Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing (Public Health Nursing)

College of Medicine, Nursing, & Health Sciences

Course description
Why choose this course?

This programme is offered by the School of Nursing and Midwifery, NUI Galway and the Health Service Executive.

The programme aims to prepare nurses to work in the community setting as a public health nurse addressing the health care needs of the community as client. The experience of health is both socially and culturally determined with the achievement of maximum health potential influenced by the wider determinants of health. The Public Health Nurse has a unique role in recognising the wider realms of what impacts and determines community health and in facilitating maximum health potential. A key fundamental part of this programme is the development of nursing expertise in targeting public health needs and delivering health care services from a population health foci. The programme is offered on a full time basis and its overall aim is to prepare the nurse to practice effectively as a primary care team member in meeting the challenges of care in the community setting.

Entry requirements

Before admission to the programme of education and training leading to registration in the Public Health Nurse division of the register maintained by An Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann the candidate must: Be a registered nurse on the general division of the register maintained by An Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann or entitled to be so registered. Candidates must have evidence of a minimum of two years general nursing experience within the past five years, of which 12 months should be consecutive, working a minimum of 74 hours per month (exclusive of post registration/educational courses). Unless the candidate's name is registered in the midwives division of the register maintained by An Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann, the candidate must complete an An Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann (2005) approved module of study on Child and Maternal Health as part of the programme. Hold an NQAI level 8 qualification (honours degree or higher diploma) or proof of equivalency. Fluency in English or evidence of level 7.0 as per IELTS academic test.

Duration: 1 year, full-time

Next start date: September 2014

ECTS weighting: 90

Average intake: 20

Closing date: 30 May 2014 for completed application and supporting documentation.

Mode of study: Taught

Programme content (subject to change)

Modules:

Collaboration and Interagency Working
Using Research in Practice
Promoting Health and Well-being
Health Across the Lifespan
Promoting Population Health
Public Health Nursing Praxis-Clinical Practice and Management
Child and Maternal Health (non-midwives only)
Service Improvement A (non-midwife cohort)
Service Improvement (midwife-cohort)
Professional Practice 1
Professional Practice 2
Professional Practice 3
Professional Practice 4
Professional Practice 5
Professional Practice 1 (Child and Maternal Health) (non-midwives only)

Applications are made online via The Postgraduate Applications Centre(PAC). Relevant PAC application code(s) above.

Applicants must satisfy the selection/admission committee that they have the ability to complete the programme.

Applicants must demonstrate that they have undertaken a programme of study at National Qualification Framework, academic level 8. The academic transcript provided will be used as evidence to demonstrate this, which should be for the highest level award.

If you do not hold a Level 8 qualification (honours degree or higher diploma) or you are unsure if your academic qualification is at level 8 or equivalent, see http://www.nqai.ie/, you must complete and submit an Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) Document. Proof of equivalency applies to candidates who do not have an NQAI level 8 qualification (honours degree or higher diploma), and are therefore required to complete the APEL document, which will be judged for both academic equivalency and capacity to undertake the programme.

Successful candidates must have secured sponsorship from the Health Service Executive prior to commencement on the programme.

Confirmation of placement on the programme is subject to the candidate providing evidence of guarantee of clinical placement for the duration of the programme Note: by provision of a copy of the HSE student Public Health Nurse contract following confirmation of sponsorship.

Staff within the School of Nursing and Midwifery, NUI Galway:

Dr Adeline Cooney
Dr Dympna Casey
Ms Lorraine Mee
Ms Sinead Hahessy
Ms Eimear Burke
Ms Deirdre Vanderputten
Ms Teresa Meaney
Ms Ann Fallon
Ms Marcella Kelly

External expert speakers also contribute to programme content.

NUI Galway

Marcella Kelly
T 353 91 495 036
E marcella.kelly@nuigalway.ie
www.nuigalway.ie/nursing.midwifery/

HSE Recruitment Enquiries

HSE National Recruitment Service
E recruitment.phnsponsorship@hse.ie
http://www.hse.ie/eng/staff/Jobs