Nursing - Gerontological Nursing

The philosophy underpinning this course values the concept of positive ageing and the unique individual characteristics of the older person. The course seeks to validate this through the development of expert gerontological nursing to meet the complex needs of older people in a variety of care settings. This programme is a Postgraduate Diploma, 60 credits of a level nine programme of the National Framework of Qualifications (National Qualifications Authority of Ireland (NQAI), 2003).

Why Choose This Course
With the rapidly growing older-adult population and the rapidly changing healthcare services of today, it is vital that nurses working in older-adult settings are competent to provide the highest quality of nursing care, and maintain professional standards of care. The curriculum encourages you to develop an enquiring and creative approach to both the theory and practice of gerontological nursing.

PATHWAY 3: GERONTOLOGICAL NURSING

COURSE CONTENT
Theory modules (blended learning):

NU6005 Evidence Based practice for Health professionals (10 credits)
NU6053 Professional, Ethical and Legal Decision-making in Specialist practice (5 credits)
NU6070 Clinical Leadership in Practice Enhancement for Nursing and Midwifery (10 credits)
NU6078 Ageing and Older People: Comprehensive Assessment and Management (10 credits)
NU6117 Contemporary Approaches to Neurological, Cognitive and Mental health in Later Life (10 credits)
NU6079 Promoting Positive Ageing and Planning for End of Life (5 credits)

Clinical Practice/Practicum modules:
NU6130 Clinical Practice in Specialist Nursing 1 (5 credits)
NU6131 Clinical Practice in Specialist Nursing 2 (5 credits)

Note: Students who have successfully completed 30 credits from the Postgraduate Certificate in Nursing (Gerontological) and transfer into the MSc Programme must take theory modules to the value of 25 credits from above (NU6070, NU6117, NU6079) and one Clinical Practice/Practicum module to the value of 5 credits - NU6131 Clinical Practice in Specialist Nursing 2 (5 credits). For further information see our postgraduate calendar.

There are 7 clinical pathways to the degree of Masters in Nursing, all of which have an exit route available for the award of a Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing. The pathways to degree of Masters including Postgraduate Diploma exit route are all available to view in the College Calendar.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS PATHWAY 3: GERONTOLOGICAL NURSING

Applicants for this MSc in Nursing, including Postgraduate Diploma exit route, should normally:

Hold active registration on a division of the professional register maintained by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland or be eligible for such registration as required for individual pathways. For the Gerontological Nursing Pathway, applicants must be Registered General Nurses OR Registered Intellectual Disability Nurses OR Registered Psychiatric Nurses;

Have clinical practice experience (and support structures, if applicable) as required for individual pathways. For the Gerontological Nursing Pathway, applicants must have a minimum of six months of post-registration experience (excluding courses) and at least six months experience in the speciality pathway applied for;

Applicants must provide written evidence of support from their Director of Nursing/equivalent authorised Nurse Manager stating:

(a) The applicant will be working in the relevant specialist area for the duration of the programme for a minimum of 19.5 hours a week
(b) They will be released from practice to attend the programme requirements
(c) A Clinical Preceptor and/or Clinical Facilitator can support learning in the specialist area of practice for the duration of the programme.

Note: In exceptional circumstances, applicants who do not fulfil the entry requirements may be recommended for entry to the programme under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) following a review of their individual qualifications and experience by the programme committee. Such applicants may be invited for interview to satisfy the selection committee of their suitability for the programme. Admission of such applicants will be subject to the approval of the School of Nursing and Midwifery.

Note: Prospective students who do not fulfil the clinical practice experience entry requirements for the Postgraduate Diploma in Gerontological Nursing may be eligible to apply for the Postgraduate Certificate in Nursing programme (30 credits).

English Language Requirements
Applicants that are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university approved English language requirements available online.

For applicants with qualifications completed outside of Ireland

Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements, please find our grades comparison by country online.

International/non-EU applicants
For full details of the non-EU application procedure please visit our how to apply pages for international students. In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.

Not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants, please check the fact file online.

For more information please contact the International Office.

Closing Date: 3 June 2022.

How to Apply

1. Choose Course
Firstly choose your course. Applicants can apply for up to two courses under one application. Details of taught courses are available on our online prospectus.

2. Apply Online
Once you have chosen your course you can apply online at the online application portal. Applicants will need to apply before the course closing date. There is a non-refundable €50 application fee for all courses apart from the Education - Professional Master of Education - (Secondary School/Post-Primary Teacher Training) which has a €100 application fee.

Applicants for the Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health Nursing must apply on the PAC website when the programme opens for applications.

3. Gather Supporting Documents
Scanned copies of the following documents will need to be uploaded to the online application portal in support of your application. Applicants may need to produce the original documents if you are accepted onto a course and register at UCC.

Original qualification documents listed on your application including transcripts of results from institutions other than UCC
Any supplementary items requested for your course.
Please log into the online application portal for more details.

4. Application processing timeline
Our online application portal opens for applications for most courses in early November of each year. Check specific course details.

5. Rounds
For courses that are in the rounds system (Irish and EU applicants), please check the rounds closing dates here.

Questions on how to apply?
Please use our web enquiry form to contact us.

Deferrals
Deferrals are not permitted on this course.

Additional Requirements (All Applicants)
Please note you will be required to provide additional information as part of the online application process for this programme. This will include the following questions:

In addition to your previously declared qualifications, please outline any additional academic courses, self-learning and professional training relevant to this programme.
Please describe your motivation and readiness for this programme.
Please provide evidence of at least 6 months post registration experience.

Please upload certification of current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).

All applicants must also submit a signed Declaration Form completed by the Director of Nursing/Midwifery/Equivalent Authorised Manager. This form is downloadable online: Declaration Form Nursing Pathways

Additional Information
For students who have exited this programme with the award of postgraduate diploma and wish to return to complete the Masters within 5 years, please apply for CKX13, MSc in Nursing Studies Direct Entry Year 2.

Closing Date of Application: 3 June 2022

A range of assessments are used throughout the programme including written assignments, online activities (E.activities) and a Competency book is completed for the practice modules.

Year 1 Full-time (PG Diploma); Year 2 Part-time (Masters)

This programme will be taught online. All Students will be initially registered for the postgraduate diploma in nursing full time. If a student wishes to progress to the masters they will be registered for the 2nd year part time.

Start Date: Late August 2020

Skills and Careers Information
This course will give registered general nurses, registered intellectual disability nurses and registered psychiatric nurses knowledge and skills to work as a member of the older-adult team in a variety of gerontological settings to meet the complex needs of older people.