Master of Nursing – MN

Entry requirements

Admission to Massey

All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.

Massey University entry requirements

Specific requirements

To enter Part One of the Master of Nursing you will have been awarded or qualified for a: 

• Bachelor's degree with a minimum grade average of B over the 300 level courses, or
• Postgraduate Certificate in Nursing or equivalent, with a minimum B grade average, or
• Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing or equivalent, with a minimum B grade average.

You will also: 

• Be a Registered Nurse (enrolled nurses are not eligible) with a current practising certificate from the Nursing Council of New Zealand (or are eligible to apply for one).
• Have completed at least 2 years of professional experience in a relevant nursing specialty within the previous 5 years.

To enter Part Two of the Master of Nursing, you will have completed the Master of Nursing Part One (or equivalent) with a minimum B grade average.

One Master of Nursing (MN) pathway includes the Mātanga Tapuhi Nurse Practitioner Training Programme/Practicum (168870 and 168871; completed in Part Two). There are additional entry and funding requirements. We advise all students who hope to pursue this pathway to review:

• The information on the Nurse Practitioner section of the Nursing Council of New Zealand website, and
• The funding criteria at Te Whatu Ora Nurse Practitioner Training Support Scheme (NPTSS), and
• Our Mātanga Tapuhi Nurse Practitioner Training information.

We also recommend you seek early advice regarding the eligibility/suitability of your academic transcripts and clinical experience. Email [email protected] to discuss your options.

Evidence required

You will need to provide copies of all official academic transcripts for studies taken (completed and not completed) at all universities other than Massey University.

The New Zealand Nursing Council requires that if your qualification is from an overseas institution (other than Australia) you will need to have it authenticated and assessed by NZQA before credit can be awarded.

Please note; any misrepresentations or omissions provided during the application process may result in offers/enrolment being rescinded/terminated. This includes your academic record (including all qualifications started but not finished), CV, work history and reference details).

Time limits for Honours, Distinction and Merit

Where your qualification is completed within the stated time limit and to a high standard, you may be able to graduate with a class of Honours, Distinction or Merit. 

• Look for information under ‘Student Progression’ in the General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas and Postgraduate Certificates.
• Contact us through the ‘Get advice’ button on this page if you have any questions.

Prior learning, credit and exemptions

If you have been awarded a Postgraduate Certificate in Nursing or Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing from Massey University, you may apply for credit towards Part One of the Master of Nursing qualification.

Overseas Trained NPs

If you completed a clinical/advanced practice master’s qualification and/or worked as an NP overseas, the New Zealand Nursing Council requires that your qualification be assessed and authenticated by NZQA and that it is assessed by a Tertiary Education provider (TEP), that offers an accredited NP training qualification, for equivalence.  This is not required for qualifications completed in Australia and there is an expedited process for NPs who trained/worked in the United States of America or Canada. Contact the Nursing Council of New Zealand for more information.

For information on prior learning, exemptions and transfer of credit or other questions:

• review the Recognition of Prior Learning regulations
• contact us through the ‘Get advice’ button on this page.

English language skills

If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.

Mātanga Tapuhi Nurse Practitioners Training Pathway Information

Mātanga tapuhi nurse practitioners have advanced education, clinical training and the demonstrated 

competence and legal authority to practise beyond the scope of a registered nurse. NPs work autonomously and in collaborative teams with other health professionals to promote health, prevent disease, and improve access and population health outcomes for a specific patient group or community.

They provide a wide range of assessment and treatment interventions, ordering and interpreting diagnostic and laboratory tests, diagnosing/treating disease and prescribing medicines.

The NP pathway requires a 240 credit Master of Nursing finishing with the two practicum courses, 168870 and 168871. Prescribing and Advanced Practice for Nurse Practitioners, 1 and 2. Admission into these courses is at the discretion of the Course Coordinator. The courses prepare you for registration in the NP scope of practice. You will meet the competencies required for NP registration at a ‘competent’ or higher level and consolidate your skills in diagnostic reasoning and safe prescribing practice. Your practicum experience will be specific to your specialty area of practice.

Clinical prerequisites

You must have 4 years of practice experience as an RN (full-time equivalent) in your area of expertise.

Academic prerequisites

NCNZ require that Mātanga tapuhi NPs have completed a council-approved master’s degree (240 credits total). At Massey University, this is the Master of Nursing, culminating in the 168870/168871 Prescribing and Advanced Practice for Nurse Practitioners courses. The master’s qualification must include the following courses, completed within 5 years (or have been granted equivalent credit) before you can be enrolled in Prescribing and Advanced Practice for Nurse Practitioners 1 and 2:

• 168733 Physiology and Pathophysiology (30 credits)
• 168734 Clinical Pharmacology (30 credits, B grade or higher)
• 168728 Assessment and Clinical Decision-Making (30 credits, B grade or higher)
• 168711 Health Research and Design and Method (30 credits, B grade or higher)
• Two other elective courses

If the required courses were completed more than 5 years ago or the required grades were not achieved, this will require a discussion with the Postgraduate Director.  

Workplace practicum

You will need a primary and at least 1 secondary clinical placement. These will develop your knowledge and skills including history taking, clinical assessment, creation and sifting of differential diagnosis, ordering/interpretation of diagnostic tests and prescribing treatment.

You must complete 300 hours (500 hours if getting NPTP funding) of practice in total to complete the practicum. These hours should be outside usual RN duties and are usually supernumerary.

Clinical Supervision: All practicum experience must be completed under the direct supervision of a medical practitioner or NP who is an authorised prescriber. Medical practitioners should be Senior Medical Officers or – if a General Practitioner – have vocational registration.

Clinical Supervisor: Candidates must have access to a clinical supervisor who will provide formal and informal supervision during the practicum and participate in clinical competence assessments.

Mātanga Tapuhi Nurse Practitioner Mentor: If your primary clinical supervisor is not an NP, you must find a NP mentor to provide additional clinical supervision during your practicum.

Appropriate tools to perform diagnostic and prescribing duties: NP candidates should be able to order and review diagnostic tests and access pertinent educational activities to support their prescribing.

Professional Supervision: All candidates must participate in professional supervision with someone 

outside their place of work/university. This involves formalised, regular, sustained reviews of your self-and-work undertaken within a structured supervisory relationship.

Contract: You must complete a contract between yourself, your employer (or clinical practice setting) and your clinical supervisor to confirm that you will be supported and given appropriate clinical release

to complete the practicum. 

After you have finished the master's degree you must apply to the Nursing Council, pay the fee and submit all portfolios etc before you can become a Nurse Practitioner.

Maximum time limits for completion

There are maximum time limits to complete postgraduate qualifications.  If you do not complete within the maximum time, you may be required to re-apply for the qualification if you wish to continue your studies.

Official regulations

To understand what you need to study and must complete to graduate read the official rules and regulations for this qualification.

You should read these together with all other relevant Statutes and Regulations of the University including the General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas, and Postgraduate Certificates.

Returning students

For returning students, there may be changes to the majors and minors available and the courses you need to take. Go to the section called ‘Transitional Provisions’ in the Regulations to find out more.

In some cases the qualification or specialisation you enrolled in may no longer be taking new enrolments, so may not appear on these web pages. To find information on the regulations for these qualifications go to the Massey University Calendar.

Please contact us through the Get advice button on this page if you have any questions.

*This course is not available to international students.