The Master of Primary Health Care Nursing is tailored specifically for registered nurses working or intending to work in primary healthcare. It will assist you to develop the specialist knowledge and skills required to practise effectively within complex primary healthcare settings. As a primary healthcare student, you will focus on the health needs of individuals, families and communities, and the importance of providing accessible and equitable healthcare. You will learn about chronic disease prevention and management, including relevant evidence-based, decision-making processes and practices, concepts of self-management and coordinated, quality care. During this one and a half year degree, you will be led by leading researchers as you build upon your individual clinical experience. There is an emphasis on determinants of health, community needs assessment, community participation, health promotion models, health education and health literacy and how these inform and underpin primary health care in the community. You are also encouraged to engage in interdisciplinary work through electives and collaboration opportunities across the University's School of Public Health and the Charles Perkins Centre. A work-based project or research thesis will comprise the capstone experience of this degree, providing the opportunity for you to explore a particular area of your interest. Future study options If you have a particular interest in research, you have the option to take a research stream within any of Sydney Nursing School’s specialty postgraduate coursework degrees. This stream will develop your research skills and knowledge. It may also provide a pathway into the PhD program at Sydney Nursing School. Graduate opportunities Nurses who work in primary health care are today at the front line in caring for people with increasingly complex health needs. They are pivotal to the health of patients, their families and communities. Primary health care is becoming one of the main health models in Australia and internationally and there will be many career opportunities for nurses with postgraduate qualifications in primary health care. A suitably educated primary health care focused workforce is already in short supply. With the rising incidence and prevalence of chronic diseases and multi-morbidities, confounded by an ageing population, the need for an appropriately prepared primary health care workforce is greater than ever.