Nursing - Palliative Care

The overall aim of the Masters of Science in Nursing (Palliative Care) programme is to provide registered nurses involved in the care of patients with a life-limiting illness, the opportunity to develop their professional practice in this area. As national policy directs that all patients should have access to palliative care according to their level of need, it follows that palliative care, whilst a specialist area of practice is also an area of care that crosses different disciplines and settings.

A key goal of this programme is to prepare nurses for the challenges of caring, leading and delivering person-centred specialist/advanced palliative care across a variety of care settings.

Year 1 (Graduate Programme:

Autumn Semester
• Health Research – Methods and Methodology
• Principles of Palliative Care in Practice
• Clinical Practicum 1

Spring Semester
• Promoting Quality and Safety in Health Care
• Therapeutic Interventions in Palliative Care
• Clinical Practicum 2

Year 2 (Masters):

Autumn Semester
Dissertation 1

Spring Semester
Dissertation 2

A registered nurse on the current register of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland

Be engaged in practice as a registered nurse for at least one year

Students would normally possess a primary degree (Minimum 2.2) or show evidence of recognized prior learning (RPL) as outlined in the (RPL) policy of the university

Students are required to be working in a practice setting where there are patients with pallitive care needs, for the duration of the programme

Garda Clerance is also required for this programme.

Results in examinations other than those listed above may also be accepted as meeting our English language requirements. Contact the International Education Division for advice.

The MSc in Nursing (Palliative Care) will be offered as a full-time programme but taken on a part-time basis over two years with the option of an exit award on completion of year 1 (Graduate Diploma). Students can also opt to progress to year two for the MSc award having attained a minimum QCA of 2.00 at the end of year one.

Standard Degree Applicants/ Include with your application

Full degree transcript and certificates/awards

Copy of current Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland registration certificate

Clinical Practice Environment Self-Assessment Audit Declaration

A copy of the birth certificate (Long Document)

If your qualifications have been obtained in a country where English is an official language this will suffice

If this is not available, the following additional documents must be provided:

English translation of your qualification(s)/transcripts

English language competency certificate

Recognized Prior Learning Applicants /who do not meet standard entry requirements / Include with your application copy of birth certificate (Long Document)

Copy of current Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland registration certificate

1000 word typed Recognized Prior Learning Statement

Copies of all certificates or diploma's as part of prior learning to date

Postgraduate Diploma 60 ECTS credits

2 years full-time.

The MSc in Nursing (Palliative Care) will be offered as a full-time programme but taken on a part-time basis over two years with the option of an exit award on completion of year 1 (Graduate Diploma). Students can also opt to progress to year two for the MSc award having attained a minimum QCA of 2.00 at the end of year one.

Start Date: 09/Sep/2019

Graduate Profile
The programme focuses on the care and support of patients with palliative needs and their families. Critical inquiry will be encouraged into all aspects of palliative care with due regard for the context of practice and the changing needs of palliative care patients and their families. In addition to core modules supporting the acquisition of theoretical knowledge, students will explore how a philosophy of palliative care can underpin their practice in areas such as disease and symptom management, communication, grief and loss, spirituality, sexuality. Successful completion of the first year of the programme will provide students with the academic qualifications required to be considered eligible for clinical nurse specialist posts. The MSc award will provide students with the academic qualifications required to be considered eligible for advanced nursing practice posts.