (30 points)#
Semester 1 courses
- PHMY801 Pharmacology Science (15 points)*#
- RHAB805 Concepts of Rehabilitation (15 points)
Semester 2 courses
- HEAL843 Interdisciplinary Practice with Older Adults (30 points)
- HEAL844 Activity and Nutrition for Older Persons Health and Wellbeing (15 points)
- HEAL857 Managing Long-term Conditions (30 points)#
- PHMY802 Applied Pharmacotherapeutics (15 points)#
- RHAB820 Advanced Management of Chronic Pain (15 points) (not currently offered)#
1. Or 90 points if you’re doing the course HEAL901
And choose one of
Offered in Semester 1 and Semester 2
- HEAL811 Research Design and Methods (15 points)
- HEAL840 Critical Inquiry for Evidence Based Practice (15 points)
Semester 1 course
- PUBH810 Pacific Health Research and Design (15 points)
Semester 2 course
- MAOH801 Māori Health Research Practice - Te Rangahau Hauora Māori (15 points)
And choose one of
Offered in Semester 1 and Semester 2
Semester 2 course
- HEAL813 Practice Reality (15 points) (Only offered in Semester 2)
- MAOH803 Effective Supervision in Māori Health (15 points)
And choose one of
Full-year course (mid-year intake available)
- HEAL996 Research Project (45 points)
Or
Full-year course
Or
Full-year course (mid-year intake available)
*Recommended for Nurse Practitioner route
**Subject to approval from programme leader
# Course has special requirements
Complete the following course
Offered in Semester 1 and Semester 2
- NURS806 Advancing Nursing Practice (15 points)#
And complete the following courses
Offered in Semester 1 and Semester 2
- HEAL824 Advanced Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning (30 points)*
- NURS804 Science for Advanced Practice (30 points)*
- PHMY803 Pharmacology Science and Therapeutics (30 points)#
And select 45 points from
Semester 1 courses
- PHMY801 Pharmacology Science (15 points)*#
- RHAB805 Concepts of Rehabilitation (15 points)
Semester 2 courses
- HEAL843 Interdisciplinary Practice with Older Adults (30 points)
- HEAL844 Activity and Nutrition for Older Persons Health and Wellbeing (15 points)
- HEAL857 Managing Long-term Conditions (30 points)#
- HEAL866 Mental Health Advanced Specialty Practice (30 points)
- PHMY802 Applied Pharmacotherapeutics (15 points)*#
- RHAB820 Advanced Management of Chronic Pain (15 points)#
And choose one of
Offered in Semester 1 and Semester 2
- HEAL811 Research Design and Methods (15 points)
- HEAL840 Critical Inquiry for Evidence Based Practice (15 points)
Semester 1 course
- PUBH810 Pacific Health Research and Design (15 points)
Semester 2 course
- MAOH801 Māori Health Research Practice - Te Rangahau Hauora Māori (15 points)
And choose one of
Offered in Semester 1 and Semester 2
- HEAL812 Health Professional Practice (15 points)
Semester 2 course
- HEAL813 Practice Reality (15 points) (Only offered in Semester 2)
- MAOH803 Effective Supervision in Māori Health (15 points)
And complete
Full-year course
- NURS901 Nurse Practitioner Practicum (45 points)
And
Semester 2 course
- NURS809 Nurse Practitioner Advancement (15 points)
*Recommended for Nurse Practitioner route
**Subject to approval from programme leader
# Course has special requirements
Complete the following course
Offered in Semester 1 and Semester 2
- NURS806 Advancing Nursing Practice (15 points)#
And complete the following courses
Offered in Semester 1 and Semester 2
- HEAL824 Advanced Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning (30 points)*
- HEAL868 Neonatal Specialty Practicum (15 points)#
- PHMY803 Pharmacology Science and Therapeutics (30 points)#
And choose one of
Offered in Semester 1 and Semester 2
- NURS804 Science for Advanced Practice (30 points)*
Semester 1 course
- HEAL850 Neonatal Pathophysiology (30 points)
And select 45 points from
Semester 1 courses
- PHMY801 Pharmacology Science (15 points)*#
- RHAB805 Concepts of Rehabilitation (15 points)
Semester 2 courses
- HEAL843 Interdisciplinary Practice with Older Adults (30 points)
- HEAL844 Activity and Nutrition for Older Persons Health and Wellbeing (15 points)
- HEAL851 Developmental Assessment and Care of the Sick/Pre-term Neonate (15 points)
- HEAL857 Managing Long-term Conditions (30 points)#
- HEAL866 Mental Health Advanced Specialty Practice (30 points)
- NURS809 Nurse Practitioner Advancement (15 points) (required for NPTP students only)
- PHMY802 Applied Pharmacotherapeutics (15 points)*#
- RHAB820 Advanced Management of Chronic Pain (15 points)#
And choose one of
Offered in Semester 1 and Semester 2
- HEAL811 Research Design and Methods (15 points)
- HEAL840 Critical Enquiry for Evidence Based Practice (15 points)
Semester 1 course
- PUBH810 Pacific Health Research and Design (15 points)
Semester 2 course
- MAOH801 Māori Health Research Practice - Te Rangahau Hauora Māori (15 points)
And choose one of
Offered in Semester 1 and Semester 2
- HEAL812 Health Professional Practice (15 points)
Semester 2 course
- HEAL813 Practice Reality (15 points) (Only offered in Semester 2)
- MAOH803 Effective Supervision in Māori Health (15 points)
And complete
Full-year course
- NURS901 Nurse Practitioner Practicum (45 points)
*Recommended for Nurse Practitioner route
**Subject to approval from programme leader
# Course has special requirements
Ready to enrol in your courses?
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Practice as a health professional in New Zealand is governed by legislation and a number of ‘Responsible Authorities’ (such as the NZ Psychologist Board, Physiotherapy Board and the Nursing Council who register practitioners). Overseas qualified health professionals who wish to practise in New Zealand should communicate directly with the relevant Responsible Authority. Qualifications recognised for professional registration at AUT are undergraduate; study at postgraduate level is not considered equivalent recognition for NZ Board certification.
- Focused on advancing knowledge to improve patient outcomes and recovery
- Prepares nurses for advanced practice roles, including registration for nurse practitioner
- AUT is one of the leading nursing educators in New Zealand
- Strong links to district health boards, hospitals and private practices
The information on this page was correct at time of publication. For a comprehensive overview of AUT qualifications, please refer to the Academic Calendar.