Program Overview

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National Foundation Module in Critical Care Nursing NU5098

Course Fact File

Code	NU5098
Duration	26-Weeks Duration, with intakes both Semester I & II 2025/2026
Teaching Mode	Part-Time. See Additional Teaching Mode Information for more info.
Fees	€1,000 See Fees and Costs for full details.
Closing Date	15th August 2025 for Semester 1 - Semester 2 will open for application then
Course Delivery Method	Online
Venue	School of Nursing and Midwifery, Brookfield Health Sciences, Univesity College Cork.
Credits	10
Start Date	Sem 1 - 15th September 2025 Sem 2 - 9th Feb 2026

Outline

Learning Outcomes: On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of normal anatomy and physiology and its application to disordered function.
• Critically evaluate and apply available knowledge to guide the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of evidence based nursing care.
• Perform and review a comprehensive and systematic assessment of a critically ill patient using an appropriate framework.
• Interpret and critically examine assessment results and data using supportive research to determine normal values and underlying pathophysiology for critically ill patients.
• Evaluate clinical significance and nursing implications of assessment data.
• Demonstrate and maintain therapeutic and professional relationships by delivering systematic and comprehensive patient care.
• Integrate research and reflection into clinical practice.
• Promote continuity of care by contributing to multidisciplinary collaboration across the health care continuum.

The online theoretical module consists of six units of study.

• Unit 1: Care of the patient with altered respiratory function.
• Unit 2. Care of the patient with altered cardiovascular function
• Unit 3: Care of the patient with altered renal function and fluids & electrolyte balance.
• Unit 4: Care of the patient with altered gastrointestinal and endocrine function.
• Unit 5: Care of the patient with altered neurological function.
• Unit 6: Care of the patient with multisystem Disorders.

Individual units will be made available to students on a fortnightly basis, and each unit will require approximately 4 hours to complete with opportunities for application, assessment and decision making. Students will be able to check their understanding with formative clinical case study reviews, formative online quizzes and summative clinical case study assignment and MCQ examination.

Additional Teaching Mode Information

Module Co-Ordinator: Dr. Sean Joseph Kelleher, School of Nursing & Midwifery.

Lecturer(s): Staff, School of Nursing & Midwifery.

This module is delivered on-line/blended via on campus/clinical site workshops and lectures.

Schedule for both intakes available below - Dates are subject to slight changes

NU5098 Timetable Flyer Sept 2025

NU5098 Timetable Flyer February 2026

Practicalities

The Module will be assessed by means of a formal MCQ, a case study presentation and attainment of clinical competencies as evidenced in the students’ clinical competency booklet.

The MCQ and the Case study presentation will be online. Attainment of clinical competencies is achieved while in clinical practice.

Other Clinical simulations/scenarios); 2 x 2hr(s) Lectures; Other (Peer on-line discussions, e-activities and self-directed learning).

Continuous Assessment: (Case Study Presentation and MCQ), Clinical Compentency Workbook.

Why Choose

Module Objective: The Foundations in Critical Care Nursing module aims to build upon and advance the repertoire of knowledge, skills, attitudes and professional values in the promotion of competence in the nurses' clinical practice in critical care nursing. The goal of the module is that students will be able to safely and competently care for critically ill patients in the critical care environment in which they are employed.

Requirements

Module Name | Module Code | Requirement 1 | Requirement 2 | Requirement 3 | Requirement 4 ---|---|---|---|---|--- National Foundation Module in Critical Care Nursing | NU5098 | Applicants must be practising nurses with evidence of current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) | Evidence that registration with the NMBI will be complete by the proposed commencement date of the module; Applicants must provide evidence, a letter of support, that they will be working in a critical care environment (for a minimum of 19.5 hours/week); Applicants must provide a letter of support from their respective Director of Nursing and confirmation of having secured a clinical facilitator/preceptor for the duration of the module. | Applicants for Nursing and Midwifery CPD modules whose main language is not English and who do not hold an up-to-date IELTS certificate showing the requisite Academic Board approved CM&H scores must demonstrate evidence of appropriate work experience within an English language environment for at least the previous 2 years. | If you are applying with Qualifications obtained outside Ireland and you wish to verify if you meet the minimum academic and English language requirements for this programme please view the grades comparison table by country and for details of recognised English language tests.

Fees and Costs

The fee for this module is €1000 which includes the including the €35 processing fee.

NU5098 module is funded for HSE employed nurses only who are currently working in ICU and will be working in an ICU for the duration of the module (26 weeks). Nurses in private hospitals are self-funded or may seek private funding.

All other applicants (Non-HSE employees) are subject to the module fee of €1000.