The Postgraduate Diploma in Intensive Care Nursing is an exciting new pathway of the MSc/Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing Programme and will be delivered in blended learning format over one academic year.
In response to the ever-changing health care delivery system, intensive care nurses need to be educated and prepared to the highest standards in order to competently address the needs of the patient and the family, improve standards of care, maintain patient safety, engage in interdisciplinary collaboration and develop healthy work environments. The aim of this programme is to challenge nurses to think critically and creatively about intensive care nursing and to enable students to develop their knowledge and skills in pace with developments in the critical care environment. It further aims to provide students with a platform from which to further their academic and professional portfolio.
Course Practicalities
Each module is allocated a total of either 5 or 10 credits. Each 10 credit module has an estimated 200 hours' student workload, and each 5 credit module has an estimated 100 hours' student workload. The estimated workload is further broken down into the approximate time required to complete the online learning component (incl. required reading; assignment preparation and submission, and self-directed learning) and to attend scheduled lectures and workshops. The online learning component for 10 credit modules can vary from 152 hours to 184 hours with the remaining hours being allocated to lectures/tutorials/workshops. The online learning component for 5 credit modules can vary from 76 hours to 90 hours with the remaining hours being allocated to lectures/tutorials/workshops. Each 10 credit model runs for 6 weeks* and each 5 credit module runs for 4 weeks. The practice modules involve direct clinical placement learning to meet Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland requirements.
* NOTE: Students who have not completed an accredited National Foundation module in Critical Care Nursing must take NU6171 Principles in Intensive Care Nursing (10 credits) which runs over semesters 1 and 2.
Semester 1 - September to December (16 weeks) contains 2 x 10 credit modules and 2 x 5 credit modules, one of which is a clinical practicum which is undertaken in the students home Intensive Care Unit over the course of the semester. Each theory module includes a total of 1-3 days on-campus attendance at lectures/tutorials/workshops. The remainder of content is delivered online using UCC's virtual learning platform. Learning strategies include module study guides, discussion boards, audio/visual resources and online assessments/activities.
Semester 2 - January to May (16 weeks) contains 2 x 10 credit modules and 2 x 5 credit modules one of which is a clinical practicum which is undertaken in the students home Intensive Care Unit over the course of the semester. Each theory module includes a total of 1-3 days on-campus attendance at lectures/tutorials/workshops. The remainder of content is delivered online using UCC's virtual learning platform. Learning strategies include module study guides, discussion boards, audio/visual resources and online assessments/activities.
Prior to commencing the course each student taking a blended module will be provided with an orientation to Blackboard and training on how to use the online technology within the course. IT support will be given to students throughout the duration of the course.
Who teaches this course
Our UCC academic staff are experts in their field with PhDs or MScs and significant specialist clinical practice experience. All online material is developed by academic staff, expert clinicians, and Instructional Designers. Expert clinicians from various Health Service providers are invited to assist in the delivery of lectures/tutorials/workshops.
Why Choose This Course
Through its blended learning mode of delivery, the Postgraduate Diploma in Intensive Care Nursing offers nurses a flexible option to study while continuing to work and validate their professional experience.
The postgraduate Diploma in Intensive Care Nursing is delivered over one academic year. On successful completion students can progress to the MSc in Nursing.
The Post Graduate Diploma in Intensive Care Nursing offers specialist modules to the value of 30 credits. These specialist modules incorporate a range of high fidelity simulation workshops in both the School of Nursing and Midwifery's state of the art Clinical Skills Simulation Laboratory and UCC's ASSERT centre. All specialist modules have been developed in collaboration with expert clinicians and educationalists to ensure students exit the programme with the knowledge and skills required to safely and competently care for the critically ill patient.