Nursing - Public Health Nursing

Course Overview

The Master Health Science (Public Health Nursing [PHN])—runs over two academic years. Candidates will register initially for a one year postgraduate diploma upon successful completion of year one can register with the NMBI as a public health nurse. To successfully complete Year One the student must complete theoretical modules totalling 60 ECTS and clinical assessment requirements as stipulated by NMBI (2015). They will be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (Public Health Nursing). This is currently sponsored by the HSE.



Students on successful completion of year one may choose to transfer to Year 2 of the MSc programme, without exiting the programme with a Postgraduate Diploma. In order to transfer to Year 2 of the MSs programme, students must achieve 60% on the aggregate of modules undertaken in year one to progress to Year Two. Year Two of this programme is offered by the School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Galway, and is not sponsored by the Health Service Executive.

PROGRAMME CONTENT (subject to change)



Year One

The theoretical component of year one is comprised of 5 modules (if a registered midwife) and 6 modules (if not a registered midwife).



You will also complete clinical placement competency assessments within the community setting. Students who are not registered midwives will also undertake 5 weeks placement and a clinical assessment in a maternity setting.



Modules (Year One):

Clinical Governance—Supporting Safe practice  

Advanced Research Methods

Promoting Population Health Across the Lifespan

Child Health Surveillance, Welfare and Protection

Public Health Nursing Praxis

Maternal, Infant and Family Health (non-midwives only) 

Public Health Nursing Placement

Maternity Placement (Child non-midwives only)

Note: Year One is currently sponsored by the HSE.



Master of Health Sciences (Public Health Nursing)—Year Two

On successful completion of year one you can register with the NMBI as a Public Health Nurse. You can either choose complete your studies (opt out of year 2) at the end of year one and receive the award of Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (Public Health Nursing) OR you can continue on to year 2 to undertake the Master of Health Science (Public Health Nursing). Entry to Year 2 of the programme is subject to you achieving 60% on the aggregate of modules undertaken in year one. In Year 2 you complete a research dissertation (30 ECTS) on a topic of relevance to public health nursing.



Note: Year Two is self-funded and part-time.

- Be registered in the General Nursing Division of the Register of Nurses maintained by the Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) or entitled to be so registered AND have a minimum of three years' post-registration general nursing experience.* OR



- Be registered in the General Nursing Division and another Division of the Register, including Registered Midwife (RM), Registered Children’s Nurse (RCN), Registered Nurse Intellectual Disability (RNID) or Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN) Divisions of the Register of Nurses and Midwives maintained by the NMBI or entitled to be so registered; AND have a minimum of 18 months' post-registration general nursing experience as an RGN, and 18 months post-registration experience as an RM or RCN or RNID or RPN.* AND



- Meet the academic criteria set by the relevant Higher Education Institute (HEI); Hold an NQAI Level 8 qualification (honours degree) or proof of equivalency; Demonstrate that they have undertaken a programme of study at NFQ Level 8. The academic transcript provided will be used as evidence to demonstrate this, and it should be for the highest level award.*



- If an applicant has not studied at Irish NFQ Level 8 or above or is unable to submit a complete academic transcript or is unsure of the level of their award as detailed above or is unable to confirm the level of their award is equivalent to Irish NFQ Level 8 or above they must complete an Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL).*



- Applicants whose first language or language of primary expression is not English must provide evidence that their English language ability meets the required standard for admission in one of the following ways*:



-The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) - the overall minimum required score is 7.0 on the IELTS assessment test Academic Version, with a minimum of 7.0 in any three components and 6.5 in any one component or the equivalent in another English language test and examination. *certificate must have been completed within 2 years of deadline for submitting Std PHN application.



In circumstances where applicants previously met the minimum English requirements, but the cert has expired (applicants must submit the expired certificate with their application), applicants will not be required to re-take the examination if:



-They have worked, for a minimum of 2 years, through the medium of English in a country where English is the acknowledged primary language.



-Satisfy the selection/admission committee that they have the ability to complete the programme;*

Closing Date Year 1: 16/01/2025 see PHN Sponsorship - HSE.ie



Applications must be completed online at: https://nuigalway.elluciancrmrecruit.com/Apply/Account/Login.



An application requires a registration fee of €35. You will be asked to upload proof of identification, academic transcripts, a personal statement, an academic reference and documentation to fulfil the English requirement (where English is not your first language).

1 year, full-time (for Year One of programme); 1 year, part-time (for Year Two of programme).

Next start date September 2025

Career Opportunities

As a graduate, you will have the opportunity to practise autonomously within a community setting. You will have developed a specific knowledge that will enable you, as a community practitioner, to provide primary healthcare and target public health issues in the community.