Master of Clinical Practice (Nursing) – MClinPrac

Entry requirements

Admission to Massey

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

Massey University entry requirements

Specific requirements

This is a selected entry qualification. Meeting Massey's admission requirements alone does not guarantee entry. You must meet additional criteria and provide supporting documentation.

To enter the Master of Clinical Practice (Nursing) you will:

• have been awarded or qualified for a bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification with a grade average of B over the highest 2 levels of courses
• meet the requirements for registration as a nurse in New Zealand regarding good character and fitness to practice for registration as set out by the Nursing Council of New Zealand in terms of the Health Practitioners Competency Assurance Act 2003.
• provide a personal supporting statement of about 300 words explaining why you chose the Master of Clinical Practice (Nursing) and why you feel you would make a good nurse:
  • list any personal characteristics you have that demonstrate your suitability
  • include how you will manage intensified blended learning (distance learning, online self-directed learning, on-campus block courses, labs and clinical placements)
  • confirm that you are aware of the necessity of travelling and accommodating yourself on Massey's Manawatū campus 2-3 times a semester for a week at a time for block courses.
• submit an up-to-date CV including all education, employment and relevant activities, with no unexplained gaps in dates. Any periods not covered by work or study should be briefly explained (for example travel, job seeking or caregiving responsibilities).
• provide details of 2 two character referees:
  • your referees must NOT be family members or friends
  • ideal referees are an employer, manager or community representative
  • in some circumstances we may request an additional referee.
• complete the vetting service request and consent form for a New Zealand Police check (a criminal record check under the Criminal Records (Clean Slate) Act 2004)
• provide a current police certificate from any overseas countries you have lived in for a total of 12 months or more in the last 10 years
• complete the Health and Disability Declaration
• attend an interview if required.

You will need to provide copies of all official academic transcripts for studies taken at all universities other than Massey University.

About referees

Referees must be able to comment on your suitability for nursing and must have known you for at least 1 year in a professional or community capacity. Suitable referees may include:

• an employer
• educator
• kaumātua
• minister of religion
• community leader.

Referees must NOT be:

• family members
• friends
• flatmates
• anyone who has known you for less than 1 year.

All referee information remains confidential as part of the selection process.

English language requirements

You must demonstrate that you can communicate and comprehend English sufficiently to protect the health and safety of the public (section 16 (a) & (b) HPCA Act 2003). If English is not your first language you must provide your results from an Academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test or an approved alternative English Language test. The alternative options include Pearsons PTE, OET and TOEFL English Language tests.

You must have achieved at least 7.0 across all bands with no band less than 7.0 (or equivalent score in an approved alternative English Language test) within the preceding 2 years.

If English is not your first language and you experience communication difficulties in either theory, laboratory or clinical components of any nursing course within the qualification, you will be required to sit a further IELTS, or approved alternative English Language test, at your own expense. Failure to achieve a score of 7.0 (or equivalent) in one sitting, may result in your being withdrawn from the qualification. Massey University does not accept any responsibility for students' lack of achievement in a course due to lack of English proficiency. 

Massey University English language requirements

Inherent requirements

Inherent requirements are essential skills and attributes successful students will demonstrate to complete nursing courses while preserving the academic integrity of Massey University and New Zealand Nursing council’s learning, assessment and accreditation processes. Please read through this list of inherent requirements.

Inherent requirements for nurses

Once your application has been accepted

After successfully gaining a place in the Master of Clinical Practice (Nursing), you will need to complete the following tasks in order to be eligible for clinical placement (a compulsory part of the qualification):

• meet the immunisation standards of practice for healthcare professionals in New Zealand. This includes, Hepatitis B, Varicella (Chicken pox), Measles, Pertussis (Whooping cough), Tuberculosis (TB) and COVID 19, and must be completed by 16 February. Further details will be sent to you on admission into the qualification
• hold a CPR First Aid Certificate (at a minimum). Must be completed by 16 February)
• fill out a Vulnerable Children Act 2014 (VCA 2014) questionaire (provided at orientation)
• sign a Professional Conduct and Confidentiality document (provided at orientation).

Application closing date

Applications close on 31 December for study commencing the following year.

Additional costs

Participation in this qualification incurs further associated costs (which may exceed $2,000) plus the necessary travel. These costs include but are not limited to:

• uniform
• equipment
• textbooks
• first aid certificate
• immunity screening.

On successful completion of the qualification – in order to become a registered nurse – you will need to pay for:

• NCNZ State examination State final examinations
• NCNZ APC (Annual practicing certificate) Annual practising certificates.

Travelling to and from clinical placements

You will need to travel to and from clinical placements throughout the qualification. These placements vary in shift times as you progress. It is important to consider how you will travel and what level of drivers licence you have. If you do not have a full drivers licence you will need to apply for an exemption to NZTA Waka Kotahi to travel outside of your limitations for each occurrence. Each application involves a fee. 

Travelling to lab blocks

You will need to attend week-long laboratories on the Manawatū Campus in Palmerston North. You'll need to make your own arrangements to attend. Lab blocks are Monday-Friday twice a semester for the first 3 semesters of the qualification. 

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. 

• 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

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.

Meeting requirements for industry membership

Becoming a registered nurse

In order to become a registered nurse, there are requirements from the Nursing Council of New Zealand that you will need to meet, in terms of your good character and fitness to become a registered nurse.

There are requirements both before you start your study and when you successfully complete this qualification.

See details in the ‘Specific requirements’ section above.

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.