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Nursing: Gerontology (MHSc/PDip)
Course Overview
This programme is for all nurses caring for older people in acute, community or long-term care settings. The programme aims to equip students with the necessary knowledge, skills and competency to provide high quality care for older people that accords with the World Health Organisation (2003 pp.6–7) philosophy of gerontological nursing.
The full-time programme is offered full-time over two calendar years. On completion of the six modules in year 1 students have the option of being awarded a Postgraduate Diploma or (if they have achieved the minimum 60% average mark across these modules) may progress onto the 2nd year to complete the MSc programme.
It consists of both theoretical and clinical components. A blended learning approach is adopted in the delivery of this programme. Students are required to attend face to face workshops for an average of 12 days across the programme. Students are required to complete a minimum of 1,000 clinical hours before completing this programme.
SPECIAL FEATURES
The course 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, supporting students to integrate working full-time with study.
Scholarships available
Find out about our Postgraduate Scholarships here.
Applications and Selections
Applications are made online via the NUI Galway Postgraduate Applications System. Please note if you are considering leaving after the first year with a postgraduate diploma, you must choose “taught masters” from the ‘Academic Level’ drop-down when making your application online.
Who Teaches this Course
See full staff list here.
Requirements and Assessment
Assessment is via a combination of coursework and examinations.
Key Facts
Entry Requirements
- Be registered as a nurse on the live register of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI), i.e., General, Psychiatric or Intellectual Disability Register;
- Be currently working in a setting that requires them to provide care for older people and have a minimum six months’ clinical experience of working with this client group;
- Provide written evidence of support from their Director of Nursing for the duration of the programme;
- Have an honours bachelor’s degree at NFQ Level 8 in nursing or a comparable qualification. Applicants who do not hold an honours degree or Higher Diploma (Level 8) must demonstrate that they have successfully completed (in the previous two years) a module at Level 9. Please consult the professional credit awards at Level 9 at: www.nuigalway.ie/pca/pca.html.
Additional Requirements
Duration
2 years full-time (option to leave with PDip after 1 year)
Next start date
September 2021
A Level Grades ()
Average intake
15
Closing Date
Please refer to the review/closing date website.
NFQ level
Mode of study
Blended learning and workshops.
ECTS weighting
90
Award
CAO
Course code
1MGE1
Course Outline
Students will complete three core and three specialist modules in the first year (60 ECTS). Eligible students will then complete a research dissertation (30 ECTS) in the second year.
Curriculum Information
Curriculum information relates to the current academic year (in most cases).Course and module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Glossary of Terms
- Credits
- You must earn a defined number of credits (aka ECTS) to complete each year of your course. You do this by taking all of its required modules as well as the correct number of optional modules to obtain that year's total number of credits.
- Module
- An examinable portion of a subject or course, for which you attend lectures and/or tutorials and carry out assignments. E.g. Algebra and Calculus could be modules within the subject Mathematics. Each module has a unique module code eg. MA140.
- Optional
- A module you may choose to study.
- Required
- A module that you must study if you choose this course (or subject).
- Semester
- Most courses have 2 semesters (aka terms) per year.
Year 1 (60 Credits)
Required NU623: Clinical Governance: Supporting Safe Practice
NU623: Clinical Governance: Supporting Safe Practice
Semester 1 | Credits: 10
Errors are inevitable in healthcare systems (Commission on Patient Safety and Quality Assurance, 2008). It is estimated that medical errors would rank 5 in the top 10 causes of death in the United States, ahead of accidents, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease, if included on the National Centre for Health Statistics’ list (Joint Commission, 2005 p.7). In Ireland, the Commission on Patient Safety and Quality Assurance (2008) acknowledge that healthcare will never be risk free but argue that it is critical that the systems in place are as safe as possible, that the right ‘checks and balances’ are in place and that learning results from mistakes. To ensure this happens it is important that programmes prepare nurses to promote and enhance clinical safety. The module is guided by the National Patient Safety Framework (The Australian Council for Safety and Quality in Health Care, 2005) and the WHO Patient Safety Curriculum Guide for Medical Schools (World Health Organisation, 2009).
(Language of instruction: English)
Learning Outcomes
- Critique the concepts of ‘safety’ and ‘risk’ in context of their practice setting.
- Examine the concept of ‘clinical governance’ in the Irish healthcare system
- Identify and evaluate the factors that determine the quality and safety of healthcare from the perspective of (i) the nurse or midwife (ii) the client (iii) the multidisciplinary team and (iv) the wider healthcare system
- Identify local policies and procedures to improve clinical safety and apply safety principles in practice.
- Debate the tensions between ‘managing risk’ and ‘client autonomy
- Explore their role in promoting and enhancing safety as a member of the multidisciplinary team
- Complete a risk assessment relevant to their practice setting.
- Evaluate their contribution to quality improvement in their practice setting
Assessments
This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.
- Continuous Assessment (100%)
Module Director
- SYLVIA MCDONAGH: Research Profile | Email
Lecturers / Tutors
- EIMEAR BURKE: Research Profile
- FRANCES FARRELLY: Research Profile
- SINÉAD HAHESSY: Research Profile
- CATHERINE MEAGHER: Research Profile
- LORRAINE MEE: Research Profile
- MARI MORAN: Research Profile
- PHILOMENA NOONE: Research Profile
- CLAIRE O'TUATHAIL: Research Profile
- ROSEANNE RAFFERTY: Research Profile
- CLAIRE QUINN: Research Profile
- SYLVIA MCDONAGH: Research Profile
- MARION O'REGAN: Research Profile
- Linda Nà Chianáin: Research Profile
- MAIREAD HENEHAN: Research Profile
- DEIRDRE FITZGERALD: Research Profile
- Kay Harvey: Research Profile
- Derek O'Keeffe: Research Profile
- Peter Carr: Research Profile
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Required NU6439: Service Improvement
NU6439: Service Improvement
Semester 2 | Credits: 10
This module will allow the student the opportunity to plan and implement, with their manager, and an academic facilitator, a service improvement initiative. The project will focus on an issue of relevance to client care or service improvement and must be supported by the student’s line manager and/or clinical facilitator. Examples of the types of projects include: completion of a defined literature review supporting some aspect of unit work, preparation of a patient education leaflet (supported by an evidence based rationale presented separately), development of a patient education pack (supported by an evidence based rationale presented separately), development of a strategy to reduce waiting time, an initiative that will improve patient/staff safety, development/implementation of guidelines/policies, an initiative that improves the quality of patient services or the work environment, an initiative that saves time/money or any issue/problem/change that can be addressed through action. This work must be completed within a calendar year.
(Language of instruction: English)
Learning Outcomes
- Critically examine a practice issue and contribute to service improvement
- Integrate and apply learning from other modules
- Work collaboratively with peers and clients
- Become an autonomous and independent learner
- Develop the skills and knowledge needed to implement a change in clinical practice
- Develop their skills of analysis, critical thinking, problem-solving and reflection
Assessments
This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.
- Continuous Assessment (100%)
Module Director
- MAURA DOWLING: Research Profile | Email
Lecturers / Tutors
- YVONNE CONWAY: Research Profile
- SINÉAD HAHESSY: Research Profile
- CATHERINE MEAGHER: Research Profile
- LORRAINE MEE: Research Profile
- MARI MORAN: Research Profile
- PHILOMENA NOONE: Research Profile
- ROISIN MC CORMACK: Research Profile
- MARY ELIZABETH GANNON: Research Profile
- ROSEANNE RAFFERTY: Research Profile
- CLAIRE QUINN: Research Profile
- SYLVIA MCDONAGH: Research Profile
- MARION O'REGAN: Research Profile
- MAIREAD HENEHAN: Research Profile
- DEIRDRE FITZGERALD: Research Profile
- Kay Harvey: Research Profile
- Derek O'Keeffe: Research Profile
- Peter Carr: Research Profile
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Required NU921: Clinical Competence 1
NU921: Clinical Competence 1
Semester 1 | Credits: 0
Assessments
This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.
- Continuous Assessment (100%)
Module Director
Lecturers / Tutors
- YVONNE CONWAY: Research Profile
- MAURA DOWLING: Research Profile
- FRANCES FARRELLY: Research Profile
- SINÉAD HAHESSY: Research Profile
- ANDREW HUNTER: Research Profile
- BRONA MOONEY: Research Profile
- MARI MORAN: Research Profile
- CLAIRE QUINN: Research Profile
- MARION O'REGAN: Research Profile
- Derek O'Keeffe: Research Profile
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Required NU6102: Ageing & Older People: Biopsychosocial Perspecti
NU6102: Ageing & Older People: Biopsychosocial Perspecti
Semester 1 | Credits: 10
Assessments
This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.
- Continuous Assessment (50%)
- Department-based Assessment (50%)
Module Director
- SYLVIA MCDONAGH: Research Profile | Email
Lecturers / Tutors
- KAREN DOYLE: Research Profile
- PHILOMENA NOONE: Research Profile
- CLAIRE O'TUATHAIL: Research Profile
- MARY ELIZABETH GANNON: Research Profile
- Fiona Byrne: Research Profile
- MARION O'REGAN: Research Profile
- MAIREAD HENEHAN: Research Profile
- BRIAN MCDONAGH: Research Profile
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Required NU6103: Contemporary Issues in Gerontological Nursing
NU6103: Contemporary Issues in Gerontological Nursing
Semester 1 | Credits: 10
(Language of instruction: English)
Learning Outcomes
- Debate issues related to the professional development of gerontological nursing practice.
- Understand current and expanding clinical care pathways for older people.
- Gain an opportunity to expand and practice physical assessment skills.
- Understand the theoretical approaches to quality of life for older people.
- Have a critical awareness of issues related to quality of life for older people.
- Increase your knowledge and skills of mental health issues for older people.
- Explore the implications of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in the older person.
- Critically reflect on issues related to polypharmacy for older people.
Assessments
This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.
Module Director
- CATHERINE GERAGHTY: Research Profile | Email
Lecturers / Tutors
- YVONNE CONWAY: Research Profile
- ANDREW HUNTER: Research Profile
- JOHN KELLY: Research Profile
- PHILOMENA NOONE: Research Profile
- MARY ELIZABETH GANNON: Research Profile
- MARION O'REGAN: Research Profile
- MAIREAD HENEHAN: Research Profile
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Required NU634: Dementia Care: Transforming Practice
NU634: Dementia Care: Transforming Practice
Semester 2 | Credits: 10
This module will provide nurses with an advanced understanding of dementia. The overall aim of the module is to enable nurses to provide person-centred care to people with dementia and their carers enhancing their quality of life. This module has been developed using the latest evidence from the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). The module is relevant to those working in the community, acute and long-term care settings.
(Language of instruction: English)
Learning Outcomes
- Describe the demography, prevalence and incidence of dementia nationally and internationally.
- Describe the signs and symptoms of dementia and its common subtypes.
- Discuss the “cost” of dementia.
- Describe the screening and assessment processes required to diagnose dementia.
- Understand the lived experience of dementia from the person’s and carer’s perspective.
- Provide appropriate support and information to people with dementia and their carers.
- Explain the key theoretical approaches to understanding dementia (biological, social, psychological and psychosocial) in context of their implication for practice.
- Debate the meaning of “personhood” in dementia in context of its implications for practice.
- Analyse the concept of “person-centred care” and its application when caring for and with people with dementia.
- Plan and implement person centred care appropriate to the person and his/her needs.
- Distinguish between dementia, delirium and depression.
- Implement appropriate and individualised strategies to manage behaviours that challenge.
Assessments
This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.
- Continuous Assessment (100%)
Module Director
- ADELINE COONEY: Research Profile | Email
Lecturers / Tutors
- DYMPNA CASEY: Research Profile
- ANDREW HUNTER: Research Profile
- MARI MORAN: Research Profile
- MARY E. O'HARA: Research Profile
- FIONNUALA JORDAN: Research Profile
- MARION O'REGAN: Research Profile
- MAIREAD HENEHAN: Research Profile
- Duygu Sezgin: Research Profile
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Required NU502: Advanced Research Methods
NU502: Advanced Research Methods
Semester 2 | Credits: 10
This module focuses on developing further students understanding of the theoretical foundations of research, research methodologies and methods of data collection. The module has two major goals. Firstly, to provide students with the required knowledge and skills to interpret and implement research findings in their practice and secondly, to prepare students to undertake a piece of research. Students will be given an opportunity to recap on methodological approaches to quantitative and qualitative research. A key skill in promoting students independence is preparing students to complete their own research project under the supervision of a supervisor. Therefore, this module has a specific focus on providing students with the knowledge and skills of “doing” research.
(Language of instruction: English)
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate that they have an understanding of what ‘evidence’ is and how to ssystematically search for evidence
- Discuss theoretical perspectives on research methodology
- Explain clearly the origins, underpinning philosophical assumptions, key characteristics, strengths and weaknesses of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies
- Articulate a research problem and formulate a research question or hypothesis as appropriate to guide the conduct of the study
- Justify the use of appropriate data collection, sampling, and data analysis methods for qualitative and quantitative research
- Create a plan with clear rationales for data collection, sampling, data analysis and rigour to be used when conducting a qualitative or quantitative study
Assessments
This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.
- Continuous Assessment (100%)
Module Director
- GRÁINNE MORAHAN: Research Profile | Email
Lecturers / Tutors
- MIRIAM BRENNAN: Research Profile
- EIMEAR BURKE: Research Profile
- DYMPNA CASEY: Research Profile
- MAURA DOWLING: Research Profile
- FRANCES FARRELLY: Research Profile
- SINÉAD HAHESSY: Research Profile
- RENA LYONS: Research Profile
- BERNARD MCCARTHY: Research Profile
- CATHERINE MEAGHER: Research Profile
- BRONA MOONEY: Research Profile
- MARI MORAN: Research Profile
- CLAIRE O'TUATHAIL: Research Profile
- SIOBHÁIN SMYTH: Research Profile
- AMANDA WALSH: Research Profile
- GEORGINA GETHIN: Research Profile
- DECLAN DEVANE: Research Profile
- ROISIN MC CORMACK: Research Profile
- FIONNUALA JORDAN: Research Profile
- ROSEANNE RAFFERTY: Research Profile
- CLAIRE QUINN: Research Profile
- SYLVIA MCDONAGH: Research Profile
- MAIREAD HENEHAN: Research Profile
- Derek O'Keeffe: Research Profile
- Peter Carr: Research Profile
- Duygu Sezgin: Research Profile
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Required NU922: Clinical Competence 2
NU922: Clinical Competence 2
Semester 2 | Credits: 0
Assessments
This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.
- Continuous Assessment (100%)
Module Director
Lecturers / Tutors
- YVONNE CONWAY: Research Profile
- MAURA DOWLING: Research Profile
- FRANCES FARRELLY: Research Profile
- ANDREW HUNTER: Research Profile
- BRONA MOONEY: Research Profile
- MARI MORAN: Research Profile
- PHILOMENA NOONE: Research Profile
- MARY ELIZABETH GANNON: Research Profile
- CLAIRE QUINN: Research Profile
- SYLVIA MCDONAGH: Research Profile
- MARION O'REGAN: Research Profile
- MAIREAD HENEHAN: Research Profile
- Kay Harvey: Research Profile
- Derek O'Keeffe: Research Profile
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Year 2 (30 Credits)
Required NU6515: Research Dissertation
NU6515: Research Dissertation
Semester 1 and Semester 2 | Credits: 30
Students will be required to undertake a piece of primary research on a topic of relevance to their specialism. Students will be assigned a research supervisor who will support them in undertaking this work
(Language of instruction: English)
Learning Outcomes
- Developed a research question of significance to their specialist nursing practice.
- Identify the appropriate methodology to suit the research question and/or hypothesis
- Demonstrate knowledge of ethical requirements within the study
- Demonstrate the ability to review and analyse relevant literature
- Identify the most appropriate method for data collection to answer the research question
- Demonstrate the ability to draw a significant and meaningful conclusion from the data analysis
- Prepare a scholarly report, which will demonstrate accurate expression, analysis and synthesis of ideas
Assessments
This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.
- Continuous Assessment (100%)
Module Director
- SYLVIA MCDONAGH: Research Profile | Email
Lecturers / Tutors
- GLORIA AVALOS: Research Profile
- MIRIAM BRENNAN: Research Profile
- EIMEAR BURKE: Research Profile
- DYMPNA CASEY: Research Profile
- YVONNE CONWAY: Research Profile
- MAURA DOWLING: Research Profile
- ANNE FALLON: Research Profile
- FRANCES FARRELLY: Research Profile
- SINÉAD HAHESSY: Research Profile
- ANDREW HUNTER: Research Profile
- BERNARD MCCARTHY: Research Profile
- CATHERINE MEAGHER: Research Profile
- TERESA MEANEY: Research Profile
- LORRAINE MEE: Research Profile
- BRONA MOONEY: Research Profile
- MARI MORAN: Research Profile
- PHILOMENA NOONE: Research Profile
- MARY E. O'HARA: Research Profile
- SIOBHÁIN SMYTH: Research Profile
- GEORGINA GETHIN: Research Profile
- DECLAN DEVANE: Research Profile
- ROISIN MC CORMACK: Research Profile
- MARY ELIZABETH GANNON: Research Profile
- FIONNUALA JORDAN: Research Profile
- CATHERINE HOUGHTON: Research Profile
- SYLVIA MCDONAGH: Research Profile
- MARION O'REGAN: Research Profile
- Derek O'Keeffe: Research Profile
- Peter Carr: Research Profile
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Why Choose This Course?
Career Opportunities
Graduates have found employment and promotion opportunities nationally and internationally.
Who’s Suited to This Course
Learning Outcomes
Work Placement
Study Abroad
Related Student Organisations
Course Fees
Fees: EU
Fees: Tuition
Fees: Student levy
Fees: Non EU
Find out More
Phil Noone
T: +353 91 492 831
E: phil.noone@nuigalway.ie
www.nuigalway.ie/nursing.midwifery/