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Nursing: Public Health Nursing (PDip/Master in Health Sciences)

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Course Overview

The Postgraduate Diploma/Masters in Health Sciences (Public Health Nursing) is run over two academic years. Candidates registering for this programme will complete the postgraduate diploma in health sciences (Public Health Nursing) in year one and upon successful completion can register with the NMBI as a public health nurse. To successfully complete the postgraduate diploma students must complete modules totalling 60 ECTS. Year One of this programme is offered by the School of Nursing and Midwifery, NUI Galway, and the Health Service Executive.

Students may opt to progress on to the Master of Health Sciences (Public Health Nursing) totalling 30 ECTS in Year Two. Entry to the Master’s programme is subject to the student achieving 60% on the aggregate of the Postgraduate Diploma modules undertaken in Year One.

Students who are eligible for the award of Postgraduate Diploma may progress to undertake the MHSc within four years of first entering the programme. Year Two of this programme is offered by the School of Nursing and Midwifery, NUI Galway, and is not sponsored by the Health Service Executive.

Applications and Selections

Applications are made online via The Postgraduate Applications Centre (PAC). 

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.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Please see the following link for important information regarding the application and recruitment policy:  http://www.hse.ie/eng/staff/Jobs/Job_Search/Nursing/PHNSponsorship/

Who Teaches this Course

Staff within the School of Nursing and Midwifery, NUI Galway:
  • Ms Claire Quinn (Programme Director)
  • Dr Marcella Kelly (Programme Director)
  • Dr Linda Biesty
  • Ms Eimear Burke 
  • Ms Ann Fallon 
  • Ms Sinead Hahessy 
  • Ms Teresa Meaney 
  • Ms Lorraine Mee 
  • Mr Bernard McCarthy
  • Ms Deirdre Vanderputten 

External expert speakers also contribute to programme content.

Requirements and Assessment

Modules are assessed using a combination of coursework and examinations.

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

All applicants must meet the following entry requirements:

  • Be registered in the General Division of the Register of Nurses maintained by Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) .
  • Candidates must be a registered general nurse(RGN) and have a minimum of 3 years post-registration experience as an RGN within the past 7 years, working 39 hours per week*, or its equivalence within the last 7 years if working less hours. * Please see HSE application for specific criteria re experiential eligibility, available at the following link  http://www.hse.ie/eng/staff/Jobs/Job_Search/Nursing/PHNSponsorship/
  • Unless the candidate’s name is registered in the Midwives division of the Register maintained by Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI), the candidate must complete an Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) (2005) approved module of study on Child and Maternal Health as part of the programme;
  • Fluency in English or evidence of Level 7.0 as per the IELTS academic test. Applicants must satisfy the selection/ admission committee that they have the ability to complete the programme;
  • Hold an NQAI Level 8 qualification (honours degree or higher diploma) or proof of equivalency;
  • 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, and it should be for the highest level award;
  • To be eligible for the award of the Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing (Public Health Nursing), candidates must meet in full the requirements for registration specified by the Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).

Top Up: (PAC code: GYM83)

Applicants who have completed a specialist nursing PGDip and who have attained at least 60%  in their final mark are eligible to apply for year two of our specialist masters programmes via the link below.  Please contact the programme leader directly to discuss your eligibility (additional requirements may apply).


Additional Requirements

Duration

1 year, full-time (for Year One of programme)
1 year, full-time (for Year Two of programme)

Next start date

September 2017

A Level Grades ()

Average intake

10 (minimum)

Closing Date

TBC

Next start date

September 2017

NFQ level

Mode of study

Taught and blended learning.

ECTS weighting

60 (PDip—Year One), 30 (MHSc—Year Two)

Award

CAO

PAC code

PHG01- Full time
GYM83- Top up

Course Outline

PROGRAMME CONTENT (subject to change)

Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (Public Health Nursing)—Year One

 The Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (Public Health Nursing), totalling 60 ECTS is delivered in Year One, over an academic year.  The theoretical component of the programme is comprised of six modules (if a registered midwife) and seven modules (if not a registered midwife). Students will complete two clinical practicum competency assessments within the community setting comprising of Practicum One (1, 2 and 3 professional assessments) and Practicum Two (4 and 5 professional assessments). For students who are not registered midwives one clinical skills assessment in the maternity unit is also undertaken.

Modules (Year One):

  • Clinical Governance—Supporting Safe practice  
  • Advanced Research Methods
  • Service Improvement A  (non-midwife cohort)  
  • Service Improvement B  (midwife-cohort)  
  • Promoting Population  Health Across the Lifespan
  • Essential Physical Assessment Skills
  • Child Health Surveillance, Welfare and Protection
  • Child and Maternal Health (non-midwives only) 
  • Practicum One (Professional Practice 1 , 2,3)
  • Practicum Two  (Professional Practice 4, 5)
  • Practicum One (Child and Maternal ) (Non midwives only)

Master of Health Sciences (Public Health Nursing)—Year Two

On successful completion of the postgraduate diploma in health sciences (public health nursing) you can opt to undertake the Master of Health Sciences (Public Health Nursing). Entry to the Master of Health Sciences (Public Health Nursing) programme is subject to you achieving 60% on the aggregate of the Postgraduate Diploma modules. In Year 2 you complete a research dissertation (30 ECTS) on a topic of relevance to public health nursing.

Note: Year Two of this programme is not sponsored by the Health Service Executive.

Why Choose This Course?

Career Opportunities

As a graduate, you will have the opportunity to practise autonomously within a community setting. You will have developed a specific knowledge that will enable you, as a community practitioner, to provide primary healthcare and target public health issues in the community.

Who’s Suited to This Course

Learning Outcomes

 

Work Placement

Study Abroad

Related Student Organisations

Course Fees

Fees: EU

€8,180 p.a. 2017/18

Fees: Tuition

€7,956 p.a. 2017/18

Fees: Student levy

€224 p.a. 2017/18

Fees: Non EU

€
1 year, full-time (for Year One of programme):  EU fee €8,180.
1 year, full-time (for Year Two of programme): EU fee €4,090.

Find out More

NUI Galway

Dr. Marcella Kelly
T 353 91 495 036 (available Wed pm, Thursday, Friday)
E marcella.kelly@nuigalway.ie
www.nuigalway.ie/nursing.midwifery/

Ms. Claire Quinn

T 353 91 493580 (available Monday, Tuesday and Wed am)
E claire.quinn@nuigalway.ie
www.nuigalway.ie/nursing.midwifery/

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

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