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NUI Galway

Nursing - Public Health Nursing

Your Course
The Master/Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (Public Health Nursing) runs over two academic years. Candidates registering for this programme 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).

Students on successful completion of Year One may opt out of the programme and will be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (Public Health Nursing). Students must achieve 60% on the aggregate of modules undertaken in year one to progress to Year Two. Students who have indicated to opt out on completion of year one will not progress to year two. Year one is currently sponsored by the Health Service Executive (HSE). Year Two of this programme is offered by the School of Nursing and Midwifery, NUI Galway, and is not sponsored by the HSE.

Entry requirements

Minimum Entry Requirements

• 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 thee 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 Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland (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.

• Applicants whose first language or primary language of expression is not English must provide evidence that their English language ability meets the required standard for admission. The minimum required score is 7.0 on the IELTS assessment test.

• Unless the candidate's name is registered in the midwives division of the register maintained by NMBI, the candidate 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 Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing (Public Health Nursing).

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 practise autonomously within a community setting. You will have developed specific knowledge that will enable you, as a community practitioner, to provide primary healthcare and target public health issues in the community.