Nursing - Professional Nursing

Course Overview

The aim of the Postgraduate Diploma in Science in Professional Nursing blended learning programme is to provide an accessible, innovative, flexible and practice-orientated sustainable programme that will attract and retain nurses who will continue to work as nurses within an integrated health service. The graduates of the programme will develop an advanced level of theoretical knowledge and innovative practice to practice at a higher level of capability as independent, autonomous and expert nurses. On completion of the Postgraduate Diploma in Science in Professional Nursing, the graduate will be able to:



1. Generate an advanced level of theoretical knowledge and attributes for delivering evidence based expanded professional practice.



2. Develop autonomy, leadership and negotiation skills in order to advance clinical, risk and ethical decisions at advanced professional practice level.



3. Critically evaluate knowledge and nursing science that will actively contribute to the professional body of knowledge.



4. Critically utilise e-technology and e-health platforms to inform all aspects of personal and professional development.



5. Develop leadership capacity in the context of current structural and professional change in the Irish health service

Semester 1

The Fundamentals of Professional Practice (10 ECTS)

Leadership and Decision Making for Advanced Practice (10 ECTS)



Semester 2

Advanced Practice in Person-cantered, Integrated Care (10 ECTS)

Research methods for evidence based practice (10 ECTS)



Semester 3

Quality and Innovation (10 ECTS)

Elective Module: Advanced Comprehensive Health Assessment (10 ECTS) OR Transforming Professional Practice Through Reflection (10 ECTS

To be eligible for this programme applicants must:



- Be a registered Nurse with NMBI

- Be currently employed in health care provision

- Hold a level 8 qualification



*Applicants who do not have a level 8 qualification may apply for entry to the programme in accordance with the procedures outlined in the DkIT Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy. Applicants may be interviewed



Due to the blended learning delivery within this course students should have access to a PC / Mac, a headset with a mic, and a broadband internet connection from home, so as to be able to fully participate in the course.



Basic IT skills are essential to complete this programme

How To Apply

Apply Directly to DkIT

Apply directly to DkIT using our online applications system (see "Application Weblink" above). Please remember to upload the required documentation (copies of your existing qualification(s), your CV, any other support documents etc) with your online application to expedite your application. To avoid disappointment early registration is recommended.

2 years part-time, blended delivery.



Course Delivery

This programme will be delivered predominantly online with live online lectures on one day a week from 09.00hrs to 13.30hrs.



In the afternoons students will be given directed study, which students can undertake at a time suitable to them.



Students are required to attend the DkIT campus, from 09.00hrs to 16.00hrs for 3 days in each semester.



Please note this timetable is subject to change.

Start Date: September 2025.

Career Opportunities

Those graduating from the Postgraduate Diploma in professional nursing will have opportunities to advance a career in clinical or management posts.



Education Progression

Students may progress to the MSc in Science in Nursing Practice (90 ECTS).