The Master of Nursing will assist nurses in gaining advanced knowledge and skills to effectively respond to the demands of rapidly changing and increasingly complex health care practice environments. It will enable graduates to participate effectively in the health workforce as highly skilled, culturally responsive, knowledgeable and confident practitioners able to work across professional boundaries to respond to health needs.
Underpinned by the intent of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the focus of learning in the programme will include working reflexively with clients, whanau and communities within differing interprofessional collaborations and relationships. Graduates will contribute to environments that support and promote Maori worldviews and will proactively identify strategies to reduce health inequities and institutional barriers in a wider socio-ecological context. Graduates will be enabled to engage in transformative learning strategies that build on the strengths, knowledge, skills and relationships acquired through their practice and during the programme. An emphasis on practice scholarship, research and practice-focused learning approaches will enable students to develop more appreciative and critical perspectives about self, others and the context of professional practice.

A graduate of the Master of Nursing will be able to: - Work reflexively in providing culturally responsive specialist or advanced nursing practice consistent with the intent of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the health needs of specific communities and populations. - Evaluate conceptual and evidence bases for advanced practice and use reflexive strategies to articulate clear reasoning for their practice with clients and colleagues. - Engage in transformational and relational processes that stimulate professional growth, learning and change in specialist or advanced nursing practice roles within interprofessional health teams. In addition, a graduate of Pathway 1 Nurse Practitioner will also be able to: - Demonstrate advanced knowledge of pathophysiology, pharmacology and demonstrate a high level of clinical proficiency in complex client situations and an ability to practice across healthcare contexts. - Demonstrate competence in diagnostic decision-making and planning therapeutic interventions using evidence based, innovative and culturally responsive approaches to improve client health outcomes. - Show accountability and autonomy in practicing within the regulatory and professional frameworks that inform nurse practitioner practice, demonstrating a high level clinical leadership and management. - Demonstrate achievement of NCNZ Competencies for the nurse practitioner scope of practice. In addition, a graduate of Pathway 2 Advanced Nursing Practice will also be able to: - Demonstrate expert and resilient nursing practice within complex and challenging work environments and across interprofessional teams. - Demonstrate effective decision-making with clients and colleagues that reflects collaboration, creativity and leadership in health service settings. In addition, a graduate of Pathway 3 Research Dissertation will also be able to: - Develop relevant, meaningful and cost-effective solutions for nursing leadership, education and practice related challenges in the workplace. - Build resilience and increased capacity to respond to changing population health care needs within service delivery, professional organisations, and communities of practice.

Possible PhD for graduates following the research pathway.

Master of Nursing - Pathway 1 Nurse Practitioner pathway will have the following entry requirements: Registration as a nurse with a current practising certificate and be in good standing with the NCNZ; Completion of a minimum of 3 years' equivalent full time relevant practice within the past 5 years, with at least 1 of the 3 years in full time practice in New Zealand; Meet specific requirements for entry to practice within health services including immunisation, police vetting and indemnity insurance. Entry requirements for the 30-credit Level 9 NURS902 Nurse Practitioner practicum must have: Completed 3 years' full time equivalent practice in the area of practice they are intending to practice in as a nurse practitioner. A working relationship within an interprofessional team and the support of a nurse practitioner or experienced medical practitioner An agreement to undertake the practicum within an organisation that supports nurse prescribing Identified two areas of clinical practice in which to develop the nurse practitioner role, one of which will be the intended area of prescribing practice. One experience must be undertaken with a clinical supervisor who is a nurse practitioner.