Nursing - Specialist Nursing

This part-time, blended-learning programme enables you to choose one of two specialist pathways: Chronic Disease Management or Women’s Health.



Designed by the School of Nursing, Psychotherapy and Community Health in partnership with leading nurses and midwives, the pathways address contemporary Irish healthcare issues and prepare students to work in specialist areas.



Throughout your study, you’ll learn how to develop a person-centred approach to care, design a structured treatment plan, work as part of a multidisciplinary team, and develop your specialist knowledge and leadership skills to enhance practice and improve patient outcomes.



Blending theory with practice

Theory is mostly taught online, while you’ll gain supervised practical experience and some skills are developed in our labs..



Once you graduate, you will have enhanced practice in your specialist area of care, with respect to assessment, novel treatment modes, health promotion approaches, research-based practice and health policy pertinent to your specialism.



The MSc in Specialist Nursing offers two specialist pathways, students must choose one of the following:



Chronic Disease Management

Women's Health

Year 1

Students will complete the following core modules:



Health Communications and Digital Solutions

Research and Evaluation Methods

Students will also complete the modules relevant to their chosen specialist pathway.



Women's Health: Women’s Health Specialist 1 / Women’s Health Specialist 2



Chronic Disease Management: Adult Chronic Disease Management Specialist 1 / Adult Chronic Disease Management Specialist 2



Students also choose one of the following optional modules in year one:



Palliative and End-of-Life Care

Person-Centred Dementia

Adult Physical Assessment and Intervention



Year 2

In year two students will complete a Nursing Leadership and Change Management module. Students will also complete a year-long supervised Practice Development OR Research Dissertation module.

Applicants will typically hold a (NFQ) Level 8 Honours Degree with a H2.2 or equivalent. Candidates will generally hold a primary degree in a relevant discipline.



In addition, candidates must:



be currently registered in one of the following four divisions of the Register of Nurses maintained by NMBI: General Nursing; Psychiatric Nursing; Intellectual Disability Nursing or Children’s Nursing.

have a minimum of 12 months post registration experience, which should be 12 months full-time experience OR 24 months at minimum of 19.5 FTE.

Applicants must be employed for a minimum of 19.5 hours per week or 0.5 FTE.

be currently employed in the specialist area/setting and provide written evidence from their line manager that they will be supported in completing the minimum required hours of practice, including the clinical practicum. This must be completed using this template:msc-specialist-nursing-clinical-experience-template_0.pdf

Due to the specialist nature of this programme, additional criteria may be used to assess suitability to undertake this programme. For further information, please contact the Programme Chair using the contact details above.

In line with DCU’s (2019) Recognition of Prior Learning Policy, candidates who do not have the appropriate level of academic attainment for direct entry may apply for access via the Recognition of Prior Learning process (RPL). Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) applicants are required to submit a cover letter along with their application under the Transcripts section of the portal, affirming their intent to apply for RPL.



Prior learning may be formal accredited learning or experiential/uncertified learning which includes the knowledge, skills and personal qualities acquired through life, work experience and study which are not formally attested. Prospective students may apply through the RPL route if they meet one or more of the following entry 4 requirements:



• Relevant learning, qualifications and experience within their RPL application



• Holding a position or role related to health or social care, health and social inclusion promotion, or a related area



• Holding an appointment or professional position in the domain



• Professional qualifications in the domain, with clear articulation of intention to progress to work in the domain

2 years part-time, blended learning.

Careers

The programme prepares graduates to advance their career in specific clinical specialist areas and in leadership and management positions within the health care service.