Nursing - Children's Nursing

The Higher Diploma in Nursing (Children's Nursing) programme is delivered in partnership with the UCD School of Nursing, Midwifery & Health Systems, and Children's Health Ireland. This post-registration children's nursing programme is a one-year fixed programme, awarding an academic accreditation at the Level 8 National Qualification Authority Ireland framework.

This programme will build upon your existing nursing knowledge, skills, attitudes, and professional values, enhancing your ability to care for infants, children and young people, and their families, within a variety of paediatric healthcare settings.

How will I benefit?
On successful completion of the programme, you will receive a level 8 Higher Diploma in Nursing (Children's Nursing) from UCD's School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems. The programme is recognised nationally and internationally and is a highly regarded qualification. With it, you will be well-positioned for employment opportunities in a variety of paediatric healthcare settings both nationally and internationally. Academically there are opportunities to pursue to Masters/PhD level.

Programme Strengths
Strong working and collaborative relationship between UCD School of Nursing, Midwifery & Health Systems and the clinical partner within Children's Health Ireland (CHI), CHI at Crumlin.

Students on this programme will undertake clinical placements in CHI at Crumlin as well as opportunities to work in healthcare settings within CHI, such CHI at Connolly and CHI at Tallaght, learning from renowned experts in children's nursing.

Lectures are both clinical and university-based, delivered by a wide range of children's nursing specialists with national and international expertise from clinical, research and educational perspectives.

A variety of innovative teaching methods, including lectures, workshops, and simulations, are used to consolidate the theoretical learning into clinical practice. Assessment methods are diverse and student oriented.

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

This one-year programme is run over 3 semester, commencing in September of each year. During semester 1, students will attend college in a 7-week block (Mon-Fri) of full-time study. This is followed by two clinical placements in Children's Health Ireland (CHI), at Crumlin. During semester 2, students will undertake a 4-week block (Mon-Fri)of full-time study. Students will then complete the remainder of their clinical placements in addition to a number of specialist clinical placements for the remainder of the programme.

Assessments are varied (assignments/short examination questions/MCQ/case presentation/practical examination/online discussion boards) and occur at intervals throughout and at the end of the semester 1 and 2.

Curriculum
You will complete seven theoretical modules and six clinical placement modules.

Core Modules:
Semester 1
NMHS33300 Principles and Practices in Children's Nursing
NMHS33310 Nursing Children in the Acute setting (HDip)
NMHS33250 Nursing Children with Enduring Healthcare Needs
NMHS33260 Nursing Children with Diverse Needs
NMHS33330 Practice Placement 1A

Semester 2
NMHS20810 Growth and Development in Childhood
NMHS33320 Evidence Based Care of Children Across Range Settings (HDip)
NMHS33490 Community Care and Services for Children (HDip)
NMHS33340 Practice Placement 1B

Semester 3
NMHS33350 Practice Placement 2
NMHS33360 Practice Placement 3
NMHS33370 Practice Placement 4A
NMHS33380 Practice Placement 4B

All applicants must:
- Registered with NMBI as a Registered General Nurse* or registered Children's Nurse.

- Have at least 12 month's experience in emergency nursing care.

- Currently employed in an ED where children also attend.

Please Note: If your preference is to be a student of UCD (partnered with CHI at Crumlin) there is an essential requirement that you must have undertaken a Level 8 Research Module (either stand alone or as part of a level 8 programme).

Please Note: If English is not your native language, unless you have completed your primary degree through English in an English-speaking country, an English language qualification is required for all programmes. Please refer to here for more details.

Desirable Criteria:
· Experience working with or caring for children and families
· Awareness of professional and paediatric issues
· Management of clinical risk and quality issues
· Experience of research-based practice and audit

Documents required:
Copy of current Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland P.I.N.
Copy of Birth Certificate or Personal Page of Passport.

How to Apply
The following entry routes are available:
HDip Nursing (Children's Nursing) FT (X895)
Duration
1 Years
Attend
Full Time
Deadline
Rolling*

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

This programme is advertised in the National Newspapers as well as www.irishjobs.ie in January/February each year. Interested applicants should apply through the advertised post on CHI.jobs by clicking 'Apply for Job'. Applicants will be required to undertake an interview (either face-to-face or via telecommunication) as part of the admission process.

Applications will not be accepted through direct email or any other method.

Following acceptance of an offer of a place on the programme by Children's Health Ireland (CHI) with CHI at Crumlin, successful candidates should contact the programme administrator in UCD to continue their application process.

1 year full-time.