Nursing - Childrens Nursing

Course Overview

The course is delivered by the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin, in association with Children’s Health Ireland.



The aim of this programme is to educate graduates for the award of Higher Diploma in Nursing (Registered Children’s Nursing). Students on the programme are prepared to develop skills of critical thinking, research, and reflection to become life-long learners and leaders in children’s nursing management, advanced practice, leadership research and policy development at a national and international level.



Is This Course For Me?

Applicants for this course are expected to be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland as a RGN, RNID or RPN with at least six months of full-time, post-registration clinical nursing experience. You must apply through CHI and secure a place before applying to TCD.



Course Structure

The post registration Higher Diploma in Children’s Nursing (Level 8) takes place over one full year (52 weeks) commencing in September. The programme consists of 12 theoretical weeks divided over three semesters, 40 weeks clinical practice experience that spans medical/surgical nursing, high dependency, specialist nursing and community experience with 4 weeks annual leave. Students undertake eight compulsory modules - five theoretical and three clinical. All modules are grounded in a body of evidence-based caring knowledge that promotes excellence in children’s nursing practice.



The School of Nursing and Midwifery has teaching facilities in D’Olier Street, Dublin 2, and The Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St. James’s Hospital. Children’s specific clinical skills classes are taught in the clinical laboratories and simulation suite in the Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St. James’s Hospital. Classes are also delivered in The Centre for Learning and Development in Tallaght Hospital. Clinical practice placements take place throughout the year in varying sites that include all Children Health Ireland sites.



The programme is assessed by a variety of methods including academic assignments, coursework, OSCEs and examinations requiring the student to demonstrate application of module content. Practice placements are assessed throughout the year using the National Clinical Assessment Documentation for Higher Diploma in Children’s Nursing Students.

Course Content

Three theory modules are as follows: Fundamental Principles of Children’s Nursing and Evidence-Based Care for Children and Families, Evidence-Based Practice in Health and Altered Health in Children’s Nursing and Contemporary Issues in Child and Family Centred Nursing.



Three clinical modules are as follows: Practice Module One – Medical Nursing. Practice Module Two – Surgical Nursing. Practice Module Three – Specialist Nursing.

Admission Requirements

Programme applicants must satisfy the following criteria:



- Be selected at interview by the Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) committee.

- Be on at least one of the following divisions of the register as held by The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland: General Nursing, Psychiatric Nursing and Intellectual Disability Nursing.

- Be on the active register as held by The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland.

- Have at least six months of full-time, post-registration clinical nursing experience.

- Have relevant academic undergraduate qualifications which satisfy admission requirements.



Students will be required to undergo Garda Vetting, you can learn more at: https://www.tcd.ie/students/orientation/postgraduates/garda-vetting.php



English Language Requirements

All applicants to Trinity are required to provide official evidence of proficiency in the English language. Applicants to this course are required to meet Band B (Standard Entry) English language requirements. For more details of qualifications that meet Band B, see the English Language Requirements page.

Closing Date: 29th January 2025

1 year full-time.

Next Intake: September 2025

Career Opportunities

Higher Diploma Children’s Nursing graduates can work and specialise in a number of areas in hospital and community services. Children’s nursing offers you an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children and their families.



Postgraduate specialist programmes that children’s nurses can pursue are the M.Sc. in Child Health and Wellbeing, M.Sc. in Specialist and Advanced Practice and other Postgraduate Specialist programmes.