Students complete 32 units of study, 16 of these units are clinical practice courses. Second year courses may be completed over the summer semester and first semester of the following year. The third semester can be undertaken part-time (the only part-time option in the program). Students will need to complete either one or both of the theoretical courses in one semester and the four unit (#4) clinical practice course in the following semester, followed by the final extended clinical practice eight unit (#8) course in the last semester.

Students will undertake approximately 800 hours of supervised clinical practice in a range of clinical settings that includes hospitals and a variety of health care organisations. During their placements, students will have the opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge acquired through coursework to practice and develop their clinical skills in real life setting. Students will commence their clinical placements in week four of the program. During the first year students will normally complete approximately 38 x 8-hour shifts and in the final year students will complete approximately 86 x 8-hour shifts. Students may be required to undertake clinical placements outside of the Brisbane metropolitan area and students are required to fund their travel, accommodation and daily living expenses. Prior to applying, applicants should ensure they will be able to meet placement requirements outlined on the "Ready for Placement" website.

Upon completion of the Masters of Nursing Studies program students are eligible for entry on the Australian Health Practitioner Register as a Registered Nurse. Graduates may find employment as a nurse in a variety of public or private healthcare settings including: medical and surgical nursing intensive care emergency coronary care peri-operative care drug and alcohol nursing mental health community clinical practice (rural and metropolitan) aged care aid organisations