Nursing - Cancer Nursing

Established in 1988 at diploma level, the UCD Cancer Nursing programme was the first specialist course in oncology nursing in Ireland. Over the years, hundreds of oncology nurses throughout the country have successfully completed what is now a Graduate Diploma in Cancer Nursing .

The Graduate Diploma in Cancer Nursing is an academic and clinically based programme designed for students who wish to deepen and broaden their knowledge and expertise in cancer care in order to provide safe, effective and holistic care to people with cancer. There are four strands in this programme (Adult Cancer Nursing, Breast Care Nursing, Children’s Cancer Nursing, and Colorectal Nursing). Students undertaking the programme will choose one of these strands. Established in 1988 at diploma level, the UCD Cancer Nursing programme was the first specialist course in oncology nursing in Ireland. Over the years, hundreds of oncology nurses throughout the country have successfully completed what is now a Graduate Diploma in Cancer Nursing.

This is a one (academic) year programme, broken down into two semesters.

List of core modules:
Nursing Knowledge: Phil & Prac (Sem 1)
Research Methods Applied to Healthcare (Sem 2)

List of specialist modules:
Fundamentals of Cancer Care
Psychological Impact of Chronic Illness
Adult Cancer Nursing
Clinical Practicum (Adult Cancer Nursing) or
Breast Care Nursing
Clinical Practicum (Breast Care) or
Children's Cancer Nursing
Clinical Practicum (Children's Cancer Nursing) or
Colorectal Nursing
Clinical Practicum (Colorectal Nursing)
Fees, Funding and Scholarships

Applicants for this programme must be registered nurses. Normally, applicants will have a primary degree in nursing. Nurses who do not have a degree may apply for recognition of prior experiential learning (RPL). Criteria to be used in assessment of the RPL application includes number of years of experience, and evidence of recent and ongoing professional development. Please see below for more information on RPL.

Applicants must be entered onto the appropriate division of the Nurses Register maintained by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) (be registered as a registered general nurse (RGN)/ registered children's nurse (RCN).

Applicants must have at least one year’s experience in nursing in their specialist area at the time of commencing the programme.

Applicants for the Adult and Children’s Cancer Nursing strands will be required to demonstrate competency in the administration of systemic anti-cancer treatments and will therefore normally be based on oncology/haematology wards and/or oncology/haematology day wards (preferably rotating across both settings) prior to and for the duration of the programme. Applicants for the Adult and Children’s Cancer Nursing strands who are caring for patients with cancer but who are not based in the aforementioned settings will require a letter of support from their Assistant Director of Nursing undertaking to facilitate a placement in oncology/haematology for at least 6 weeks over the course of the programme.

Applicants for the Breast Care Nursing strand and the Colorectal Nursing strand must be employed in a unit caring for patients with breast cancer or colorectal cancer, respectively prior to commencing and for the duration of the programme.

All applicants must have identified a clinical assessor who is willing to undertake their clinical assessments over the duration of the programme. The clinical assessor must have the experience and qualifications relevant to the speciality.

Documents Required

PLEASE NOTE - The official closing date is July 31st, however, as places on the programme are subject to clinical placements which are limited, you are advised to have all of the required documentation submitted by July 1st.

Original transcript(s) including date and grading of degree award (non UCD Graduates only) & notarised English translations where relevant
Applicants: A current photocopy of NMBI registration
Copy of Birth Certificate or Personal Page of Passport
Signed Declaration Form from Employer (original form)
Completed Professional Reference Form (original form)
Applicants: Completed Clinical Competence Assessor Nomination Form signed by the nominee
Evidence of proficiency in English language (applicants whose first language is not English)
Completed accreditation RPL Application Form (if no degree)
Letter of support (to facilitate placement in oncology/haematology ward/day ward) from ADON for applicants to the Adult Cancer Nursing and Children’s Cancer Nursing strands if not normally based in an oncology/haematology ward/day ward.

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.

The following entry routes are available:

Grad Dip Nursing (Cancer Nursing) FT (X546)
Duration 1 Years
Attend Full Time
Deadline Rolling*

Grad Dip Nursing (Cancer Nursing) PT (X747)
Duration 2 Years
Attend Part Time
Deadline Rolling*

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

Assessments are varied (assignments/short examination questions/MCQ/case presentation and clinical assessments (Clinical Competency Assessment Tool, Clinical Learning Outcomes, a practical examination (OSCE)) and occur at intervals throughout and at the end of the trimesters.

60 credits

1 year full-time, 2 years part-time.
MODE OF DELIVERY: Blended

Next Intake: 2024/2025 September.

Careers & Employability
Possessing a broad and deep understanding of the theory and skills required for caring for patients with cancerous conditions, you will be well positioned to work in a variety of settings specialising in your chosen area both nationally and internationally. As the programme is particularly aimed at preparing nurses to assume the role of clinical nurse specialist, many nurses eventually take up CNS positions and some may undertake further study required for the role of ANP in Adult, Breast, Childrens or Colorectal care. Many nurses also proceed to assume CNM/Educational/Clinical Facilitator roles.