Updating Results

University of Canberra

  • 20% international / 80% domestic

Professional Doctorate in Nurse Practitioner (Research)

  • Doctorate (PhD)

Key details

Degree Type
Doctorate (PhD)
Course Code
253JA

About this course

Designed for experienced and qualified nurse practitioners seeking to take their career to the highest levels of healthcare research and understanding, this Professional Doctorate in Nurse Practitioner (Research) course will offer you a direct pathway to becoming a leader in your specific field of nursing interest.

Across this three-year doctoral degree, you'll learn valuable research skills and gain in-depth practical experience, thanks to an engaging and thought-provoking selection of coursework units and practice opportunities - before selecting a research topic related to improving clinical practice to focus on for your dissertation.

Upon completion you'll graduate with a doctorate and a systematic and critical understanding of nurse practitioner delivery services; and associated consumer outcomes within the broader field of health. Also, your completed research should make a significant contribution to nursing practitioner procedures, and you'll be ready to promote your new insights to the community and your peers.

As a Higher Degree by Research (HDR), this course is covered under the Australian Government's Research Training Program (RTP) funding model, which provides a fee offset for domestic students for the standard duration of the course.

Entry requirements

Applicants must have:
1. An undergraduate degree or equivalent as approved by the University; and
2. A masters degree or equivalent as approved by the University; and
3. Be qualified as a nurse practitioner in Australia or another country.

Candidates must:
1. Satisfactorily complete all requirements of each unit in the coursework component of the course within the first year of full-time candidature or the first three years of part-time candidature
2. Attend and participate in the intensive research workshop at which the presentation components of their academic milestone has been scheduled, except where otherwise negotiated with the candidate?s Principal Supervisor and the Course Convenor
3. Attend and participate in a minimum of one intensive research workshop each calendar year, as scheduled by the Course Convenor.

Study locations

Canberra

What you will learn

  • develop a systematic and critical understanding of a substantial and complex body of knowledge at the frontier of health services
  • independently and engage in critical reflection, synthesis, and evaluation.
  • develop adapt and implement research methodologies to extend and redefine existing knowledge or professional practice, disseminate and promote new insights to peers and the community
  • generate original expertise and understanding to make a substantial contribution to the health field
  • have expert and specialised cognitive, technical and research skills in nursing; specifically, in
  • the role of a nurse practitioner
  • apply knowledge and skills to demonstrate autonomy, definitive judgement, adaptability and responsibility as an expert, leading clinical scholarship in health.

Career pathways

  • nurse academic
  • clinical research nurse
  • nurse researcher
  • advanced nurse practitioner
  • director of Nursing