Nursing - Community Nursing

Professional Certificate Community Nursing: An Applied Approach

This professional certificate focuses primarily on clinical nursing practice within a community context. It explores a variety of contemporary healthcare issues as they relate to primary healthcare practice both Nationally and Internationally.

Who is the programme for?
This course is designed primarily for registered nurses working in a community setting. However, the certificate will also have relevance for any registered nurse who wishes to develop their knowledge and understanding of nursing practice within a community context.

What will I learn?
Course objectives
The primary aim of this professional certificate is to facilitate the student to develop their knowledge and skills in relation to community nursing practice.

You will be provided with an opportunity to:

1.Demonstrate an understanding of contemporary healthcare issues as they relate to primary healthcare practice both Nationally and Internationally.

2.Critically evaluate the organisation and delivery of healthcare in the community with particular emphasis on evidence based practice.

3.Discuss the role of the nurse in developing appropriate healthcare interventions aimed at meeting the needs of individuals, families and communities within a primary healthcare context.

4.Critically analyse the importance of community partnership and a multidisciplinary team approach in the provision of effective healthcare

How will I benefit?
The purpose of this professional certificate is to provide you with the opportunity to explore community nursing practice from a variety of perspectives with the aim of developing your current level of nursing knowledge and skills.

Highly Focused
The Professional Certificate Community Nursing: An Applied Approach focuses primarily on the role of the nurse in the organisation and delivery of healthcare within a community context. It also includes an exploration of a variety of contemporary healthcare issues viewed specifically from the perspective of community nursing practice.

Innovation
The professional certificate is delivered in a flexible manner so as to facilitate attendance by nurses currently engaged in community nursing practice. A variety of innovative assessment strategies are used throughout the course of the module. Each of these strategies has been designed so as to facilitate the student to develop their learning in relation to their own community nursing practice. This reflects the applied nature of the professional certificate and enhances the clinical relevance of this module for any nurse currently engaged in community practice.

Networking
The student body is drawn primarily from registered nurses currently engaged in community nursing practice. The certificate is designed to provide students with a variety of opportunities to share their learning experiences both face-to-face during class contact time and via online discussion forums.

Programme Structure
The Professional Certificate Community Nursing: An Applied Approach is comprised of one module. This module is delivered over the course of one semester i.e. semester 2. The module is assessed by a variety of assessment strategies which include a class presentation, participation in online learning communities and a written critical reflection relating to community practice. A variety of clinical and university-based lecturers will be involved in the delivery of this certificate programme.

Curriculum
The curriculum has been specifically designed to meet the learning needs of nurses working in a community context. It focuses primarily on:

•Contemporary healthcare issues as they relate to primary healthcare practice both nationally and internationally.

•The organisation and delivery of healthcare in the community with particular emphasis on evidence based practice.

•The role of the nurse in developing appropriate healthcare interventions aimed at meeting the needs of individuals, families and communities within a primary healthcare context.

•The importance of community partnership and a multidisciplinary team approach in the provision of effective healthcare

All applicants should:
- Be registered as a professional nurse or midwife on the live Register as maintained by An Bord Altranais (The Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland)(NMBI).

- Hold a primary degree in Nursing or equivalent.

- Be currently engaged in clinical nursing practice.

(Other criteria may be used in the assessment of an application e.g. the number of years of experience, evidence of ongoing professional development etc.)

Recognised Prior Learning (RPL)
Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) applications must be submitted online through your SISWeb account.

There are two instances in which you can apply to have recognised prior learning taken into account when applying for a programme in UCD.

1. RPL for admission to a UCD programme
If you are a prospective student seeking admission to UCD and you do not meet the required admissions criteria as set down for a particular programme of study in UCD, you may apply to be admitted based on prior learning.

2. RPL for exemption from a module or modules on a UCD programme
If you have been accepted onto a UCD programme and wish to have credit transferred towards the requirements of the UCD programme of study, you may apply for RPL from a module or modules.

When applying for RPL, please note the following:

You must submit your application for RPL as early as possible and preferably before you commence the relevant module/stage/programme.

An application for RPL relating to a particular module should be submitted before the third week of the trimester in which it is offered. Applications made after this date will only be accepted under exceptional circumstances.

Your application will be reviewed by the Taught Graduate Standing Committee and Programme Board. You can expect to hear of the outcome or status of your application typically within four to six weeks of submitting it (depending on committee schedules).

Please note that in some cases your application may not be successful or you may not receive RPL for the amount of credit for which you applied, therefore you must register for, attend and participate in the module or modules until you have been informed of the decision of the School Programme Board.

If your application is not successful, you are responsible for all assessments associated with the module.

TO APPLY FOR RPL PLEASE CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK: https://sisweb.ucd.ie/usis/W_HU_MENU.P_PUBLISH?p_tag=APPLY

Please read the UCD Policy on Recognition of Prior Learning at this link: UCD Policy on Recognition of Prior Learning

How to apply
Applications are made online through UCD Applications. ?Applicants may be required to undertake an interview (either face-to-face or via telecommunication) as part of the admission process.

Please note that all applicants are required to pay a €50 application fee. Your application cannot be processed fully unless the application fee has been paid.

4 months part-time.

Careers/where can I go?
On successful completion of all components of this module the student will be granted a UCD Professional Certificate (level 9). This UCD accredited professional certificate will provide recipients with a comprehensive educational experience which they can apply directly in community nursing practice.