Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing
(Emergency Care)—full-time and part-time

The Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing (Emergency Care) is designed for registered nurses who wish to pursue a specialism in Emergency Nursing. This programme is offered full-time over one calendar year and part-time over two calendar years. Taught components of the programme are delivered in a blended learning format. Blended learning is an innovative teaching strategy which involves a combination of face-to-face and on-line learning. This means that most learning/teaching will be delivered on-line through Blackboard, an interactive learning system which connects directly to the University from your own home computer. Students are required to attend face to face workshops for a total of 12 days across the programme. The programme is comprised of seven theory/practice modules. In all modules there is an emphasis on exploring the relevance of module content to practice, similarly, practice placements allow students to explore "new" knowledge in practice, enabling them an opportunity to integrate theory and practice.

Students are required to undertake their clinical practice in an approved clinical practice setting within Ireland normally within the students' own work setting. Where the environment does not provide sufficient opportunities to meet the learning outcomes of the programme addition placements will be required by the student in sites which will provide the experience needed. A minimum of 1000 clinical hours need to be completed in the specialist area while undertaking the programme.

Special Features

The course is approved by An Bord Altranais and has a clinical focus, offering opportunities to develop specialist skills. The programme is offered through a blended learning format - a combination of online and face-to-face learning and teaching. Blended learning is an innovative and flexible approach to learning, making it possible to combine working full-time with studying.

Programme content

Modules:

• Clinical Governance: Supporting Safe Practice (core) 
• Using Research in Practice (core) 
• Specialist Module 1 (Medical Emergencies) 
• Specialist Module 2 (Major Trauma and Surgical Emergencies) 
• Specialist Module 3 (Special Patient Populations) 
• Specialist Module 4 (Clinical Skills Development in Emergency Nursing) 
• Service Improvement Module 
• Clinical Assessment 1 
• Clinical Assessment 2 
• Clinical Assessment 3