Master of Nursing Program
Are you looking to re-energize your passion for nursing?
Would you like to:
- qualify for unique and interesting nursing positions?
- enjoy a more predictable work schedule?
- make new friends and expand your network?
The University of Alberta’s Master of Nursing program is your first step to advanced practice nursing.
Upon applying, you’ll select one of four areas of focus:Education
Leading to teaching roles in academia or nursing practice.
Leadership
Preparing for management and administrative positions in hospitals, government, community and private organizations.
Research
Preparing to coordinate research projects and collaborate as a research assistant on project teams.
Core courses in each stream will provide the knowledge and skills you’ll need for practice in your chosen nursing focus.
Research and problem-solving skills are core areas of competency for all advanced practice nurses. In each stream, you’ll also take a series of courses designed to guide you through building research and capstone projects from proposals to completion.
You’ll also gain experience in new settings through projects and clinical practica that align with your focus.
Students choose either thesis or course-based studies for completion of the program.
The updated curriculum also prepares graduates to meet the healthcare needs of Indigenous persons and communities.
Online flexibility allows you to keep working as a nurse while you study
The MN program uses a mix of online and in-person learning, accommodating schedules for working students. Some courses are timetabled during the day and evening. Teaching modalities include face-to-face on campus, hybrid (concurrent groups in the classroom and online), and fully online. Distance students residing outside Edmonton have priority access to online course sections so that nurses from rural areas or outside Alberta can access graduate studies. Distance students in the advanced practice (nurse practitioner) stream complete clinical practicum hours within 150 km of their home communities.
The program also offers flexibility in course sequencing with minimal prerequisites to avoid barriers to program progression.
Students in all streams must be available to participate in regularly scheduled classes and seminars.
Apply NowProfessional Benefits
By completing your Master of Nursing, you will:
- Develop advanced skills and knowledge in patient care
- Be equipped to provide up-to-date education for nurses, patients and other healthcare professionals
- Learn to develop research projects and interpret results, becoming a valuable asset to research teams
- Become an advocate for health policy initiatives
- Apply the latest technology in health service delivery
- Evaluate healthcare practices from the context of policy, ethics, economics and operational viability
- Expand your professional network
- Qualify for unique and interesting nursing positions
Careers
Career paths for advanced practice nurses can include:
- Nurse Practitioner - Responsibilities usually include diagnosing and treating acute conditions, ordering diagnostic tests or lab work, managing patients, serving as a primary care provider and prescribing medications.
- Clinical Specialist - Clinical leadership roles in diverse settings that specialize in nursing of populations with specific health conditions and needs.
- Nursing Educator - Teaching roles in academia or nursing practice.
- Leadership roles - Management and administration positions in hospitals, government, community and private organizations.
- Research - Coordinate research projects and collaborate as a research assistant on project teams; Extend research training for your future doctoral studies.
- Informatics - Analyze data to help improve patient care practices and help healthcare facilities administer new technology.
- Consultant - Lead quality improvement initiatives and provide nursing expertise in clinical, legal, or operational health care consulting.
What our students are saying
“I was very attracted to the UAlberta Master of Nursing program because of the remote learning as I live in another city. I definitely benefited from the online option and I liked that the program ran continuously from start to finish.”
“My favourite part has been meeting new people from across Canada and learning about all the different areas of expertise for nurse practitioners through our guest lecturers.”
“I chose the U of A program because I did my undergraduate degree here and loved my experience. U of A’s nursing program has a very high reputation in the world in teaching as well as research.”
“I really enjoyed the flexibility of the online option as a mature student who is still working as a part-time registered nurse. I also love the focus on research skills and how my supervisor is so supportive of my school, work and personal life. I would choose the U of A’s program over again without a doubt.”
“This program has opened so many opportunities for me. I’m in a position to be a valuable asset to a research team because of my education.”
“I know how to develop and interpret research to better promote evidence-based practice. I have the tools to solve problems in my workplace. I’ve also been exposed to positions in health care I never knew existed.”
“The mix of core courses in research and policy development has helped me holistically understand system issues and identify solutions within my practice area. The program skills that I developed over the past two years now help me in my new role at the International Network of Nurse Leaders and in rural emergency where I am working on strategies to retain nurses in the profession.”
“Take the leap and apply for your graduate studies! I believe it was a stepping stone that was definitely worth it and will help you gain a broader, more innovative perspective as a healthcare professional.”
Apply Early
Now is the time to think about graduate studies.
It takes time to gather reference letters and complete your application form. Start your application early!
Applications
The application deadline for all Master of Nursing streams is January 6 for a September start date of the same calendar year.
Apply NowQuestions?
Contact us through your student service portal or email nugrad@ualberta.ca