Nursing - Waterford

A structured framework enables the student to further develop knowledge, skills and competencies in their specialist area of practice within one of seven elective module streams. Students will be required to nominate and obtain the consent of a senior clinician to act in the role of Clinical Supervisor and obtain confirmation from their service manager that they will be supported in practice. The programme aims to empower the student and prepare them for more advanced clinical and leadership roles in their chosen clinical field, as service needs require.

The Master of Science in Nursing consists of eight modules, equating to 90 credits at Level 9. There are six generic core modules and two elective modules (Developing Clinical Practice I & II) that the student takes within their specialist area of practice: Medical/Surgical Nursing; Mental Health Nursing; Maternal/Child Health Nursing; Intellectual Disability Nursing; Rehabilitation Nursing; Community Nursing; High Dependency Nursing*.

Core Modules:
Professional Caring in Context (5 credits):
The aim of this module is to enable the student to evaluate critically their clinical practice within the context of professional caring.

Clinical Governance (5 credits):
The aim of this module is to enable the student to analyse the issues involved in establishing clinical governance within the organisational context of health care related to their specialist area.

Research Methods (10 credits):
The aim of this module is to facilitate the further development of knowledge and skills for the critical utilisation of research evidence for practice and the planning of research to address gaps in practice knowledge.

Politics of Health Care (5 credits):
The aim of this module is to enable the student to critique the politico-legal factors that influence health care provision in their chosen clinical field.

Research Project I (5 Credits):
The Aim of this module is to enable the student to design a systematic investigation of a clinical/practice issue in their clinical field

Research Project II (30 Credits):
The Aim of this module is enable the student to conduct a systematic investigation of a clinical/practice issue in their clinical field.

Elective Modules:
Developing Clinical Practice I* (10 credits):
The aim of this module is to enable the student to analyse their role and identify essential skills and competencies to be integrated into a specific practice area.

Developing Clinical Practice II* (20 credits):
The aim of this module is to enable the student to advance their knowledge, understanding and competency in essential skills within a specific practice area.

*Students are required to choose from one of the following seven nomenclatures (Commission on Nursing 1998) within which to take both DCPI and DCPII:

High Dependency Nursing / Suitable for those working in areas such as coronary care, intensive therapy (psychiatry), neonatal intensive care nursing, renal nursing

Rehabilitation and Habilitation Nursing / Suitable for those working in areas such as care of the older adult, spinal injuries and palliative care nursing

Medical Surgical Nursing / Suitable for those working in areas such as oncology, infection control, stoma care, neurosciences and anaesthesia nursing

Maternal and Child Health Nursing / Suitable for those working in areas such as maternity, ultrasonography, paediatric cardiology and paediatric oncology nursing

Community Health Nursing / Suitable for those working in areas such as health education and health promotion, family development and community mental health services

Mental Health Nursing / Suitable for those working in areas such as addiction counselling and behaviour therapy

Intellectual Disability Nursing / Suitable for those working in areas such as sensory stimulation and challenging behaviour

All Applicants should meet the following entry requirements:
•Be a registered nurse/midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).

•Hold an honours degree in nursing or hold another recognised qualification which is approved as a suitable alternative to a primary degree OR submit a portfolio for accreditation of prior experiential learning for consideration.

•Have two years post registration experience. This must include no less than one year's engagement (whole time equivalent) in the specialist area they choose to study.

•Be currently engaged in clinical practice - a minimum of 20 hours per week.

•Have support from their Director of Nursing and Clinical Nurse Manager to undertake the course.

•Nominate and have confirmation of support of a Clinical Supervisor*

•Applicants whose first language is not English must submit evidence of competency in English, please see WIT's English Language Requirements for details.

Confirmation of support & nomination of a Clinical Supervisor:
A learning approach that is work located means it is important that we ensure students are supported in the practice area. Students will be required to obtain confirmation from their service manager that they will be supported in their chosen clinical field. It is also an expectation of the course that the student will nominate and obtain the consent of a senior clinician to act in the role of Clinical Supervisor.

A nominated clinical supervisor must:
•Be willing to take on the role of clinical supervisor.

•Have substantive experience at a senior clinical level in the student's chosen specialist clinical field.

•Have completed a preceptorship course or have an equivalent qualification/recognised experience in teaching and assessing.

•Have a recognised Level 9 postgraduate qualification in the student's specialist field.

APPLICATIONS CLOSING 25 Aug 23

18 months part-time/blended.

Delivery
The Master of Science in Nursing commences in September and is delivered over 18 months using blended learning approaches. Students are expected to attend class for lectures and workshops one day per fortnight (Tuesdays). Time is allocated on alternative weeks for enquiry group work and on-line learning. Students have an option to exit the programme after successfully completing 60 credits, with a Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing Award.

Delivery of modules over 3 semesters (18 months)