Why Study Master of Nursing in Australia?

Why Study Master of Nursing in Australia?

The Master of Nursing in Australia is a postgraduate course that offers candidates who have a non-nursing undergraduate degree and are looking for a career change to enter the nursing industry.

Nursing in Australia is a valued career option for overseas students who are wishing to work, live and migrate to this beautiful country. There are many advantages to working as a Nurse in Australia.

• Your career will be future-proof and recession-proof. There is a huge demand for nurses in Australia, and you will be able to unlock the doors to rewarding and fulfilling career opportunities.
• You will have an excellent work-life balance and will be respected for the work you do.
• You will be part of a diverse community that welcomes people from all nations. Australians are very friendly and you will find that the rich, cultural diversity is one of the greatest strengths of the country.
• Australia is blessed with plenty of natural flora and fauna. You can travel and explore the beautiful countryside and lovely natural landscapes.
• According to talent.com, nurses in Australia can earn up to $79,552 dollars. In India the average salary for nurses is INR 19,360 per month (Indeed.com).

Regardless of your previous qualification, if you wish to work as a Nurse in Australia, you can undertake the Master of Nursing and avail of diverse job roles in the field of nursing management, midwifery, and post-surgery care, among others.

To work as a qualified nurse in Australia, you must be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).

International Students’ requirements

To study Master of Nursing in Australia international students’ requirements are as follows:

• Proof of English language proficiency
• Student visa and valid passport
• Bachelor degree and subsequent additional honours degree (first or second class) which includes a dissertation demonstrating the ability to undertake research at a Masters level; OR
• Honours equivalence, such as a combination of professional, qualification and research experience, including Masters by coursework.
• Evidence of sufficient funds
• Evidence of Overseas Student Health Insurance
• All other relevant documents as listed on the Department of Home Affairs visa.

Note that most Australian universities have similar standards for Master of Nursing applicants. Do contact the university of your choice for course-specific requirements.

English Language Requirements

In order to apply for the Master of Nursing in IHM, Australia, you should submit proof of your proficiency in English. This can be evidenced by the required IELTS level, or equivalent scores in OET/PTE/other recognised English examination; or through direct entry if you have a pass in IHM’s English for Academic Purpose (EAP) course with a minimum score of 70%.

Equivalent scores in IELTS/OET and PTE are as follows:

• IELTS: Overall 6.5 and no band less than 6.0
• PTE: Overall 56 and no band less than 46
• OET: B for each test component

Master of Nursing Course Details

The Master of Nursing with the Institute of Health and Management (IHM) has a duration of 104 weeks and is accredited by TEQSA. You should have completed the Bachelor of Nursing/ Graduate Certificate in Nursing/ Graduate Diploma of Nursing, or any equivalent qualification. If you have completed the EPIQRN/IRON Nursing Bridging programmes, you can also avail of RPL (Recognition Prior Learning).

On completing the Master of Nursing, you will be equipped for a wide range of positions in the industry and in the Australian healthcare setting. With this degree under your belt, you’ll be able to take advantage of more professional and leadership opportunities, including the role of a Clinical Nurse Specialist, Staff development Nurse, Clinical Nurse, Nurse Educator, Associate Nurse Unit Manager and many more!

Nursing Registration Process in Australia

It’s very important to note that this Master of Nursing course does not lead to direct nursing registration in Australia.

To start your Nursing career in Australia, you will first need to register yourself with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA), and must then obtain a visa issued by the Australian government.

To obtain the registration, you will have to successfully pass the Outcomes Based Assessment (OBA), which includes two exams: the NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses) and the OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination).

Here are the steps to obtain NMBA Nursing Registration in Australia:

1. Perform a self-check on the NMBA portal at this link: this link, to ensure that you have the requisite eligibility.
2. Pay IQNM assessment fees (at present this is 640 AUD).
3. Attend a 1-hour e-orientation on AHPRA’s online portal.
4. Upload all the required documents, duly attested, on the portal.
5. Undertake the NCLEX-RN exam online after paying the fees of USD 350.
6. The OSCE exam is an in-person exam that is conducted by the Adelaide Health Simulation Centre. You will have to travel to Australia to do this exam, and can do so on a student visa. The fee for the OSCE is 4000 AUD.
7. Once you are successful in both these exams, you can apply for registration. The fee is 475 AUD.

If you’d like to know more about courses, costs, entry requirements or just about anything else relating to studying a Masters in Nursing in Australia, do connect with a counsellor from MWT Global Consultancy, the most reputed nursing recruitment agency in Kochi!