Nursing - Midwifery Practice

This programme aims to equip you to develop your knowledge and skills to critically examine and advance your own practice and decision-making, to grow your leadership capabilities, to build on your capacity to effectively interpret research findings in practice, and to design and implement initiatives in practice.

This programme is designed for practising midwives who wish to deepen and broaden their knowledge and expertise in order to develop as midwives, midwifery leaders or midwifery researchers.

We aim to: provide you with a strong theoretical and practical foundation in midwifery theory, developments in professional midwifery practice, evidence-based decision-making, leadership and health system dynamics, and research methods; enable you to develop a critical perspective on midwifery practice and maternity care; and help you to develop your leadership and project management skills.

You will sharpen your analytical and critical thinking and develop knowledge and skills that will help you advance your thinking, practice and role in midwifery care.

How will I benefit?
The course will provide you with the key knowledge and skills to innovate and lead in your area of practice, and to conduct research and evaluate midwifery care. On completion of the programme, you will also obtain a highly regarded qualification that is recognised internationally.

Support for Mature Mature Entrants
The School has a long history in the provision of graduate programmes for practising nurses and midwives. Many of our students have returned to education after many years and have benefited from additional support in relation to academic writing, and library and research skills.

Year 1:
•Leadership and Health Systems Dynamics (Autumn Trimester)
•Midwifery Practice and the Concept of Normality (Autumn Trimester)
•Research Methods Applied to Healthcare (Spring Trimester)
•Evidence Based Decision Midwifery (Spring Trimester)
•OPTIONS (One from each set)
•Examination of the Newborn OR Women, Gender & Health (Autumn Trimester)
•Developing Leadership Comp OR Management in Action (Spring Trimester)

Year 2:
NMHS 44020 Dissertation Module (30 credit): Evidence Synthesis and Translation

*Some of the modules (Research Methods applied to Healthcare) undertaken on this programme are offered in a blended learning format combining the convenience and flexibility of online learning with the needs of busy working professionals. These modules are largely delivered online with four face-to-face workshops taking place throughout the trimester. This blended learning format gives students the opportunity to communicate and interact online with their peers, complete the majority of their coursework online, while also giving them the occasion to meet their lecturers and other students in person. These modules combine the best of both face-to-face and online learning and greatly reduce the amount of time students need to be physically present on campus in order to complete their studies.

Therefore, applicants will require regular access to a computer, preferably with a Broadband connection, and have basic IT skills (e.g. an ability to browse the internet, use email and word processing applications). An induction course will be provided prior to the programme commencing, and all students are required to attend one of the induction sessions.

Applicants must be registered as midwives on the live register with An Bord Altranais (or international equivalent, e.g. NMC), and be in a midwifery-related role at the time of application.

Applicants must hold a primary degree in Midwifery, Nursing, or equivalent in a related discipline/RPL for Admission consideration if no degree.

Other criteria to be used in the assessment of the application include number of years of experience, and evidence of ongoing professional development.

Documents to submit
Academic Transcripts including date and grading of Degree award (non UCD only)
Current photocopy of NMBI registration and pin
Copy of Birth Certificate or Personal Pages of Passport (non UCD only)
Professional Reference Form
Evidence of proficiency in English language (applicants whose first language is not English)

Closing Date: 31 July 2022

Applications are made online through UCD Applications. ?Applicants may be required to undertake an interview (either face-to-face or via telecommunication) as part of the admission process.

Please note that all applicants are required to pay a €50 application fee. Your application cannot be processed fully unless the application fee has been paid.

2 Years Part Time.
Classes take place on Mondays and Tuesdays in the Autumn & Spring Trimesters . The dissertation is completed over the Spring & Summer Trimesters in Year 2 and involves attendance at three one-day workshops.

Next Intake: September 2020

Careers: where can I go?

With your newly developed knowledge and skills for midwifery-led care, you can work at a number of levels within your organisation and within the wider maternity services; for example, in community midwifery, practice development, research, and project management. You may wish to extend your project work and undertake a research degree.