Program Overview

Nursing - Practice Nursing

Course Fact File

• Code: PDPN
• Duration: 2 years Part-time
• Teaching Mode: Part-Time
• Qualifications: PG Dip
• NFQ Level: Level 9
• EU Fees: €7,130 (€3,565 per annum)
• Non-EU Fees: €14,410
• Closing Date: Not on offer 2023/24
• Start Date: Not on offer 2023/24

Course Outline

The Postgraduate Diploma in Practice Nursing will be delivered in blended learning format over two academic years. The aim of this programme is to challenge nurses to think critically and creatively about practice nursing and to enable students to develop their knowledge and skills in order to keep pace with developments in the field of primary care.

Course Practicalities

• For each 10 credit blended learning module, there is an estimated 200 hours student workload.
• The breakdown of these hours is:
  • 184 hours distance online and technology learning, and 16 hours of face-to-face contact in University College Cork (lectures, workshops).
• The breakdown for 5 credit theory modules will be half the hours stated above for 10 credit modules.

Assessment

A blended approach to assessment will involve both e-tivities and traditional approaches. Each assessment is alignment to the module learning outcomes. A range of continuous assessments are used across the modules.

Who Teaches This Course

Staff, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Department of General Practice, Health Service Executive and CervicalCheck–The National Cervical Screening Programme.

Why Choose This Course

This Postgraduate Diploma in Practice Nursing offers healthcare professionals a flexible option to study while they continue to work and validate their professional experience.

Skills and Careers Information

What Can I Do After I Graduate with a Postgraduate Diploma in Practice Nursing?

The postgraduate programme prepares nurses to critically review their practice to increase effectiveness in patient-centred care in primary care. On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Enhance clinical nursing practice through the application of well-assimilated policy, theoretical, and practical knowledge.
• Critically appraise and evaluate current research evidence and best practice for practice nursing and its implications for practice.
• Exercise accountability within the clinical, ethical and professional boundaries of the role of practice nursing.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of individual outcomes against specialist intervention plans for individuals and their families in primary care.
• Synthesise health related issues for the development of intervention/service responses appropriate to the needs of individuals and their families in primary care.
• Contribute as a learned member of the multidisciplinary team in the delivery of quality healthcare for individuals and families within the context of practice nursing.
• Act as a means of professional support, educator and role model for the provision of lifelong learning to ensure on-going professional development.

Occupations Associated with Postgraduate Diploma in Practice Nursing

• Private General Practice- Practice Nurse/ Clinical Nurse Manager
• Health Service Executive- Advanced Nurse Practitioner/Clinical Nurse Specialist/Community Nurse

Requirements

• Applicants must be Registered General Nurses with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).
• Applicants must have a minimum of twelve months post-registration experience (excluding courses).
• Applicants must be currently working in general practice or provide written evidence that they have identified a general practitioner (GP) practice where they can undertake clinical placement.

Fees and Costs

• The EU fee for this course is €7,130 (€3,565 per annum).
• The Non-EU fee for this course is €14,410.

How to Apply

1. Check dates
2. Gather documents
3. Apply online

Additional Requirements

Please note you will be required to provide additional information as part of the online application process for this programme. This will include the following questions:

• You may enter the details of professional or voluntary positions held. We strongly encourage you to complete this section with all relevant work experiences that will support your application.
• In addition to your previously declared qualifications, please outline any additional academic courses, self-learning and professional training relevant to this programme.
• Please describe your motivation and readiness for this programme.
• Please provide evidence of at least 12 months post registration experience.
• All applicants must upload the following 2 documents here:
  • Written evidence that they have identified a general practitioner (GP) practice where they can undertake clinical placement. Please upload a letter of support from the GP employer(s) in this practice.
  • Written evidence that they have identified a Practice Nurse or a general practitioner (GP) who is willing to be a preceptor within their identified general practice. Please upload a letter here from this Practice Nurse or general practitioner (GP) indicating their willingness to be a preceptor.