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University College Dublin

Advanced Practice Prescribing Pathway

The MSc Nursing (Advanced Practice) (Prescribing Pathway) 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).

Who is the programme for?
The MSc Nursing (Advanced Practice) (Prescribing Pathway) 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).

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 has occurred through collaboration between the HSE, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems, School of Biology and Biological Sciences and with the staff of the UCD School of Medicine and Medical Science.

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 through caseload management of acute and/or chronic illness. You will also gain the knowledge and experience to become a nurse prescriber in medication.

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 and as a registered nurse prescriber with An Bord Altranais.

Highly focused on advancing clinical practice
This programme was the first of its kind in Ireland and 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.

Networking
The student body who choose to undertake the MSc Nursing (Advanced Practice) (Prescribing Pathway) 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.

Entry requirements

Applicants must be registered as professional nurse or midwife on the live register maintained by NMBI
Applicants must have a primary degree in nursing or a related subject, or hold an equivalent qualification
Applicants must have a minimum of five years post-registration experience
Applicants must have three years in the chosen area of specialist practice
Applicants must provide evidence of continuing professional development
Applicants must provide documented support from the Director of Nursing and Physician in current practice setting.
Applicants must designate a mentor who will provide support and supervision in practice
Applicants must submit site audit form for prescribing modules
Applicants must submit site declaration form for prescribing modules

In addition, applicants must:
Provide a signed Site declaration form for prescribing modules
Provide a site audit form for prescribing modules
Nomination and confirmation of a designated medical practitioner mentor who will support the student in endoscopy skills training
Seek support from an employer to undertake the programme
Possess IT competencies

Duration

2 years part-time.

Careers or further progression

Careers / where can I go?
Prior to coming on the MSc Nursing (Advanced Practice) (Prescribing Pathway) it is necessary to identify, with your Director of Nursing, an advanced practice role in response to patient need. While on the programme your focus will be on developing the appropriate knowledge and skills to enable you to work as an advanced nurse practitioner. With your newly-developed advanced knowledge, clinical skills, leadership and research skills, you can work as an advanced nurse practitioner candidate and apply for registration as an advanced nurse practitioner and nurse prescriber with An Bord Altranais.

You may wish to extend your project work and undertake a research degree.

Further enquiries

Bernadette Manley
Bernadette.Manley@ucd.ie
Tel: +353 1 716 6499

Dr Rita Smith
 Lecturer
 B305, UCD Health Sciences Centre
Tel: +353 1 716 6421
email: Rita.Smith@ucd.ie

Subjects taught

Programme structure
This is a part-time degree, taking place over 2 years. The programme starts in September and ends in May. Classes take place on Mondays in Semesters 1 and 2 and also on Wednesdays in Semester 2. The Dissertation is carried out over Semester 1 & 2 in Year 2. In addition the students undertake clinical practicums where theory and clinical modules are applied directly to patient care.

Curriculum
The programme takes place over two academic years. The programme is comprised of two core modules, four advanced practice modules, two advanced research modules and three modules related to prescribing of medications. Lecturers work closely with you and your clinical mentor to ensure the course objectives are met. You complete a dissertation due for submission at the end of Year 2. You are allocated a supervisor at the beginning of the programme to support you in completing your project.

Students take the following modules and complete a dissertation:
Advanced Health Assessment
Nursing Knowledge: Philosophy & Practice
Research Methods Applied to Healthcare
Holistic Approaches: Prescribing
Context of Practice: Prescribing
Advanced Research Methods Applied to Healthcare
Leadership & Organisational Dynamics
Decision Analysis in Case Management
Dissertation
2 x Clinical Practicums

Comment

Documents to be submitted with your application

Academic Transcripts including date and grading of Degree award (non UCD only)
Current photocopy of NMBI registration and pin
Copy of Birth Certificate or Personal Pages of Passport (non UCD only)
Professional Reference Form
Evidence of continuing professional development
Documented support from Director of Nursing and Physician/Consultant in your practice setting
Designate a mentor who will provide support and supervision in practice
Evidence of proficiency in English language (applicants whose first language is not English)

Supporting Documents

Application date

Closing Date: 30th June 2018

Applications are made online through UCD Applications. Applicants may be required to undertake an interview (either face-to-face or via telecommunication) as part of the admission process.