Postgraduate Programmes - Department of Nursing and Midwifery Studies

Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing Studies (Intensive Care/Peri-Operative/Accident and Emergency)

Programme Director:  Bernard McCarthy

1. Introduction
2. Programme Duration and Structure
3. Programme Content
4. Entry Requirements
5. Selection Process
6. Application

Introduction

The Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing Studies (Intensive Care, Perioperative and Accident and Emergency) has been designed for registered nurses, who wish to pursue a specialist course in Accident and Emergency or Perioperative, or Intensive Care Nursing. The course will enable individuals to develop confidence in their knowledge and skills as evidenced by demonstrating increased autonomy in practice. The Postgraduate Diploma is offered in partnership with the Health Services Executive Western Region.

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Programme Duration and Structure

The aim of the programme is to develop knowledgeable, sensitive practitioners, who have a high level of specialist skills. The course is full-time over a twelve-month period and consists of both theoretical and clinical components. The theoretical component will be complemented by clinical practice designed to build the competence required to nurse effectively within the designated specialist setting. The majority of clinical practice will take place in the students’ own work setting.

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Programme Content

The course comprises of six modules of which three are generic/core and three are specialist exclusive to Accident and Emergency, or Peri-Operative or Intensive Care Nursing. Students will also undertake practice assessments and assignments.

Modules:

• Professional Issues in Nursing (Core)
• Clinical Leadership (Core)
• Evidence-Based Practice (Core)
• Specialist Nursing Module 1
• Specialist Nursing Module 2
• Specialist Nursing Module 3

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Entry Requirements

All applicants must meet the following entry criteria:

• be registered on the General Nurse division of the Register maintained by An Bord Altranais.


• hold an active nursing registration.


• have a minimum of two years post-registration experience (exclusive of post-registration courses).


• be currently working in the required specialist area (i.e. Accident and Emergency or Perioperative or Intensive Care), and have as a minimum six months clinical experience in this specialist area.


• meet the following educational requirements:

Entry into the programme requires evidence that candidates have the capacity to undertake the programme.  The entry criteria is an honours degree or Higher Diploma.  Those applicants who do not hold an honours degree or Higher Diploma will be given the opportunity to be considered for the programme by submitting a 1,000 word literature based essay which will be judged to determine its equivalence to an honours degree (or Level 8) programme.

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Selection Process

The selection is based on the application and submitted written essay of the potential student. A place will be offered to an applicant who:

• Meets the entry criteria set out above.
• Demonstrates an understanding of the demands of the programme and the motivation to complete the programme.
• Demonstrates in his/her essay the potential to cope with the academic standards required.
• Includes a letter from the candidate's Director of Nursing guaranteeing practice placements in the appropriate specialism within the candidate's current place of work.

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Application

Further information can be obtained from the Postgraduate Admissions Office
www.nuigalway.ie/postgrad
pqnursingnuigalway.ie

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