Nursing - Advanced Practice Nursing

3 GOOD REASONS TO STUDY THIS COURSE
1. Students who successfully complete this programme are eligible to apply to NMBI to register as an RANP.

2. Advanced practice has been defined as 'a continuum along which practitioners develop their professional knowledge, clinical reasoning, clinical judgement, skills, and behaviours to higher levels of capability that is recognisable' (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia 2014).

3. You would like to gain the knowledge and skills to influence behaviour change at the individual and population level.

Minimum Entry Requirements
1. Applicants must have a minimum of an honours primary degree in Nursing, and hold a current active registration on the professional register maintained by NMBI;

2. Applicants must provide evidence of support from an employer and completed Site Declaration Forms, signed by the Director of Nursing/Public Health/Nurse Manager and Medical Mentor containing confirmation of a clinical supervisor who will provide supervision, support and learning opportunities, including opportunities to practice under supervision to gain the required competencies and clinical competence;

3. Applicants must comply with current minimum entry requirements for admission to the programme of education for nurse/midwife prescribing, and must have three years' recent post-registration clinical experience in nursing (this must be within the past five years) with the equivalent of one year full-time experience in the specific area of clinical practice;

4. Applicants must provide nomination and confirmation of a clinical supervisor who will provide the student with supervision, support and opportunities including shadowing opportunities to gain the required competencies for nurse prescribing in his/her practice area/organisation.

WHEN TO APPLY: University of Galway does not set a deadline for receipt of applications (with some exceptions). Offers will be issued on a continuous basis. Candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible. See page 312 for full details of when and how to apply.

2 years, part-time (MSc); 1 year, full-time (PDip)

Career Opportunities
Graduates will be autonomous practitioners, who are clinically competent and skilled in the delivery of high-quality, direct care to a specific patient/client group. The Advanced Nurse Practitioner will be empowered to promote wellness, offer healthcare interventions and advocate healthy lifestyle choices for patients/clients, their families and carers in a wide variety of settings in collaboration with other healthcare professionals, according to agreed scope of practice guidelines. Graduates, equipped with such knowledge and advanced skills will be eligible to apply to the Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) for registration as a Registered Advanced Nurse Practitioner (RANP).