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Nursing: Gerontology (MHSc/PDip, full-time and top up)

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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.

Top up: 
Applicants who have completed a specialist nursing PGDip in NUI Galway and who have attained at least 60%  in their final mark are eligible to apply for year two of our specialist masters programmes via www.nuigalway.ie/postgraduateapplications.  Please contact the programme leader directly to discuss your eligibility (additional requirements may apply).

Scholarships available
Find out about our Postgraduate Scholarships here.

Applications and Selections

Applications are made online via the NUI Galway Postgraduate Applications System. 

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

  1. 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;
  2. 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;
  3. Provide written evidence of support from their Director of Nursing for the duration of the programme;
  4. 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.

Top up: 
Applicants who have completed a specialist nursing PGDip in NUI Galway and who have attained at least 60%  in their final mark are eligible to apply for year two of our specialist masters programmes via www.nuigalway.ie/postgraduateapplications.  Please contact the programme leader directly to discuss your eligibility (additional requirements may apply).


Additional Requirements

Duration

2 years full-time (option to leave with PDip after 1 year)

Next start date

September 2020

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—full-time; 1MGE3—top up

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.

Modules

  • Service Improvement (10 credits—core) 
  • Clinical Governance: Supporting Safe Practice (10 credits—core) 
  • Advanced Research Methods (10 credits—core) 
  • Clinical Competency 1 
  • Clinical Competency 2 
  • Contemporary Issues in Gerontological Nursing  (10 credits—specialist)
  • Ageing and Older People: Biopsychosocial  Perspectives (10 credits—specialist)
  • Dementia Care: Transforming Practice  (10 credits—specialist)

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


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
  1. Critique the concepts of ‘safety’ and ‘risk’ in context of their practice setting.
  2. Examine the concept of ‘clinical governance’ in the Irish healthcare system
  3. 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
  4. Identify local policies and procedures to improve clinical safety and apply safety principles in practice.
  5. Debate the tensions between ‘managing risk’ and ‘client autonomy
  6. Explore their role in promoting and enhancing safety as a member of the multidisciplinary team
  7. Complete a risk assessment relevant to their practice setting.
  8. Evaluate their contribution to quality improvement in their practice setting
Assessments
  • Continuous Assessment (100%)
Module Director
Lecturers / Tutors
The above information outlines module NU623: "Clinical Governance: Supporting Safe Practice" and is valid from 2018 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Required 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
  1. Critically examine a practice issue and contribute to service improvement
  2. Integrate and apply learning from other modules
  3. Work collaboratively with peers and clients
  4. Become an autonomous and independent learner
  5. Develop the skills and knowledge needed to implement a change in clinical practice
  6. Develop their skills of analysis, critical thinking, problem-solving and reflection
Assessments
  • Continuous Assessment (100%)
Module Director
Lecturers / Tutors
The above information outlines module NU6439: "Service Improvement" and is valid from 2018 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Required NU921: Clinical Competence 1


Semester 1 | Credits: 0

Assessments
  • Continuous Assessment (100%)
Module Director
Lecturers / Tutors
The above information outlines module NU921: "Clinical Competence 1" and is valid from 2014 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Required NU6102: Ageing & Older People: Biopsychosocial Perspecti


Semester 1 | Credits: 10

Assessments
  • Continuous Assessment (50%)
  • Department-based Assessment (50%)
Module Director
Lecturers / Tutors
The above information outlines module NU6102: "Ageing & Older People: Biopsychosocial Perspecti" and is valid from 2019 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Required NU6103: Contemporary Issues in Gerontological Nursing


Semester 1 | Credits: 10


(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Debate issues related to the professional development of gerontological nursing practice.
  2. Understand current and expanding clinical care pathways for older people.
  3. Gain an opportunity to expand and practice physical assessment skills.
  4. Understand the theoretical approaches to quality of life for older people.
  5. Have a critical awareness of issues related to quality of life for older people.
  6. Increase your knowledge and skills of mental health issues for older people.
  7. Explore the implications of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in the older person.
  8. Critically reflect on issues related to polypharmacy for older people.
Assessments
    Module Director
    Lecturers / Tutors
    The above information outlines module NU6103: "Contemporary Issues in Gerontological Nursing" and is valid from 2016 onwards.
    Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

    Required 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
    1. Describe the demography, prevalence and incidence of dementia nationally and internationally.
    2. Describe the signs and symptoms of dementia and its common subtypes.
    3. Discuss the “cost” of dementia.
    4. Describe the screening and assessment processes required to diagnose dementia.
    5. Understand the lived experience of dementia from the person’s and carer’s perspective.
    6. Provide appropriate support and information to people with dementia and their carers.
    7. Explain the key theoretical approaches to understanding dementia (biological, social, psychological and psychosocial) in context of their implication for practice.
    8. Debate the meaning of “personhood” in dementia in context of its implications for practice.
    9. Analyse the concept of “person-centred care” and its application when caring for and with people with dementia.
    10. Plan and implement person centred care appropriate to the person and his/her needs.
    11. Distinguish between dementia, delirium and depression.
    12. Implement appropriate and individualised strategies to manage behaviours that challenge.
    Assessments
    • Continuous Assessment (100%)
    Module Director
    Lecturers / Tutors
    The above information outlines module NU634: "Dementia Care: Transforming Practice" and is valid from 2015 onwards.
    Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

    Required 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
    1. Demonstrate that they have an understanding of what ‘evidence’ is and how to ssystematically search for evidence
    2. Discuss theoretical perspectives on research methodology
    3. Explain clearly the origins, underpinning philosophical assumptions, key characteristics, strengths and weaknesses of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies
    4. Articulate a research problem and formulate a research question or hypothesis as appropriate to guide the conduct of the study
    5. Justify the use of appropriate data collection, sampling, and data analysis methods for qualitative and quantitative research
    6. 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
    • Continuous Assessment (100%)
    Module Director
    Lecturers / Tutors
    The above information outlines module NU502: "Advanced Research Methods" and is valid from 2017 onwards.
    Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

    Required NU922: Clinical Competence 2


    Semester 2 | Credits: 0

    Assessments
    • Continuous Assessment (100%)
    Module Director
    Lecturers / Tutors
    The above information outlines module NU922: "Clinical Competence 2" and is valid from 2014 onwards.
    Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

    Year 2 (30 Credits)

    Required 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
    1. Developed a research question of significance to their specialist nursing practice.
    2. Identify the appropriate methodology to suit the research question and/or hypothesis
    3. Demonstrate knowledge of ethical requirements within the study
    4. Demonstrate the ability to review and analyse relevant literature
    5. Identify the most appropriate method for data collection to answer the research question
    6. Demonstrate the ability to draw a significant and meaningful conclusion from the data analysis
    7. Prepare a scholarly report, which will demonstrate accurate expression, analysis and synthesis of ideas
    Assessments
    • Continuous Assessment (100%)
    Module Director
    Lecturers / Tutors
    The above information outlines module NU6515: "Research Dissertation" and is valid from 2016 onwards.
    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

    €6,700 (Yr1) & €3,350(Yr 2) 2020/21

    Fees: Tuition

    €6,476 p.a. 2020/21

    Fees: Student levy

    €224 p.a. 2020/21

    Fees: Non EU

    €15,200 p.a. 2020/21

     EU Fees year 1: €6,500 and Year 2: €3,350.

    Find out More

    Phil Noone
    T +353 91 492831
    Email : phil. noone@nuigalway.ie
    www.nuigalway.ie/nursing.midwifery/

    Mary Gannon 
    T +353 91 495843
    Email : mary.e.gannon@nuigalway.ie
    www.nuigalway.ie/nursing.midwifery/

    Downloads

    • Postgraduate Taught Prospectus 2020

      Postgraduate Taught Prospectus 2020 PDF (21 MB)