Nursing - Critical Care Nursing - Intensive Care

Critical Care Nursing requires an advanced knowledge base, skilled assessment, prompt intervention and ongoing evaluation in order to care for the critically ill with complex needs. The critical care nurse maintains the balance between the science of nursing and the art of caring. This course will provide the nurse with an opportunity to develop, enhance and maintain these specialist skills that are required to care for the critically ill.

Critical care nursing requires an advanced knowledge base, skilled assessment, prompt intervention, and ongoing evaluation to care for the critically ill with complex needs. This course will provide the nurse with an opportunity to develop, enhance and maintain these specialist skills that are required to care for the critically ill.

This programme will enhance your career prospects and give you the building blocks for lifelong self-directed learning. It will also provide you with the vital knowledge and skills to innovate and lead in your area of practice in Critical Care. Following successful completion of the Graduate Certificate in Nursing Critical Care - Intensive Care, you will be able to complete an MSc Critical Care in one academic year.

Major Strengths
UCD has a long history of producing high-quality graduates
This programme enables graduates to be even more effective clinicians, change agents and clinical leaders in Critical Care
Access to clinical and university-based lecturers with national and international expertise from clinical, research and educational perspectives
The Programme employs a variety of innovative assessment strategies with a strong clinical focus
Extensive use of IT in supporting the teaching environment of the programme
Access to excellent facilities for lectures

Subjects taught

The Graduate Certificate in Nursing, Critical Care – Intensive Care is a 40 ECTS programme offered over1-year. Assessments are varied (assignments/short examination questions/MCQ/case presentation/practical examination) and occur at intervals throughout and at the end of the trimesters.

NMHS 32440/42630 Core Concepts of ICU Nursing (Autumn Trimester, 10 ECTS)*
NMHS42770 Complex Critically Ill Patient (Spring Trimester, 10 ECTS)
NMHS42780 Chronically Critically Ill (Spring Trimester, 10 ECTS)
NMHS42520 Clinical Practicum (ICU) (Year Long Module, 10 ECTS)

*Please note that students are eligible to apply for exemption of NMHS 32440 based on successful completion of the following modules.

NMHS 32770: National Foundation Module in Critical Care Nursing
NMHS 31820 Foundation Intensive Care Nursing MMUH
NMHS32830 Foundation Intensive Care Nursing SVUH

Entry requirements

- Applicants must hold a primary degree in Nursing (or equivalent in a related discipline)/RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) consideration if no degre

- Applicants must be listed on the Register of Nurses and Midwives, which is maintained by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI)

- Applicants must hold a Graduate Diploma in another specialist area of nursing or have obtained 30 ECT (credits) at level 9 (Masters Level in both research and theoretical aspects of nursing)

- Other criteria to be used in the assessment of the application include number of years of experience, and evidence of ongoing professional development

- Must have at least one year’s post-registration experience at the time of application

Must be employed in coronary care nursing for the duration of the programme and work a minimum of 75 hours per month

- Also each student must provide documented evidence from the Director of Nursing in the clinical practice area, which guarantees ICU placement for the duration of the programme

Documents Required

Academic transcript(s) including date and grading of degree award (non UCD Graduates only) & notarised English translations where relevant
Nurse applicants: A current photocopy of An Bord Altranais registration
Other health care professionals: A current photocopy of registration with professional registration body
Copy of Birth Certificate or Personal Page of Passport
Signed Declaration Form from Employer (original form)
Completed Professional Reference Form (original form)
Nurse applicants: Completed Clinical Competence Assessor Nomination Form signed by the nominee
Evidence of proficiency in English language (applicants whose first language is not English)
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL may be granted in respect of individual modules if applicants can demonstrate that the modules' learning outcomes have been achieved through prior credentialled or experiential learning. In some cases, where an applicant does not meet the prerequisites for entry to a programme, an RPL application may be considered. Further information can be found in respect of this here.

Application dates

How to apply?
The following entry routes are available:

Grad Cert Critical Care Nursing (Intensive Care) PT (X685)
Duration 1 Years
Attend Part Time
Deadline Rolling*

* Courses will remain open until such time as all places have been filled, therefore early application is advised

Duration

1 year part-time.
MODE OF DELIVERY: Face-to-Face

Enrolment dates

Next Intake: 2024/2025 September.

Post Course Info

Careers & Employability
The Graduate Certificate Critical Care Nursing Intensive Care provides you with the comprehensive knowledge and skills required for caring for the critically ill. The key knowledge and skills gained on this programme will also enable you to innovate and lead in your area of practice in Critical Care.

More details
  • Qualification letters

    GradCert

  • Qualifications

    Minor Certificate (Level 9 NFQ)

  • Attendance type

    Part time

  • Apply to

    Course provider