Nursing - Critical Care Nursing - Children

Graduate Diploma Critical Care Nursing (Children)

The Graduate Diploma Critical Care Nursing (Children) programme aims to build upon and advance the registered nurse's repertoire of knowledge, skills, attitudes and professional values, in order to prepare the nurse to assume the role of a nurse specialist in this area of care. The programme aims to develop the practitioner's capacities for caring and competent practice in paediatric intensive care nursing, in order to prepare the nurse to provide a patient-centred service within health care.

On successful completion of the programme, you will receive a Graduate Diploma in Critical Care Nursing (Children) from the UCD School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems. The programme is recognised nationally and internationally.

What will I learn?
The curriculum is designed to enhance your knowledge and skills with respect to the holistic assessment and management of the child and their family.

Programme strengths

Students will undertake placements in clinical sites in the PICU in either the Children's University Hospital Temple Street, or Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin, you will rotate on occasion between both hospitals to experience nursing care of a wide spectrum of specialities which includes care of neonates, care of the child with a thermal injury, cardiac care, care of child post renal transplantation, care of child with a neurological disorder

Lectures are both clinical and university-based and are delivered by a wide range of specialists. These include specialist nurses, intensivists, university lecturers, radiologists, dieticians, physiotherapists, and members of pastoral care

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 critically ill infant/child with altered respiratory function, altered cardiovascular function, and complex care needs

Flexible pathway – may be undertaken over 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time

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

Access to excellent facilities for lectures

Who should apply?
Full Time option suitable for:

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

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 Paediatric Critical Care Nursing. Specifically applicants should be registered as an RCN, RCN/RGN with a minimum of one year's experience in Paediatric Intensive Care. Applicants registered as an RGN with a minimum of 2 years experience in Paediatric Nursing may be considered for the programme. Applicants should be employed in either the Intensive Care Unit of Our Lady's Hospital Crumlin, or the Children's University Hospital, Temple Street. Places are allocated on the programme subject to availability and place on waiting list.

Programme Structure
The course may be taken over 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time. 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 semesters. Students will attend college on one day per week and learning experiences are also undertaken in planned block weeks of study, at local hospital sites.

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

Stage 1 - Core
Leadership & Organisational DynamicsNMHS42230
Clinical PracticumNMHS42460
ResMethodsAppliedtoHealthcareNMHS43270
Fund Concpts Children CritCareNMHS43700
Adv Children's Crit CareNMHS43720
Spec Consid Children Crit CareNMHS43730

Applicants should be registered as an RCN, RCN/RGN with a minimum of one year's experience in Paediatric Intensive Care

Applicants registered as an RGN with a minimum of two year's experience in Paediatric Intensive Care may be considered for the programme

Documents Required

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)
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.

How to apply?
The following entry routes are available:

Grad Dip Critical Care Nursing (Children) FT (X617)
Duration 1 Years
Attend Full Time
Deadline Rolling*

Grad Dip Critical Care Nursing (Children) PT (X748)
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

1 year full-time, 2 years part-time.

Full Time 1 yr
Code X617
Part Time 2 yr
Code X748

Careers/Where Can I Go?
The Graduate Diploma in Critical Care Nursing (Children) provides you with the comprehensive knowledge and extensive skills required for caring for infants and children in the critical care setting, thereby equipping you to work nationally or internationally. Academically, there are opportunities to continue to Masters/PhD level, and clinically you may choose to further your expertise to facilitate critical care education, to take position as a Clinical Nurse Manager or Clinical Nurse Specialist or to study for the role of Advanced Nurse Practitioner.