Nursing - Intensive Care Nursing

The Postgraduate Diploma in Intensive Care Nursing is an exciting new pathway of the MSc/Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing Programme and will be delivered in blended learning format over one academic year.

In response to the ever-changing health care delivery system, intensive care nurses need to be educated and prepared to the highest standards in order to competently address the needs of the patient and the family, improve standards of care, maintain patient safety, engage in interdisciplinary collaboration and develop healthy work environments. The aim of this programme is to challenge nurses to think critically and creatively about intensive care nursing and to enable students to develop their knowledge and skills in pace with developments in the critical care environment. It further aims to provide students with a platform from which to further their academic and professional portfolio.

Course Practicalities
Each module is allocated a total of either 5 or 10 credits. Each 10 credit module has an estimated 200 hours' student workload, and each 5 credit module has an estimated 100 hours' student workload. The estimated workload is further broken down into the approximate time required to complete the online learning component (incl. required reading; assignment preparation and submission, and self-directed learning) and to attend scheduled lectures and workshops. The online learning component for 10 credit modules can vary from 152 hours to 184 hours with the remaining hours being allocated to lectures/tutorials/workshops. The online learning component for 5 credit modules can vary from 76 hours to 90 hours with the remaining hours being allocated to lectures/tutorials/workshops. Each 10 credit model runs for 6 weeks* and each 5 credit module runs for 4 weeks. The practice modules involve direct clinical placement learning to meet Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland requirements.

* NOTE: Students who have not completed an accredited National Foundation module in Critical Care Nursing must take NU6171 Principles in Intensive Care Nursing (10 credits) which runs over semesters 1 and 2.

Semester 1 - September to December (16 weeks) contains 2 x 10 credit modules and 2 x 5 credit modules, one of which is a clinical practicum which is undertaken in the students home Intensive Care Unit over the course of the semester. Each theory module includes a total of 1-3 days on-campus attendance at lectures/tutorials/workshops. The remainder of content is delivered online using UCC's virtual learning platform. Learning strategies include module study guides, discussion boards, audio/visual resources and online assessments/activities.

Semester 2 - January to May (16 weeks) contains 2 x 10 credit modules and 2 x 5 credit modules one of which is a clinical practicum which is undertaken in the students home Intensive Care Unit over the course of the semester. Each theory module includes a total of 1-3 days on-campus attendance at lectures/tutorials/workshops. The remainder of content is delivered online using UCC's virtual learning platform. Learning strategies include module study guides, discussion boards, audio/visual resources and online assessments/activities.

Prior to commencing the course each student taking a blended module will be provided with an orientation to Blackboard and training on how to use the online technology within the course. IT support will be given to students throughout the duration of the course.

Why Choose This Course
Through its blended learning mode of delivery, the Postgraduate Diploma in Intensive Care Nursing offers nurses a flexible option to study while continuing to work and validate their professional experience.

The postgraduate Diploma in Intensive Care Nursing is delivered over one academic year. On successful completion students can progress to the MSc in Nursing.

The Post Graduate Diploma in Intensive Care Nursing offers specialist modules to the value of 30 credits. These specialist modules incorporate a range of high fidelity simulation workshops in both the School of Nursing and Midwifery's state of the art Clinical Skills Simulation Laboratory and UCC's ASSERT centre. All specialist modules have been developed in collaboration with expert clinicians and educationalists to ensure students exit the programme with the knowledge and skills required to safely and competently care for the critically ill patient.

PATHWAY 2: INTENSIVE CARE NURSING

COURSE CONTENT
Theory modules (blended learning):

NU6005 Evidence Based Practice for Healthcare Professionals (10 credits)
NU6031 Intensive Care Nursing (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)
NU6165 Health Assessment of the Critically Ill Patient (5 credits)
NU6171 Principles in Critical Care Nursing (10 credits)

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

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 2: INTENSIVE CARE 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 Intensive Care Nursing Pathway, applicants must be Registered General Nurses.

Have clinical practice experience (and support structures, if applicable) as required for individual pathways. For the Intensive Care 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 be certified in Basic Life Support (BLS).

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.

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.

How Do I 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)
You may enter the details of professional or voluntary positions held. We strongly encourage you to complete this section with all relevant work experiences that will support your application.
Please describe your motivation and readiness for this programme.
In addition to your previously declared qualifications, please outline any additional academic courses, self-learning and professional training relevant to this programme.
Please add the name and email address of 2 referees.

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).

Please upload evidence of Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification.
All applicants must also submit a signed Declaration Form, to be 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.

Assessment
A range of continuous assessment strategies are used throughout the programme including written assignments, online activities (e-tivities), seminar presentations. Assessment of clinical competence is continuous and obtained through acquisition of core competencies and reflection on clinical practice experience, all of which is recorded in the student Competency Attainment Booklet during scheduled clinical placements.

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

Start Date: 10 June 2020