Program Overview

Leadership, Quality Improvement and Governance for Advanced Clinical Practice MH6030

Outline

This module explores organisational dynamics in relation to leadership, quality improvement, governance and collaborative practice. The aim of this module is to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes appropriate to advanced practice roles so as students may make an effective contribution to the attainment of excellence in person centred care, and to the development of both health and social care policy and health service delivery.

Module Content

• Overview of health care system and structure, developments and funding
• Analysis of health policies, structures and governance systems, and their implications for practice
• Overview of the policy process
• Strategies for planning service provision, implementing changes in practice, quality improvement
• The role of evidence-based practice, accreditation, regulation in quality improvement and patient safety
• Clinical and professional development issues; leadership and management frameworks, which focus on the development of the Advanced Practice role nationally and internationally
• Collaboration, communication, working in groups and team building in health care, and issues influencing the reality of working in an advanced practice role

Learning Outcomes

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

• Critically evaluate current developments in the Irish health care with a focus on Advanced Clinical Practice
• Analyse the impact of international and national policy and policy formation on health service current and future provision
• Analyse and critically compare frameworks for partnership, quality and governance in different health care contexts including role change and collaborative practice
• Critically compare and contrast different leadership and management theories and apply these to practice settings
• Evaluate quality improvement models and strategies and their application to effective management and quality improvement at individual and organisational levels
• Critically appraise the implementation and evaluation of different approaches, which enhance the professional development of oneself and others in clinical practice

Assessment

Total Marks 200: Continuous Assessment 200 marks (Written assignment, 150 marks and Presentation, 50 marks)

Compulsory Elements

Continuous Assessment

Additional Teaching Mode Information

• Dates are subject to slight changes
• Date (week commencing) | Unit | Content
  • 16/02/2026 | Unit 1 | Theoretical approaches to leadership and management, clinical leadership, team leadership, interprofessional collaboration and communication
  • 23/02/2026 | Unit 1
  • 02/03/2026 | Unit 2 | Clinical governance and change in advanced practice, healthcare regulation, risk management, managing and leading change in healthcare
  • 09/03/2026 | Unit 3 | Leadership, quality improvement and governance: healthcare policy, international healthcare policy, national healthcare policy and the ANP/AMP, policy process in Ireland
  • 16/03/2026 | Unit 4 | Professional and self-development of the ANP/AMP and others in healthcare
• Assignment 1 Due: 20th March 2026
• Assignment 2 Due: 3rd April 2026

Practicalities

200hr(s) Other (Online Learning: Discussion Board Preparation and Participation, Required Reading, Assignment Preparation and Submission, Self-Directed Learning)

Why Choose

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

• Critically evaluate current developments in the Irish health care with a focus on Advanced Clinical Practice
• Analyse the impact of international and national policy and policy formation on health service current and future provision
• Analyse and critically compare frameworks for partnership, quality and governance in different health care contexts including role change and collaborative practice
• Critically compare and contrast different leadership and management theories and apply these to practice settings
• Evaluate quality improvement models and strategies and their application to effective management and quality improvement at individual and organisational levels
• Critically appraise the implementation and evaluation of different approaches, which enhance the professional development of oneself and others in clinical practice

Requirements

• Normally hold a Honours primary degree (minimum of a Second Class Honours Grade I)
  • in a relevant subject (e.g. nursing, medicine, pharmacy, clinical therapies, philosophy, law, theology, social sciences) OR
  • in any discipline and either possess a postgraduate qualification in a relevant field or show evidence of at least two years' work experience in a relevant field
• Applicants with a Second Class Honours Grade 2 will also be considered on a case by case basis
• Note: In exceptional circumstances, applicants without a primary degree may be recommended for entry to the module after a review of their individual qualifications and experience by the course committee
• Admission to the module(s) will be subject to internal university approval processes on the recommendation of the Head of School
• Applicants for Nursing and Midwifery CPD modules who do not hold an up-to-date IELTS certificate showing the requisite Academic Board approved COMH scores must demonstrate evidence of appropriate work experience within an English language environment for at least the previous 2 years

Fees and Costs

1,100

Similar Courses

Nurses who do not currently meet the entry requirements for the APN programme and complete MH6030 are eligible for exemption from NU6163, if becoming eligible for the Programme within a 5 year period.