Nursing - Examination of the Newborn

ProfCert Examination of the Newborn
Graduate Taught (level 9 nfq, credits 10)

Vision and Values Statement
The University College Dublin (UCD) Midwifery Examination of the Newborn registration and postgraduate education programme is designed to develop and advance the clinical skills of post–registration midwives and neonatal nurses to become competent practitioners in the advanced clinical examination of the newborn. The advanced examination of the newborn is an additional assessment of the newborn, to the midwife's check immediately after birth and is designed to meet the requirements of a rapidly changing maternity and neonatal service. Midwives are equipted to skillfuly examine babies, to recognise deviations from the normal and to refer to appropriate experts through collaboration with the multi - disciplinary team. This programme promotes health, wellbeing and dignity across the childbearing life cycle through skilled and ethical practice, based on the best evidence and prudent professional judgement (i). This is achieved through the development of lifelong learning skills for the personal and professional development of knowledge, competencies, skills and attitudes over the duration of the programmes. This will lead to a level 8 (undergraduate) or level 9 (postgraduate) award and professional registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland.The learner actively engages in the development of midwifery research to strengthen and enhance the profession's contribution to maternity services and to the evolution of midwifery knowledge and practice. In addition, the purpose of this graduate programme is to develop and enhance students' critical skills and midwifery knowledge to an advanced level that is responsive to contemporary maternity care needs.

The UCD Midwifery programmes facilitates the learner to be active, reflexive, autonomous, and motivated through engagement in innovative teaching and learning activities throughout the programmes. Curricula are student-focused, research-led and research informed. This scholarly approach to programme design (ii), aims to inspire passion and excellence in the learner's discipline by forming identity, integrity, commitment and curiosity for the provision of holistic, safe, ethical, compassionate and evidence based midwifery care. The development of midwifery curricula is a dynamic process that reflects the midwifery profession's responses to societal changes and the reproductive health needs of women and childbearing families. Curricula are developed with stakeholder (iii) involvement to ensure that they meet the current and future needs of learners, the development of the midwifery profession and evolving maternity health care systems (iv).The Examination of the Newborn programme as part of the UCD Midwifery philosophy is learner focused, involving a wide variety of pedagogical approaches to teaching, learning and assessment to enhance the student experience and encourage the development of learning (v). Learning takes place in multiple environments across the university and clinical practice settings. The collaboration with clinical partners across the health care sector in the development and implementation of the UCD Midwifery Programmes is a major strength. Students are encouraged to develop an awareness of research, policy and political issues through discourse and dialogue about relevant issues in contemporary maternity care nationally and internationally; thus enabling students to proactively initiate and lead change in maternity care services.Learning is facilitated by the use of a variety of innovative pedagogies and technologies to meet emerging students, professional and health system needs (vi). This commitment to curricula innovation ensures that there is alignment of programme learning outcomes, teaching and learning activities and assessments. The Examination of the Newborn programme is taught by experts in the fields of midwifery, education, research and professional practice ensuring that learners experience a coherent, cumulative, research-based educational programme that meets all academic and professional regulations, standards and requirements. This programme encourages and supporst future academic and continuous professional development.

Programme Outcomes
1. Students will be motivated to continue independent learning, facilitating adaptation to the dynamically altering environment within society and maternity care to empower personal and professional development within variable and diverse maternity care settings

2. Demonstrate capacity to evaluate, critically analyse and apply research related to the examination of Newborn babies. Demonstrate the application and integration of best practice informed by national and international research in order to advance midwifery practice and delivery.

3. Use technology effectively to enhance midwifery practice and personal and professional development ensuring a contribution to learning, and the delivery of safe, evidence based maternity care.

4. Apply critical, creative, reflective, independent thinking and problem solving to demonstrate clinical decision making and care is safe, effective, evidence based and woman and family -centered.Promote leadership to evolve this midwifery led initiative.

5. Communicate and collaborate effectively with women, their families, advocates, the public, and professional peers in a competent, compassionate and professional manner that respects autonomy, dignity and privacy. Refer appropriately to the multi disciplinary team.

Stage 1 - Core
Examination of NewbornNMHS43380

The following entry routes are available:

Professional Certificate Examination of the Newborn PT (X753)

Deadline
Rolling*

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

Part Time option suitable for:

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

8 months part-time.