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. This means as well as applying you will need to provide additional material as part of your application. 

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.

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

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 qualities.

Inherent requirements for nurses

Documentation

You will need to provide the following documents. These are to meet the requirements set down by the Nursing Council of New Zealand for registration as a nurse in New Zealand (in terms of your good character and fitness to be a nurse): 

• 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, and labs and clinical placements)
  • confirm that you are aware of the necessity of travelling and accommodating yourself on the Manawatu Massey campus 2-3 times a semester for a week at a time for block courses.
• a curriculum vitae of approximately 3 pages, which should include your academic and work history
• provide details of 2 character referees. Your referees must not be family or friends. An employer, manager or community representative would be ideal. 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 12 months or more in the last 10 years
• complete the Health and Disability Declaration
• an interview may be required.

Once you have been accepted into the Master of Clinical Practice (Nursing)

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 VCA 2014 Questionnaire- Vulnerable Children Act 2014 (VCA 2014) (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.

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 in an Academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test or an approved alternative English Language test. 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 being withdrawn from the qualification. Massey University does not accept any responsibility for student’s lack of achievement in a course due to lack of English proficiency. 

• Massey University English language requirements

About referees

Referees need to be able to provide informed responses on your personal suitability for the qualification. A referee should be someone who has known you for 1 year or more in the capacity of employer, educator, work colleague or person of community standing, for example a kaumātua, minister or similar. Your referee should not be a friend, flatmate, relative or someone who has not known you for at least a year. The information your referee supplies is confidential to those involved in the selection process.

Additional Costs

Participation in this qualification incurs further associated costs. This 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, students 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.