Nursing - Childrens Cardiac Care

Graduate Taught (level 9 nfq, credits 60)

Programme Strengths
Students on this programme will undertake clinical placements in CHI at Crumlin and Clark Clinic at RBHSC. The placement locations will allow you to experience the care of a wide spectrum of presenting cardiac conditions including congenital heart disease, acquired cardiac defects in settings including the cardiac catheterisation laboratory, the hybrid lab, cardiac MRI and Cardiac theatre.

Lectures are both clinical and university-based and are delivered by a wide range of specialists. These include Specialist Nurses, Advanced Nurse Practitioners, Cardiologists and Cardiothoracic Surgeons, Pharmacists, Radiologists, Dieticians, Physiotherapists and Psychologists.

There is a strong emphasis on continuous progression of clinical ability and clinical effectiveness through continuous assessment, clinical examinations, and case presentations

The delivery of specialist modules on care of the child with a cardiac condition.

Flexible pathway – recognition of prior learning where applicable

Extensive use of IT in supporting the teaching environment of the programme

Access to student support services including a dedicated student advisor, librarian and access to the UCD Writing Centre

Who should apply?
Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. No

This programme is designed to meet the professional development needs of Registered Nurses who wish to specialise in Children's Cardiac Nursing.

Applicants should be registered as an RCN, RCN/RGN with a minimum of one year's experience in Children's Cardiac Nursing. Applicants registered as an RGN with a minimum of 2 years' experience in Children's Nursing may be considered for registration to the programme.

Applicants should be employed in either cardiac services in Children's Health Ireland at Our Lady's Childrens Hospital Crumlin, or Clark Clinic in The Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children.

Outside of these centres applicants may be working in a specialist role caring for children with a heart condition.

Places are allocated on the programme subject to successful interview, and availability of places.

A wide range of teaching methods are used, which includes large and small group lectures, seminars and tutorials. Clinical teaching is undertaken by specialists in the clinical area who work with the students to assist them in applying theory to practice. The UCD Virtual Learning platform 'Brightspace' supports online teaching and learning, facilitating synchronous and asynchronous online content delivery. Clinical placements provide students with excellent opportunities to learn from experts in other hospitals and/or within their own hospitals; students attend multi-disciplinary team meetings and engage in supervised practice.

This programme will commence in Sept 2021 as a 2 year part-time programme.

Assessments are varied (assignments/ case presentation/practical examination/online discussion boards/student debate) and occur at intervals throughout and at the end of the semesters. During the first year students will attend college online for a short period one day per week. During year 2, learning experiences are undertaken in planned blocks of study, at the hospital site.

Curriculum
You will complete six modules in total, to include two core modules taken in year 1, and four specialist modules taken in year 2.

Core Modules:
Semester 1 NMHS42230 - Leadership and Organisational Dynamics

Semester 2 NMHS43270 - Research Methods Applied to Healthcare

Specialist Modules:

Semester 1 - NMHS44180 Fundamental Concepts of Children's Cardiac Nursing

Semester 2 - NMHS43720 Advanced Children's Critical Care

Semester 2 - NMHS44170 Specialist Considerations in Children's Cardiac Nursing

Semester 1 and Sem 2 - NMHS42460 Clinical Practicum: Paediatric Critical Care Nursing

Hold a minimum of a BSc degree or equivalent in Nursing (Note: Applicants not holding a bachelor's degree may apply for Recognition of Prior Learning)

Given the cross-border nature of the programme; Nurses must be registered with the NMBI.

PSNI as well as Garda clearance will be required. Clinical placements in both Belfast and CHI at Crumlin are programme requisites.

Must be currently employed in a Children's Cardiology setting, in a 0.5 FTE capacity at a minimum, and provide written evidence that they will be supported in completing the minimum required hours of practice, including throughout the clinical practicum.

RGN without RCN qualification will have a minimum of 2 years' experience working in Children's Cardiology.

RCNs with relevant prior experience must have a minimum of 18 months working in Children's Cardiology.

Completion of 'Introduction to Children First' E-learning module on hseland.ie and certification submitted.
Reference from Clinical Nurse Manager/ Clinical Nurse Education Facilitator.
Documents Required

Original transcript(s) including date and grading of degree award (non UCD Graduates only) & notarised English translations where relevant

Nurse 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)

Completed Clinical Competence Assessor Nomination Form signed by the nominee

Evidence of proficiency in English language (applicants whose first language is not English)

Complete UCD Garda Vetting

Evidence of completion of 'Introduction to Children's First' online learning module www.hseland.ie

2 Years Part Time Blended X962