Why study postgraduate nursing with the University of Sydney?

1 May 2018

Take your career to the next level

At Sydney Nursing School, our postgraduate nursing degrees build on the knowledge you have already gained as a registered nurse, giving you the skills required to move into a specialist role and take your career to the next level.

Hear from current staff, students and alumni talk about the benefits of studying postgraduate nursing at the University.

1. Broaden your career and advance to a leadership role in nursing

Our postgraduate nursing degrees are designed for registered nurses who are looking to advance to a leadership role.

What you learn will be immediately applicable to your professional practice. You will learn how to use the latest evidence to inform your clinical decision making, giving you the confidence to work as a leader in a range of healthcare settings.

Our graduates are highly employable, which is why we are ranked no. 1 in Australia and 4th in the world for graduate employability.*

Studying at Sydney Nursing School has given me the inspiration, motivation, and confidence to change direction and move to a new position with a fresh approach to patient care. I genuinely feel that my career is not limited and feel encouraged in my professional development.

Amanda Hunneybell, Master of Mental Health Nursing, Registered Nurse, Professor Marie Bashir Centre, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital

The knowledge and skills I have learnt at Sydney Nursing School has inspired me to make a difference to better the nursing profession in Tonga. I hope to be a good role model for nurses in my country.

Melesii Filise, Master of Advanced Nursing Practice

2. Choose a specialisation to suit your interests

At Sydney Nursing School, we offer a range of programs to suit your specialisation and professional ambitions, including:

The Master of Cancer and Haematology Nursing course allowed me to move from a registered nurse on the ward to a clinical nurse consultant in my area.

Katrina Wilczek, Master of Cancer and Haematology Nursing, Lymphoma and Bone Marrow Transplant Long Term Follow Up Clinical Nurse Consultant, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital

3. Learn from experts in nursing at one of the world’s top nursing schools

Our students learn from leading clinical experts and academics who are active researchers in the areas in which they teach. Their research aims to improve patient experience, inform clinical practice and education and influence health and health policy.

Many of our staff also work in frontline healthcare services, making a real difference to the healthcare landscape in Australia and internationally.

Many of the lecturers at Sydney Nursing School are in intensive care areas within local health districts. They help with everything that we are trying to learn.

Elliott Hough, Master of Intensive Care Nursing, Registered Nurse, Intensive Care, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital

4. Balance your work-study load with flexible study options

Choose how to fit study into your life with full-time and part-time options, as well as self-paced online study for some components of the program.

Each unit comprises of four compulsory face-to-face study days offering you real-time support from lecturers and clinical experts, and the opportunity to share experiences and build professional networks in an interactive class environment.

You can also choose to study at a level suited to you with many of our programs being offered at master’s, graduate diploma and graduate certificate levels, offering you the opportunity to progress your career as you choose.

I really liked the freedom of online study balanced with the face-to-face study days throughout semester. Here, guest speakers, academics and other advanced practice clinicians share their knowledge and expertise, which is always highly inspiriting, relevant and interesting.

Anja Ebker-White, Master of Emergency Nursing, Registered Nurse ED, Emergency Department, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital

5. Benefit from close affiliations with clinical schools and hospitals

Sydney Nursing School shares close affiliations with the University of Sydney’s clinical schools based at Royal Prince Alfred, Royal North Shore, Concord, Nepean and Westmead hospitals, with academic leads across Sydney based at the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, Royal Hospital for Women, St Vincent’s Hospitals, Royal Rehab, the Charles Perkins Centre and at a number of medical research institutes.

I knew that the University of Sydney was closely affiliated with Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and with the campus being so closely located it seemed only logical to choose Sydney. Hearing positive experiences from current students and also its prestigious reputation sealed the deal for me to start my postgraduate degree there.

Kate Bilton, Master of Cancer and Haematology Nursing, Clinical Nurse Specialist in Medical Oncology, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse

I had the opportunity to undertake clinical placement at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital which was a great exposure to the Australian healthcare system. I plan to take the processes I have learnt and implement them in my home country of Botswana to improve patient care and satisfaction.

Unaani Mani, Master of Intensive Care Nursing

6. Scholarships are available to assist with the cost of your studies

Scholarships recognise the immense talent of our students and open doors to new opportunities. We currently offer six Susan Wakil Scholarships to postgraduate nursing students ranging in value from $8,625 to $26,625. These scholarships are awarded to students, not just because of academic excellence, but also community involvement and a demonstrated passion for the nursing industry.

We strongly encourage students who are considering undertaking specialist nursing training to also apply for these scholarship opportunities.