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
This year totals 60 ECTS and is delivered over an academic year. The theoretical component of year one is comprised of six modules (if a registered midwife) and seven modules (if not a registered midwife). You will complete two clinical practicum competency assessments within the community setting comprising of Practicum One (1, 2 and 3 professional assessments) and Practicum Two (4 and 5 professional assessments). For students who are not registered midwives one clinical skills assessment in the maternity unit is also undertaken.

Modules (Year One):
Clinical Governance—Supporting Safe practice
Advanced Research Methods
Service Improvement A (non-midwife cohort)
Service Improvement B (midwife-cohort)
Promoting Population Health Across the Lifespan
Essential Physical Assessment Skills
Child Health Surveillance, Welfare and Protection
Child and Maternal Health (non-midwives only)
Practicum One (Professional Practice 1, 2,3)
Practicum Two (Professional Practice 4, 5)
Practicum One (Child and Maternal) (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 to complete your studies at the end of year one and receive the award of postgraduate diploma in health science (public health nursing) OR you can opt to undertake the Master of Health Science (Public Health Nursing) by completion of Year Two. Entry to Year Two 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*:

– International English Language Testing System (IELTS)—the overall minimum required score is 6.5 on the IELTS assessment test, a score of 6.5 in each band of the Academic Version is required.

– Duolingo English Test (DET)—the minimum requirement will be a DET score of 110 is required with at least 100 in each sub-score.

– Evidence of the applicant’s English language ability (ie. the applicant’s complete IELTS or DET certificate) must be submitted as a part of their application and be within three years prior to the 6th of September;

- Unless the candidate’s name is registered in the midwives division of the NMBI register, they must complete an approved module of study on child and maternal health, approved by the NMBI, as part of the programme;*

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

- Meet in full the requirements for registration specified by NMBI to be eligible for the award of the Master Health Science (Public Health Nursing).*

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

Apply at www.pac.ie/phn

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.