Nursing & Midwifery - Orthopaedic Nursing - National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh

Enhance your key research skills and knowledge of professional, clinical, leadership and managerial issues related to orthopaedic procedures and improve your knowledge of evaluating approaches to planning and implementing health education, interventions, polices and strategies.



The PgDip in Orthopaedic Nursing offers three strands: (1) an Elective Strand for planned adult orthopaedic procedures, (2) a Paediatric Strand for planned and unplanned paediatric orthopaedic procedures, and (3) a strand for Musculoskeletal Casting and Splinting.



This programme is delivered part-time via an active blended learning approach including self-directed learning, live online classes approximately once every week in Semester 1, and in-person teaching in Semester 2. Further support is provided by the module lead, programme director and regular online drop-in sessions.



This course is delivered by the RCSI School of Nursing and Midwifery in partnership with the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Cappagh. The RCSI School of Nursing and Midwifery also offers a PgDip in Orthopaedic Trauma Nursing.



The award title for this course is Postgraduate Diploma Nursing (Orthopaedic Nursing).



This course is a Level 9 award on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications.



Suitable for

This programme is designed for registered nurses working in planned adult orthopaedic procedures, planned and unplanned paediatric orthopaedic procedures, or musculoskeletal casting and splinting.



Accreditation and recognition

All programmes offered by the School of Nursing and Midwifery are accredited by RCSI, the National University of Ireland and the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland. Recognition by bodies in other jurisdictions must be determined by individual applicants.

Advanced Research Methods

Advanced Leadership and Management – Clinical and Professional

Advancing Professional Practice

Principles of Orthopaedic Nursing



Elective Strand for Planned Adult Orthopaedic Procedures:

Management of conditions impacting on the Musculoskeletal System from a Nursing Perspective

Nursing the Patient Undergoing Planned Orthopaedic Surgery



Paediatric Strand for Planned and Unplanned Paediatric Orthopaedic Procedures:

Nursing the Trauma Paediatric Patient

Planned/Elective Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgery

Clinical skills for Musculoskeletal Casting and Splinting (20 ECTS)

You must:

• Hold an NFQ Level 8 qualification. However, applicants who do not hold a Level 8 qualification may still be eligible to join the programme through our supported-entry pathway programme. This is subject to an assessment of prior learning and experience.



• Have an active registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland.



• Be working in planned orthopaedic procedure settings at the National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh or an affiliated site for the duration of the programme.



Recognition of prior learning (RPL)

Learning occurs in many contexts including work, involvement in social and community activities, and learning through life experience generally.



Recognition of prior learning (RPL) does not give credit for experience as such – rather, it considers learning that was acquired as a result of the experience. RPL may be used to gain admission to programmes where you may not have obtained the standard entry requirements. This is considered on a case-by-case basis.



Exemptions from programme modules that duplicate learning already demonstrably acquired through prior learning may also be considered on a case-by-case basis.



For more information, please contact the School of Nursing and Midwifery:

Tel: +353 1 402 2445

Email: nursing@rcsi.ie



English language requirements exceptions

English language requirements for Postgraduate programmes are published at

https://www.rcsi.com/dublin/postgraduate/policies-and-guidelines/english-language-requirements



If you have completed undergraduate/postgraduate full-time studies in the medium of the English language (three or more years cumulatively) or are registered with the NMBI, you are exempt from these requirements.

1 year. Mode of delivery Hybrid - Part-time.

Fees and funding

•Total fees: Fees are currently being reviewed for 2020/21 and will be released shortly.


Please note

•Your annual fees include the €45 NUI fee.

•There is a non-refundable online application fee of €50.

•Fees can be paid by bank transfer, cheque (made payable to 'RCSI') or bank giro. Full details on fee payment will be emailed to you shortly before the commencement of your programme.

•You can pay your fees in three instalments – one payment of 40% is due before you commence the programme, while the remaining payments can be paid in two 30% instalments in November and February of your year of study.

•If you meet the criteria for a Non-EU student please contact us for more information on fee payments

Next start date: September 2026.

Progression options

Graduates of this postgraduate diploma who wish to take a further step, may enrol onto the master's programme – the MSc Nursing (Orthopaedic Nursing) – and undertake Year 2 of the full programme, completing a systematic review.