Nursing - Medical Surgical Nursing

This programme recognises the need for specialist postgraduate education to assist general nurses meet the challenges of increased levels of patient acuity along with ethical and patient-safety challenges in medical-surgical settings. The philosophy underpinning this programme acknowledges the importance of dynamic nursing staff, working within the multidisciplinary team, having the relevant knowledge and skills to enable them deliver evidence-based care in a competent manner while cognisant of the needs of individual patients and their significant others.

The programme aims to:

- enhance nursing practice through the application of well-assimilated knowledge and clinical skills

- act as a means of professional support, educator and role model for the provision of life long learning to ensure ongoing professional development

- exercise accountability within the clinical and professional boundaries of the role of nursing

- contribute as a learned member of the multidisciplinary team in the delivery of quality healthcare for individuals and families across a variety of contexts.

- Critically examine contemporary social, cultural and policy contexts of medical-surgical nursing.

Why Choose This Course
For nurses who wish to study over a "short" period of time e.g. just one semester (September-December), they can register for the PG Certificate in Medical-Surgical Nursing programme. Previous students who successfully completed the PG Certificate programme took a year's break from studying and then returned the following academic year to join the next cohort of students in semester two in order to complete the PG Diploma in Nursing – Medical-Surgical pathway. Students who successfully complete the Postgraduate Diploma now have the choice to proceed directly into the Master's programme.

PATHWAY 3: MEDICAL SURGICAL NURSING
Theory modules:

NU6005 Evidence Based Practice for Healthcare Professionals (10 credits) (Shared module across all pathways)
NU6053 Professional, Ethical, and Legal Decision-making in Specialist Practice (5 credits) (Shared module across all pathways except 9)
NU6125 Professional Practice Issues for Nurses and Midwives (10 credits)

Clinical Practice/Practicum module:
NU6130 Clinical Practice in Specialist Nursing 1 (5 credits)
Candidates who successfully complete all modules to the value of 30 credits in the PG Certificate in Nursing programme may apply to transfer into the relevant pathway of the MSc in Nursing programme with the option of exiting with a Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing (Medical-Surgical) award at the end of an additional 12 months.

The Postgraduate Certificate in Nursing is a part-time programme running for 6 months from the date of first registration for the programme. Applicants choose their pathway at the application stage and all of the pathways are viewable in the College Calendar.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS PATHWAY 3: MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING

Applicants for the Postgraduate Certificate in Nursing 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 Medical-Surgical Nursing Pathway, applicants must be Registered General Nurses AND
Have clinical practice experience (and support structures, if applicable) as required for individual pathways. For the Medical-Surgical Nursing Pathway applicants must have a minimum of six months' post-registration experience (excluding courses) and at least three months experience in the speciality pathway applied for.

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 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)
What is your current occupation/speciality?
Please upload certification of current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).

Please add the name and email address of 2 referees.
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 PG Cert in Medical Surgical Nursing, CKU08.

6 months part-time
This programme will be taught online

Start Date Late August 2020