Nursing - Acute Medicine

The Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing (Acute Medicine) is designed to build advanced clinical, academic, and leadership skills through a combination of core and specialist modules. The programme provides a strong foundation in evidence-based practice and quality improvement, while offering focused expertise in the care of acutely ill patients.



Students will complete three core and three specialist modules in the first year (60 ECTS). Eligible students will then complete a research dissertation (30 ECTS) in the second year.

Year 1 (60 Credits)

Required NU606: Principles & Practice of Acute Medical Nursing

Required NU605: Recognising & Responding to Client Deterioration

Required NU921: Clinical Competence 1

Required NU502: Advanced Research Methods

Required NU6312: Advanced Health Assessment

Required NU623: Clinical Governance: Supporting Safe Practice

Required NU6439: Service Improvement

Required NU922: Clinical Competence 2

Year 2 (30 Credits)

Required NU6515: Research Dissertation

An honours bachelor’s degree at NFQ Level 8 in nursing or a comparable qualification. Applicants who do not hold an honours degree or Higher Diploma (Level 8) must demonstrate that they have successfully completed (in the previous two years) a module at Level 9. Please consult the professional credit awards at Level 9;



Currently employed as a nurse in an Acute Medical Unit (AMUs), Acute Medical Assessment Unit (AMAU), or Medical Assessment Unit (MAU), Short Stay Unit (SSU), or an equivalent clinical setting that has a remit for caring for patients in the acute stage of their medical illness. Applicants must have a minimum of six months’ experience in this setting over the past two years;



Written evidence of support for the applicant from their Director of Nursing and clinical unit manager;



Minimum academic and/or professional qualifications and standards required, together with any equivalence that may apply;



Students must work in the clinical area for the duration of the programme. Clinical requirements for completion of the programme are to pass two clinical competencies and are required to complete a minimum of 500 hours  in an acute medical unit or equivalent setting as deemed by the programme director.

Postgraduate Diploma: 1 year full-time

Masters: 2 years full-time (if eligible for second year following Postgraduate Diploma)

Next start date September 2026

This programme is particularly significant as the 2010 Report of the National Acute Medicine Programme (AMP) suggests a new approach to education and training with the development of acute medicine as a specialty for physicians, nursing and therapy professions.



It further suggests that these nurses must consolidate and expand their knowledge and skills to meet the need for early detailed assessment and development of initial treatment plans, (HSE, 2010). In the future, there may be a demand for clinical nurse specialists and advanced nurse practitioners working in acute medicine, and graduates of this programme will be ideally placed to apply for these types of positions.