Nursing - Emergency Nursing - Adult

GradDip Emergency Nursing (Adult)
Graduate Taught (level 9 nfq, credits 60)

The Graduate Diploma Emergency Nursing (Adult) aims to build upon and advance the emergency nurse’s repertoire of knowledge, skills, attitudes and professional values. The course aims to develop the clinician’s capacities for caring and competent practice in emergency nursing, in order to prepare the nurse to provide a patient-focused, best-practice service within the acute health care delivery service.

On successful completion of the course, you will receive a Graduate Diploma in Emergency Nursing from UCD’s School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems. The Programme is recognised nationally and internationally and is a highly regarded qualification for nurses caring for emergency department patients throughout Ireland.

Who should Apply?

Full Time option suitable for:

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

The course is aimed at advancing the range, breadth and depth of professional knowledge and skills in the care of persons presenting with acute illness or injury to an emergency department. It is aimed at qualified nurses who are currently employed in an emergency department and who have a minimum of six months’ of emergency nursing practice and one year’s acute medical/surgical ward experience.

What will I learn?
The curriculum is designed to enhance your knowledge and skills in the comprehensive assessment and management of emergency department patients.

Particular strengths include:

A long and honourable history of producing high quality graduates, many of whom are now working in advanced nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist and nurse management and educational roles

Specialist modules and clinical placements are offered in close partnership with the Emergency Departments and Nurse Education Centres of St. Vincent’s University Hospital and the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital

Short placements in the Emergency Departments of Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, the Children’s University Hospital and other acute areas

This facilitation of access to different hospital sites and settings results in numerous and valuable learning opportunities

The course enables students to gain a comprehensive understanding of subjects relevant to caring for emergency department patients. Particular emphasis is placed on recent national and international research findings and evidence-based guidelines aimed at ensuring optimal outcomes for ED patients.

This is a one year programme, divided into two academic trimesters. Autumn Trimester runs from September to early December. Spring Trimester runs from January to May of the following year. Assessments are varied and include case presentations, poster presentations, clinical rounds and short examination questions and occur at intervals during and at the end of each trimester. You will complete six modules in total, to include two core modules and four specialist modules:

2 Core Modules:

Research Methodologies
Theoretical Bases of Nursing.
4 Specialist Modules:

Care of the Acutely Ill (Semester 1)
Care of the Acutely Injured (Semester 2)
Care of the Person with Specific Needs (Semester 2)
Clinical Practicum (spans both semesters)

Students taking the programme over two years will take the two core modules in year 1 and the four specialist modules in year 2.

All applicants must hold a primary degree in Nursing (or equivalent in a related discipline). Applicants not holding a degree may apply for Recognition of Prior Learning.

All applicants must be entered on to the appropriate division of the Register of Nurses and Midwives, which is maintained by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).

All applicants at the time of application must have at least one year’s post-registration experience working in an Emergency Department.

All applicants must be employed in an Emergency Department for the duration of the programme and work a minimum of 75 hours per month. To facilitate engagement and collaboration with your allocated mentor, the majority of these hours must be day shift hours. This is confirmed by a declaration form signed by the Director of Nursing at the student’s place of employment before the commencement of the programme.

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

Other health care professionals: A current photocopy of registration with professional registration body

Copy of Birth Certificate or Personal Page of Passport

Signed Declaration Form by Employer

Completed Professional Reference Form

Nurse applicants: 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.

The following entry routes are available:

Grad Dip Emergency Nursing (Adult) FT (X616)
Duration 1 Years
Attend Full Time
Deadline Rolling*

Grad Dip Emergency Nursing (Adult) PT (X751)
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 or 2 years part-time.

Next Intake: 2024/2025 September.

Possessing this qualification, you will be well positioned to work in a variety of emergency care settings both nationally and internationally. Many of our graduates are now working as clinical nurse managers, as advanced practitioners (with additional MSc. qualification), and in educational roles.