Nursing - Respiratory Care

The aim of the Masters in Science in Nursing (Respiratory care) programme is to provide registered nurses with the opportunity to develop and enhance specialist level nursing knowledge and skills in the area of respiratory nursing. The programme is designed to facilitate learning in assessment and therapeutic nursing interventions for respiratory patients across a variety of care settings within the context of a person centred nursing philosophy.

The programme provides opportunities to explore research as evidence for enhancing and changing practice. Key emphasis is placed on the development of critical thinking and reflective skills at specialist and advanced practice levels.

Year 1:

Autumn
• Health Research Methods and Methodology
• Advanced Assessment in Respiratory Nursing
• Clinical Practicum 1

Spring
• Promoting Quality and Safety in Healthcare
• Therapeutic Interventions in Respiratory Nursing
• Clinical Practicum 2

Year 2

Autumn
Dissertation 1 (9 Credits)

Spring
• Dissertation 2 (21 Credits)

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 and Department of Nursing and Midwifery

Garda Clearance is also required for this programme.

The MSc in Nursing (Respiratory 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

Copy of birth certificate/passport

Clinical Practice Environment Self-Assessment Audit Declaration

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/passport

Copy of current Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland registration certificate

1000 word typed Recognized Prior Learning Statement

Copies of all certificates or diplomas as part of prior learning to date

Clinical Practice Environment Self-Assessment Audit Declaration

2 years full-time.

Blended learning with 13 contact days in UL in year 1
Supervised research project in year 2

The MSc in Nursing (Respiratory 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.

Graduate Profile
A key goal of this programme is to prepare practitioners for the challenges of leading and delivering specialist/ advanced level respiratory care across a variety of settings. To achieve this goal, programme content focuses on providing practitioners with the theoretical underpinnings, clinical exposure and competence for the development of knowledge and skills in areas of assessment and therapeutic interventions for persons with a respiratory condition. This programme focuses on nursing across the lifespan with respiratory related health conditions and provides nurses with the theoretical underpinning and clinical experience for the development of contemporary nursing skills in the assessment and management of patients with a range of respiratory related health problems.

Successful completion of year one of the master's programme (Graduate Diploma award) will provide students with the academic qualifications required to be considered eligible for clinical nurse specialist posts.

The MSc award on successful completion of year 2 will provide students with the academic qualifications required to be considered eligible for advanced practice posts.