Who is the programme for?
The programme is aimed at advancing the registered nurse's repertoire of knowledge and skills in the care of children with cancer; it is particularly aimed at preparing the nurse to assume the role of clinical nurse specialist in this area.
What is the programme about?
The programme will enhance your existing knowledge and skills in caring for children with cancer.
Main programme objectives
The programme aims to develop the practitioner's capacities for caring and competent practice in Children's Cancer Nursing in order to prepare the nurse to provide patient-centred care within the health service.
The specific aims of the programme are:
- To build upon and advance the student's repertoire of knowledge, skills, attitudes and professional values that were developed during the course of his/her basic training and arising out of his/her experiences in clinical practice
- To provide the student with the requisite knowledge, skills, attitudes and professional values for the advancement of his / her role in the care of children with cancer including critical analysis, creative thinking, decision making and communication
- To develop a greater understanding of the theory which underpins Children's Cancer Nursing practice including theory in the social and behavioural sciences and theory in the biomedical sciences
- To provide learning experiences that advance the student's professional development and personal growth and experiences that affirm the student's capacity to be a self-directed learner
- To advance the student's sense of professional awareness, and commitment and a sense of professional responsibility and accountability in Children's Cancer Nursing
- To enable the student to value learning as a continuous process and as a necessary process in the context of his/her professional role in Children's Cancer Nursing
What will I learn?
The curriculum is designed to enhance your knowledge and skills with respect to the holistic assessment and management of children with cancer.
How will I benefit?
On successful completion of the programme, you will receive a Graduate Certificate in Nursing (Children's Cancer Nursing). This is a highly regarded qualification for nurses caring for children with cancer in Ireland.
Teaching methods
We use a range of teaching methods including lectures, workshops and seminars. Clinical teaching is undertaken by specialists in the clinical area with particular emphasis on assisting students in applying theory to practice. Clinical Placements provide students with excellent opportunities to learn from experts in other hospitals and/or within their own hospitals; students attend multidisciplinary team meetings, tutorials and engage in supervised practice in order to develop and refine specific clinical skills such as chemotherapy administration.
Information technology
It is essential that you have access to a personal computer and an email account as communication with students is primarily undertaken by email. Lecture handouts/announcements are made available to students via Blackboard (a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) that supports online learning and teaching) and/or via email. Messages from the university regarding examination policy and procedures are also sent via email.
Comment
This is a one (academic) year programme, broken down into two semesters.
Assessments are varied (assignments/short examination questions/MCQ/case presentation and clinical assessments (Clinical Competency Assessment Tool, Clinical Learning Outcomes, a practical examination (OSCE)) and occur at intervals throughout and at the end of the semesters.