Nursing - Intensive Care

Your Course
This programme is designed for registered nurses who wish to pursue a specialism in Intensive Care Nursing. Taught components of the programme are delivered in a blended learning format. Blended learning is an innovative teaching strategy which involves a combination of face-to-face and online learning. Students attend face-to- face workshops for a total of 12 days across the programme. The programme is comprised of six theory/practice modules. In all modules, there is an emphasis on exploring the relevance of module content to practice; similarly, practice placements allow students to explore 'new' knowledge in practice, giving them an opportunity to integrate theory and practice.

Students are required to undertake their clinical practice in an approved setting within Ireland, normally within the students' own work setting. Where the environment does not provide sufficient opportunities to meet the learning outcomes of the programme, additional placements will be required of the student in sites which will provide the experience needed. A minimum of 1,000 clinical hours need to be completed in the specialist area while undertaking the programme.

Minimum Entry Requirements
All applicants must meet the following entry requirements:
1. Be a registered nurse on the General division of the register maintained by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI);

2. Have a minimum of six months' post-registration experience (exclusive of post-registration courses);

3. Be currently working in the required specialist area, i.e., Intensive Care, and have as a minimum six months' clinical experience in this specialist area;

4. Provide written evidence of support from their Director of Nursing for the duration of the programme;

5. Have an honours bachelor's degree at NFQ Level 8 in nursing or a comparable qualification. Applicants who do not hold an honours degree or Higher Diploma (Level 8) must demonstrate that they have successfully completed (in the previous two years) a module at Level 9. If you wish to apply for a Level 9 module, please consult: www.nuigalway.ie/pca/pca.html;

6. Applicants for this programme who have undertaken the National Foundation Education Module in Intensive Care Nursing at UCD or UCC may apply for exemption for the Specialist Module 1 on the Master's/Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (Intensive Care) in NUI Galway.

WHEN TO APPLY: NUI Galway does not set a deadline for receipt of applications (with some exceptions). Offers will be issued on a continuous basis. Candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

2 years, full-time (option to leave with PDip after 1 year).

Career Opportunities
Graduates have found employment and promotion opportunities nationally and internationally.