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NUI Galway

Nursing - Public Health Nursing

Your Course
The Postgraduate Diploma/Master's in Health Sciences (Public Health Nursing) is run over two academic years. Candidates registering for this programme will complete the Postgraduate Diploma in health sciences (Public Health Nursing) in year one and upon successful completion can register with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland as a public health nurse. To successfully complete the Postgraduate Diploma, students must complete modules totalling 60 ECTS. Year One of this programme is offered by the School of Nursing and Midwifery, NUI Galway, and the Health Service Executive. Students may opt to progress on to the Master of Health Sciences (Public Health Nursing), totalling 30 ECTS in Year Two. Entry to the Master's programme is subject to the student achieving 60% on the aggregate of the Postgraduate Diploma modules undertaken in Year One. Students who are eligible for the award of Postgraduate Diploma may progress to undertake the MHSc within four years of first entering the programme. Year Two of this programme is offered by the School of Nursing and Midwifery, NUI Galway, and is not sponsored by the Health Service Executive.

Entry requirements

Minimum Entry Requirements
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
• Be registered in the General Division of the Register of Nurses maintained by Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI);

• Candidates must be a registered general nurse (RGN) and have a minimum of three years' postregistration experience as an RGN within the past seven years, working 39 hours per week*, or its equivalent within the last seven years if working less hours. * From 08/04/2009 to 30/06/2013 working 37.5 hours per week (please see HSE application for specific criteria re experiential eligibility, available at the following link www.hse.ie/eng/staff/Jobs/ Job_Search/Nursing/PHNSponsorship);

• Unless the candidate's name is registered in the Midwives division of the Register maintained by Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI), the candidate must complete a Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) (2005) approved module of study on child and maternal health as part of the programme;

• Applicants must satisfy the selection/admission committee that they have the ability to complete the programme;

• Fluency in English or evidence of Level 7.0 in IELTS academic test;

• Hold an QQI Level 8 qualification (honours degree or Higher Diploma) or proof of equivalency;

• Applicants must demonstrate that they have undertaken a programme of study at National Qualification Framework, academic Level 8. The academic transcript provided will be used as evidence to demonstrate this, and it should be for the highest level award;

• To be eligible for the award of the Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing (Public Health Nursing), candidates must meet in full the requirements for registration specified by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).

Duration

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

Careers or further progression

Career Opportunities
As a graduate, you will have the opportunity to practice 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.