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

The Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing (Oncology) is designed for registered nurses who wish to pursue a specialism in Oncological 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 and three clinical assessments. 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.

Students are required to complete a minimum of 1,000 clinical hours over the duration of the programme.

Special Features

The course is approved by An Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann 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.

Module 

• Clinical Governance: Supporting safe practice (core) 
• Using research in practice (core)  
• Experiencing Cancer (Specialist) 
• The Cancer Trajectory (Specialist) 
• Cancer Management: the Nursing Perspective on a Treatment Journey (Specialist) 
• Option Module* 
• Service Improvement Module (core) 
• Clinical Assessment 1 
• Clinical Assessment 2 
• Clinical Assessment 3

*Students may select one of the following optional modules:

• Living with cancer of the lower urinary tract 
• Clinical Facilitation 
• Collaboration and Interagency Working 
• End-Of-Life Care: Psychological and social perspectives  
• Advanced Wound Care Management 
• Empowering Clients to Self-Manage Chronic Diseases

Please note that the programme and optional modules offered are subject to sufficient student numbers.