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Nursing: Wound Healing and Tissue Repair (PDip)

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Course Overview

This programme aims to prepare healthcare professionals to effectively manage (within their scope of practice) challenging wound healing and tissue repair issues. The goal is to provide experienced, dedicated healthcare professionals with the necessary knowledge and skills in wound healing and tissue repair to ensure the highest quality of care for patients. Lecturers and facilitators on this course are recognised for their expertise nationally and internationally through research, education and clinical practice.

Unique features of this programme include the multidisciplinary approach. It is the first Level 9 course in skills development and competency in compression therapy and Doppler technique. The lecturers are internationally recognised for their expertise in this field.

Applications and Selections

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

Who Teaches this Course

Programme director: 
Lorraine Mee

Lecturers from within NUI Galway include:

  • Dr Georgina Gethin
  • Dr Maura Dowling
  • Mr Bernard McCarthy
  • Ms Sinead Hahessy
  • Prof. John Kelly (Pharmacology and Therapeutics)
  • Prof. Caroline McIntosh (Podiatry)
  • Dr Claire MacGilchrist (Podiatry) 

Lecturers and Facilitators from outside NUI Galway include:

  • Ms Mary Burke, Clinical Educator
  • Ms Marion Cahill-Collins, ANP Vascular
  • Ms Tina Clarke Podiatrist
  • Mr Wael Tawfick Consultant Vascular Surgeon
  • Ms Fiona Willis, Nursing Practice Co-Ordinator

Requirements and Assessment

Assessment methods vary according to the specific module and may include: written assignments, e-tivities, blogs and OSCEs.

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

  • Hold an Honours Bachelor Degree at NFQ Level 8 in a healthcare profession. Applicants who do not hold an honours degree or higher diploma may apply should contact the programme director for further details. 
  • Hold current registration with their relevant governing body, for example NMBI, CORU, IMC.
  • Be currently employed in healthcare.
  • Provide written evidence of support from the Director of Nursing/Manager  for the duration of the programme.
  • Have a minimum of six months' clinical experience in an appropriate setting since qualification.

Additional Requirements

Duration

Postgraduate Diploma: 1 year full-time
Masters: 2 years full-time (if eligible for second year following Postgraduate Diploma)

Next start date

September 2018

A Level Grades ()

Average intake

10

Closing Date

Please refer to the review/closing date website.

NFQ level

9

Mode of study

Blended learning and workshops.

ECTS weighting

90

Award

CAO

Course code

GYM71

Course Outline

Using a blended learning approach, this programme will be delivered through a combination of online learning and face-to-face skills teaching. Modules are delivered using guided learning packs that provide a study guide, directed learning activities (both online and practice based), key reading, reflective points and e-tivities.

Students will be supported online as they work through each unit, using the virtual learning environment BlackBoard Collaborate. Students will be expected to engage in blogs, to respond to posted questions or activities and to complete e-titivies. The face-to-face teaching component (workshops) will take place at intervals throughout the semester. Workshops will focus on key skills and application.

Modules:

Students will complete 3 core and 3 specialist modules in the 1st year (60 ECTS). Eligible students will then complete a research dissertation (30 ECTS) in the second year.

Core modules: Advanced Research Methods; Clinical Governance—Supporting Safe Practice; Service Improvement

Specialist modules: Management of Venous Leg Ulceration; Management of Diabetic Foot Disease; Advanced Wound Care Management or Vascular Disease

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 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%)
Teachers
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 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%)
Teachers
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 NU6104: Management of venous leg ulceration


Semester 1 | Credits: 10

This module aims to give participants opportunities to explore the topic of venous leg ulceration in-depth and to enable critical practice in this specialised area of care. The demands of wound care and prevention require comprehensive and detailed analysis of the physiological and psychosocial components of the patient experience along with technical and practical skills to perform holistic assessment and to provide safe and effective treatment based upon current evidence.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. • Develop a critical understanding of the physiology of wound healing and analyse in-depth factors which affect healing. • Critically evaluate the process of holistic assessment and appraise tools and strategies which will facilitate this. • Critically explore and evaluate the current evidence base for the care and management of clients with venous leg ulcers and be able to predict likely outcomes of treatment based on such evidence. • Demonstrate competency in the application of compression therapy. • Demonstrate competency in the recording of Ankle Bracial Pressure Index. • Reflect critically upon current developments in health and social policy and legislation which impact upon woun
Assessments
  • Department-based Assessment (100%)
Teachers
Reading List
  1. "Wound care at a glance" by Peate, Ian; Glencross, Wyn
    ISBN: 9781118684672.
    Publisher: Wiley Blackwell
  2. "Leg ulcers" by Christine Moffatt, Peter Harper
    ISBN: 0443055335.
    Publisher: Churchill Livingstone
  3. "Acute and Chronic Wounds: Current Management Concepts" by Ruth Bryant RN MS CWOCN, Denise Nix RN MS CWOCN
    ISBN: 9780323069434.
    Publisher: Mosby
  4. "Lower extremity wounds" by edited by Karen Ousey and Caroline McIntosh
    ISBN: 9780470059081.
    Publisher: Chichester, England ; John Wiley, c2008.
The above information outlines module NU6104: "Management of venous leg ulceration" and is valid from 2017 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%)
Teachers
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 PO5101: Management of Diabetic Foot Disease


Semester 2 | Credits: 10

The management of diabetic foot disease requires a multi-disciplinary approach, expert knowledge and a dedication to service provision and service development underpinned by evidence based practice approach. The increasing pace of change and complexity in management of diabetic foot disease has shaped the design of this module. The focus is to ensure students have the capacity to remain current and are capable of updating themselves on new interventions and approaches to the prevention and management of diabetic foot disease. The goal is to teach for life-long learning. Therefore, the module has been carefully designed in stages (see Stages 1- 5) which build on one another with the aim of ensuring that students have a thorough understanding of and in-depth knowledge of the principles of prevention and management, and how these can be applied to diabetic foot disease. Clinical care will be considered in the context of multi-professional management which will involve an appreciation of National and International Guidelines in addition to a range of strategic healthcare polices and initiatives. Students will develop critical reasoning techniques and problem solving skills which will be verified by evaluation of evidence to enable sound judgements to be reached and effective multi-professional communication to take place. These themes will be developed with particular relevance to the student’s work setting.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Critically analyse research and evidence underpinning the multi-professional management of manifestations of diabetes in the lower limb and foot
  2. Appraise relevant policy and position documents relating to management of diabetes in the lower limb and foot
  3. Formulate problem solving strategies that relate to assessment, diagnosis and treatment strategies for people with diabetes.
  4. Evaluative and explore areas of uncertainty, ambiguity, limitations of knowledge and current innovations in managing people with diabetes.
Assessments
  • Continuous Assessment (100%)
Teachers
The above information outlines module PO5101: "Management of Diabetic Foot Disease" and is valid from 2015 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Optional NU438: Advanced Wound Care Management


Semester 2 | Credits: 10

This module aims to give course members opportunities to explore the subject of wound management in-depth to enable critical practice in this specialised area of care. The demands of wound care and prevention require comprehensive and detailed analysis of the physiological and psychosocial components of the patient experience along with technical and practical skills to perform holistic assessment and to provide safe and effective treatment based upon current evidence.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Learning Outcomes • Develop a critical understanding of the physiology of healing and analyse in depth factors which affect healing • Evaluate critically the process of holistic assessment and appraise tools and strategies which will facilitate this • Examine critically and evaluate the evidence base for the care and management of clients with acute and chronic wounds and be able to predict likely outcomes of treatment based on such evidence • Reflect critically upon current developments in health and social policy and legislation which impact upon wound care and prevention and resource allocation. • Debate the ethical and legal issues influencing clinical decision making relat
Assessments
  • Continuous Assessment (100%)
Teachers
Reading List
  1. "Acute and Chronic Wounds: Current Management Concepts" by Ruth Bryant RN MS CWOCN, Denise Nix RN MS CWOCN
    ISBN: 9780323069434.
    Publisher: Mosby
  2. "Lower extremity wounds" by edited by Karen Ousey and Caroline McIntosh
    ISBN: 9780470059081.
    Publisher: Chichester, England ; John Wiley, c2008.
  3. "The practice of nursing research" by Nancy Burns, Susan K. Grove
    ISBN: 0721691773.
    Publisher: Philadelphia ; Saunders, c2001.
  4. "Oxford textbook of palliative medicine" by edited by Nathan I. Cherny, Marie T. Fallon, Stein Kaasa, Russell K. Portenoy, David C. Currow.
    ISBN: 9780199656097.
    Publisher: Oxford [Oxfordshire]; Oxford University Press
The above information outlines module NU438: "Advanced Wound Care Management" and is valid from 2017 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Optional PO5102: Vascular Disease


Semester 2 | Credits: 10

This level 9 module has been developed as a collaborative initiative between the Vascular Team, Saolta University HealthCare Group, the Discipline of Podiatric Medicine and the School of Nursing and Midwifery at NUI Galway. The management of patients with disease requires a multidisciplinary approach, expert knowledge and a dedication to service provision and service development underpinned by evidence-based practice. Being cognisant of this the module will be delivered by a team of experts in vascular diseases from a range of specialities including vascular, medicine, podiatry, nursing, and primary care experts. The focus of the module is to ensure that the student has the capacity to remain current and is capable of updating themselves on new interventions and approaches to the prevention and management of vascular diseases. The goal is to facilitate life-long learning. Therefore, the module has been carefully designed with the aim of ensuring that students have a thorough understanding of, and in-depth knowledge of the principles of prevention and management, and how these can be applied to vascular disease. Clinical care will be considered in the context of multi-professional management which will involve an appreciation of National and International Guidelines in addition to a range of strategic healthcare polices and initiatives. Students will develop critical reasoning techniques and problem solving skills, which will be verified by evaluation of evidence to enable sound judgements to be reached and effective multi-professional communication to take place. These themes will be developed with particular relevance to the student’s work setting.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Critically analyse research and evidence underpinning the assessment and management of vascular diseases.
  2. Interpret and differentiate signs and symptoms of vascular diseases as they manifest.
  3. Effectively utilise a range of vascular assessment skills and communicate their findings
  4. Formulate problem-solving strategies that relate to assessment, diagnosis and management options for people with vascular disease.
  5. Evaluative and explore areas of uncertainty, ambiguity, limitations of knowledge and current innovations in managing people with vascular disease.
Assessments
  • Continuous Assessment (100%)
Teachers
Reading List
  1. "Aiyagari, V. Gorelick,Hypertension and Stroke: Pathophysiology and Management (Clinical Hypertension and Vascular Diseases)," by Aiyagari, V. Gorelick, PB
    ISBN: 10: 331929150.
    Publisher: Human Press
  2. "Dx/Rx: Peripheral Vascular Disease" by Alvaro Alonso, Daniel D. McManus, Daniel Z. Fisher
    ISBN: 0763755389.
    Publisher: Jones & Bartlett Publishers
  3. "Handbook of Interventions for Structural Heart and Peripheral Vascular Disease" by Khanna, NN. Henry, M
    ISBN: 9351529908.
    Publisher: Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers
  4. "Peripheral Vascular Disease in Primary Care (Chronic Diseases in Primary Care)." by Sharma, A.
    ISBN: 1846194350.
    Publisher: CRC Press
The above information outlines module PO5102: "Vascular Disease" and is valid from 2017 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%)
Teachers
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

Students graduating from this programme will be able to enhance their clinical skills and knowledge in the area of wound healing and tissue repair. As wound management crosses many disciplines, the career path will vary according to the discipline. In the field of nursing, this programme will support nurses’ application for the role of Clinical Nurse Specialist in Tissue Viability (but does not guarantee that such an appointment will be made).

Who’s Suited to This Course

Learning Outcomes

 

Work Placement

Study Abroad

Related Student Organisations

Course Fees

Fees: EU

€6,500 p.a. (Yr 1) & €3,250 (Yr 2) 2018/19

Fees: Tuition

€6,276 p.a. 2018/19

Fees: Student levy

€224 p.a. 2018/19

Fees: Non EU

€14,750 p.a. 2018/19
 EU fees Year 1:  €6,500 and Year 2:  €3,250.

Find out More

Lorraine Mee
T: +353 91 492 830
E: lorraine.mee@nuigalway.ie

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