Program Overview
Master of Nursing – MN
The Master of Nursing (MN) degree at Massey University prepares students for a range of clinical leadership roles in specialty areas. The program develops advanced knowledge and skills in a chosen field through a mix of theoretical and clinical courses.
Type of Qualification
- Master's degree
- Postgraduate study
- NZQF level 9
Time to Complete
- 3 years full-time
- 4 years part-time
Where You Can Study
- Distance and online
International Students
- Not open to international students
Key Dates
- Admission application due dates
- Course enrolment dates for accepted students
- Semester dates
Study a Master of Nursing – MN
Most students undertaking postgraduate study in nursing are in full-time practice and study part-time. Several postgraduate nursing courses are delivered via distance learning or 'block mode'. There is also web-based teaching, relevant readings, and other study material. This is designed to make the courses available to students in employment and located at a distance from the university.
Nurse Practitioner Information
Nurse Practitioner Training Support Scheme (NPTSS)
You can take Prescribing and Advanced Practice for Nurse Practitioners (60 credits) to complete Part Two of the Master of Nursing or following completion of an eligible Master's degree through NPTSS funding only.
Preparation and Training to Become a Mātanga Tapuhi/Nurse Practitioner (NP)
This suite of resources created by Te Whatu Ora contains advice, support, links, and guides for those looking to undertake an NP pathway, their clinical mentors, managers, employers, and whanau/family.
Develop Your Practice
Students like you initially enrol in the postgraduate certificate to develop clinical knowledge and skills. You then study towards a Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing. Or, you can progress to a Master of Nursing as preparation for advanced practice roles and/or Nurse Practitioner registration.
Learn from the Best in Your Field
You’ll learn from academics and professional clinicians who are highly experienced registered nurses. Their expertise in practice and research drives the development of relevant, up-to-date course content, teaching, and assessment of your work.
You’ll Be Supported All the Way
Along with contact with your lecturers, learning consultants in the Centre for Learner Success are available to support your study and academic writing skills. Massey libraries have a subject librarian who supports you on campus or if you are studying via distance.
A MN is a Good Fit If You:
- Want to take your registered nurse career to the next level
- Seek to develop your professional practice
- Strive to make a major contribution to people’s health and wellbeing
Entry Requirements
Admission to Massey
All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.
Specific Requirements
To enter 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 practising certificate from the Nursing Council of New Zealand
- Have completed at least 2 years of professional experience in a relevant nursing specialty within the previous 5 years
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.
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 Industry Requirements
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.
Structure of the Master of Nursing
The Master of Nursing is a parts-based qualification. That means you must complete the first part before moving to the second.
Part One (180 credits from)
Compulsory Courses (Choose 60 credits from)
- Physiology and Pathophysiology (30 credits)
- Clinical Pharmacology (30 credits)
Compulsory Course Selection (Choose 30 credits from)
- Assessment and Clinical Decision-Making in Mental Health (30 credits)
- Assessment and Clinical Decision-Making (30 credits)
Compulsory Course Selection (Choose 30 credits from)
- Health Research Design and Method (30 credits)
- Evidence-Based Practice (30 credits)
Elective Courses (Choose 60 credits from)
- Health Systems Management (30 credits)
- Contemporary Issues in Health Service Management (30 credits)
- Issues in Nursing (30 credits)
- Managing Long Term Conditions (30 credits)
- Contemporary Approaches to Clinical Teaching and Learning (30 credits)
- Pain Management (30 credits)
- Assessment and Clinical Decision-Making in Mental Health (30 credits)
- Applied Ethics for Professional Practice (30 credits)
- Clinical Specialty: Older Persons' Health (30 credits)
- Psychological Interventions in Mental Health (30 credits)
- Kawa Whakaruruhau and Cultural Safety in Clinical Practice (30 credits)
- Wound Management (30 credits)
- Primary Health Care in Practice (30 credits)
- Assessment and Clinical Decision-Making (30 credits)
- Leadership in Nursing (30 credits)
- Advanced Critical Care Nursing (30 credits)
- Foundations in Critical Care Nursing (30 credits)
- Registered Nurse Prescribing Practicum (30 credits)
- Health and Well-being of Children and Young People (30 credits)
- Advanced Topics in Nursing (30 credits)
- Advanced Occupational Health and Safety (30 credits)
- Sleep and Circadian Science for Health Practitioners (30 credits)
Part Two (60 credits from)
Core Courses
- Clinical Project for Nurses (60 credits)
- Prescribing and Advanced Practice for Nurse Practitioners 1 (30 credits)
- Prescribing and Advanced Practice for Nurse Practitioners 2 (30 credits)
- Research Report (60 credits)
Fees and Scholarships
2026 Tuition Fees
- Domestic students: $8,943
- International students: Not applicable
Course Fees
You can view fees for the courses that make up your qualification on the course details pages.
Student Loans (StudyLink) and Fees Free Scheme
You may be eligible for a student loan to help towards paying your fees.
Scholarship and Award Opportunities
- Cat Pausé Postgraduate Scholarship
- Massey University Postgraduate Overseas Research Grant
- Massey University Postgraduate Scholarship
- Te Pitomata Grants
Careers and Job Opportunities
The Master of Nursing (MN) degree prepares nurses for advanced practice roles. Our graduates work as:
- Nurse practitioners
- Nurse prescribers
- Clinical nurse specialists
- Clinical nurse educators
- Registered Nurse (RN) prescriber
- Nursing leadership roles such as director of nursing, clinical nurse managers, nurse researchers, nurse advisors
Nurse Practitioner
Nurse practitioners have advanced education, clinical training, and the demonstrated competence and legal authority to practice beyond the level of a registered nurse. Nurse practitioners work autonomously and in collaborative teams. They provide a wide range of assessment and treatment interventions, ordering and interpreting diagnostic and laboratory tests, and prescribing medicines.
To become a nurse practitioner, you must:
- Be a registered nurse
- Have 4 years of practice experience in your area of expertise
- Complete the Master of Nursing, which includes the Prescribing for Nurse Practitioner Practice practicum
Accreditations and Rankings
QS Ranking - Nursing
Massey nursing is ranked in the world's top 225 universities by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS).
ShanghaiRanking - Nursing
Massey University is ranked in the top 200 universities in the world in the subject area of nursing by the ShanghaiRanking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects.
Related Study Options
Bachelor of Nursing – BN
Qualification: 360 credits Location: Wellington campus, Manawatū campus (Palmerston North)
Make a difference in someone’s life every day. Nursing offers diverse employment positions and many options for professional development and postgraduate study.
Master of Clinical Practice (Nursing) – MClinPrac
Qualification: 240 credits Location: Distance and online
Are you passionate about helping people? Massey’s Master of Clinical Practice (Nursing) is a vocationally focused qualification that is a postgraduate pathway to becoming a registered nurse.
Postgraduate Certificate in Nursing – PGCertNurs
Qualification: 60 credits Location: Distance and online
Take the next step in your nursing career. Massey’s Postgraduate Certificate in Nursing provides registered nurses with the knowledge needed to develop their professional practice within a clinical specialty.
Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing – PGDipNurs
Qualification: 120 credits Location: Distance and online
Keen to take the next step in your nursing career? The Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing (PGDipNurs) will advance your practice and prepare you for further development towards senior nursing roles.