Nursing - Gerontological Nursing

Why study nursing and midwifery at RCSI Dublin?
Educating future leaders in healthcare delivery and related research is at the core of the mission of the RCSI School of Nursing & Midwifery. The School aims to develop caring, reflective nursing and midwifery practitioners who can seek out and use research-based knowledge to improve patient care.

We are committed to providing students with outcome-focused curricula shaped by innovative teaching and learning practices. We have a long association with postgraduate nursing and midwifery education and are the largest such school in Ireland.

We aspire to become recognised leaders in the provision of health sciences education, both nationally and internationally. The suite of programmes we offer nurses and midwives in pursuit of postgraduate education is continually evolving in response to the needs within the healthcare service.

Our goal is to empower nurses and midwives to be able to demonstrate the difference they make to practice, and in doing so, to be able to respond accordingly to the leadership and professional challenges that they face every day.

Course Details
The one semester, part-time postgraduate certificate in Gerontological Nursing offers you the theoretical knowledge necessary to provide evidence-based, quality care to our older population, whether in the acute setting, residential care or rehabilitation.

Learning outcomes
This programme will provide you with the skills and knowledge to critically:
• Discuss the older person and living with chronic illness and disability
• Discuss the importance of the social approach to care in the extended care setting
• Evaluate emerging health and social policy in relation to older adults from a national and international perspective
• Evaluate the available demographic information on older adults and its influence on policy formation
• Discuss person-centred care for older persons in the acute care setting based on knowledge that reflects the unique characteristic, needs and responses for older people
• Discuss and demonstrate an understanding of multiple co-morbidities and the older adult.

Modules
This programme uses a blended learning approach, with an emphasis on online learning through our virtual learning environment.

Module name, Credits, Assessment method
Biopsychosocial Perspectives of Older Persons: A Person-Centred Model of Care, 10, Assignment and video submission
Dementia and Mental Health Disorders in Older Adults, 10, Assignment
Contemporary Issues, Legislation and Quality Improvement in Older Persons Services, 10, Assignment

Entry requirements
To be eligible for the programme you must:
• Be a registered nurse or midwife on the active register with the Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland, or the relevant regulatory body in your country of practice before commencing the programme.
• Hold a level 8 degree* or international equivalent, demonstrated through a defined recognition of prior learning (RPL) process.
• Meet the English Language Requirements: IELTS English proficiency test score of 6.5 or the equivalent score on another standardised test. You are exempt if you completed your undergraduate/postgraduate studies full-time in the medium of the English language (three or more years, cumulatively).

*Please note: If you do not hold a level 8 qualification, you may still be eligible to join the programme through our pathway programme. Please contact us for further information on this route.

One semester
Delivery: Part-time