Nursing - Children's Palliative Care / Complex Care

The MHSc/PDip is facilitated by the teaching teams at both University of Galway and UCD. It is designed for Registered Nurses working with children and adolescents with complex or life-limiting conditions. On completion of the six modules in Year One, students have the option of being awarded a PDip or (if they have achieved the minimum 60% average mark across these modules) may progress on to the next year to complete the master's programme. A blended learning approach is adopted in the delivery of this programme. Additionally, students are required to complete a minimum of 500 clinical hours before completing this programme.

3 GOOD REASONS TO STUDY THIS COURSE
1. New recognised specialty internationally. Only programme being offered in Ireland. Numerous new specialist posts currently in development.

2. Flexible blended learning format. Programme designed for nurses working full-time.

3. NMBI Category 2 Approval. Programme fully supported by HSE/voluntary settings as preparation for workforce planning.

Minimum Entry Requirements
1. Applicants must be registered on the general, children's, psychiatric, intellectual disability or midwifery division of the register maintained by the NMBI;

2. Have a minimum of one year's post-registration experience (exclusive of post-registration courses);

3. Be currently working in the required specialist area, i.e., an area associated with palliative care/children's complex care/ children's palliative care or allied areas (neonatal, community home care, disability, oncology) and have as a minimum six months' clinical experience in this specialist area;

4. Complete additional clinical hours in a children's palliative care/ complex setting. Placement length depends on the learning opportunities available to students in their current work setting and invidualised tailored learning needs assessment;

5. Provide written support from their employer that they will be able to access this client group across the programme;

6. Satisfy the selection panel of their ability to complete the programme;

7. Have 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 at: www.nuigalway.ie/pca/pca.html.

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.

2 years, full-time (option to leave with PDip after 1 year).

Career Opportunities
Graduates have found employment and promotion opportunities nationally and internationally in clinical nurse specialist roles (neonatology, palliative care, paediatric palliative or specialist complex care) specialist community home care, disability or liaison roles and/ or children's Hospice employment.