The Master of Science Nursing Advanced Practice (Gastroenterology) programme is offered over two years. Students will attend classes at the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems at UCD. Clinical learning experiences will be facilitated at approved clinical sites. The governance structure of this programme is under a partnership approach with St Vincent's Hospital Group (SVHG) and the National Screening Services (NSS).
This programme will equip nurses with advanced knowledge and skills relevant to enhancing nursing practice. On completion of the programme successful applicants can apply for registration to become an advanced nurse practitioner (ANP) and a registered nurse prescriber with the Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI). Students are also prepared to practice as a Nurse Endoscopist under the guidance of a nominated Gastroenterologist / Consultant.
Who is this programme for?
The educational aim of the programme is to prepare nurses to become an Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP), a nurse prescriber in medication (RNP) and a nurse endoscopist in gastroenterology care. Advanced nursing practice is carried out by autonomous, experienced practitioners who are competent, accountable and responsible for their own practice.
Aims of the programme
This programme aims to provide nurses with a strong theoretical and clinical foundation in advanced practice, leadership and research methods, culminating in a Dissertation focused on your area of clinical practice. The development and implementation of the education programme for nurse and midwifery prescribing and nurse endoscopy skills training has occurred through collaboration between the HSE, School of Nursing, Midwifery & Health Systems, with the staff of the UCD School of Medicine and Medical Science and in partnership with St Vincents Hospital Group (SVHG).
What will I learn?
You will learn advanced nursing assessment and diagnostic skills and sharpen your analytical and critical thinking skills to enable you to independently provide optimum patient care. The clinical practicum modules of the programme are designed to provide clinical teaching and learning under the direction of a nominated mentor in Gastroenterology/Endoscopy. Key components of the programme, inclusive of theoretical and clinical learning, will be delivered in SVUH where students will have the necessary clinical exposure to support their learning needs.
How will I benefit?
The curriculum is designed to develop your advanced knowledge and skills to enable you to be competent to work as an advanced nurse practitioner. On successful completion of this programme you will be eligible to apply for registration as an Advanced Nurse Practitioner with The Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI). The programme will also prepare the student to practice locally as a nurse endoscopist under the guidance of a medical colleague.
Highly focused on advancing clinical practice
This programme is focused on developing advanced practical, leadership and research skills to enable graduates to be expert practitioners, researchers and clinical leaders.
Innovative modules
A central aspect of this programme is ensuring nurses develop the necessary assessment skills to carry out an advanced health assessment on patients. The use of clinical skills laboratories and clinical assessments in the students clinical area provide an interactive and innovative learning experience. Clinical practicums are a key component of the programme and involve self-directed learning and assessment, engagement with lecturers in the clinical environment and the supervision of a mentor. Endoscopy skills are developed at the students local clinical site under the supervision of the mentor.
Networking
The students who choose to undertake the Graduate Certificate Nursing Advanced Practice (Gastroenterology) are self-selecting and have a vision for nursing. They are already leaders in nursing in Ireland and are drawn from a wide variety of clinical specialisms and organisations, enabling the sharing of learning and experience between you and your class members, as well as from the academic staff. A student who chooses this programme wishes to become a nurse endoscopist.