Overview

Note: This programme has been revised. Students who enter the programme from 2018/19 onwards follow the curriculum detailed below. Students who entered prior to 2018/19 follow the curriculum detailed here.

This is a four-year (four and a half years in the case of CK712), full-time undergraduate registration programme, leading to the award of a BSc (Hons).

• On successful completion of the programme, students on CK710, CK720 and CK730 will also be recommended to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland for registration as a nurse in one of the following divisions of Nursing: General Nursing, Mental Health Nursing or Intellectual Disability Nursing.
• On successful completion of the programme, students on CK712 will also be recommended to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland for registration as a nurse in both the Children's Nursing and General Nursing divisions.

Students must take modules specific to General Nursing, Children's and General (Integrated) Nursing, Intellectual Disability Nursing or Mental Health Nursing in order to register in the relevant division(s).

Attendance

Full attendance is required at all scheduled teaching activities in all modules, including at clinical placement. Where this does not occur, students will be expected to satisfactorily explain and support with evidence (e.g. medical illness certificates, explanation of other mitigating circumstances causing non-attendance) all absences and this must be considered acceptable by the relevant module coordinator(s) and Head of the School of Nursing and Midwifery. Unavoidable planned absence must be discussed and agreed with each module coordinator(s) of affected module(s) in advance. Each situation will be assessed on an individual basis. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in a student being deemed not to have fulfilled the requirements for entry to the subsequent examination. These regulations apply also to students who are studying for the qualifications of some other regulatory body. The Deputy President and Registrar, UCC will certify whether or not the student's attendance has been satisfactory on the basis of recommendations from Head of the School of Nursing and Midwifery.

Repeat Year Arrangements

Students who entered the programme prior to 2018/19 and are required subsequently to repeat one or more modules in a repeat year will do so under the revised curriculum and associated regulations (detailed on this page). In the event that a student fails one or more modules that are not available in the repeat year, special repeat arrangements will be made for that student. This may entail studying new material (not previously covered in the old curriculum) in the repeat year, as part or whole substitution for the module(s) failed, and/or may require students to take equivalent credits in the repeat year and/or subsequent years. A similar arrangement will apply for students who take a year or more leave of absence.

First Year - Nursing

In order to be admitted to the First University Examination in Nursing, each student must have attended theory modules in Part A to the value of 50 credits and a Practice Module in Part B to the value of 10 credits.

Second Year - Nursing

A student may not register for the Second Year of the programme until the First University Examination in Nursing and the relevant Part B module have been passed. In order to be admitted to the Second University Examination in Nursing, each student must have attended theory modules in Part A to the value of 50 credits and a Practice Module in Part B to the value of 10 credits.

Note: Advanced Entry

Successful advanced entry applicants into Second Year of the BSc (Hons) Nursing programme may be required to undertake NU2101 (5 credits) in addition to the 60 credits in Second Year, making a total of 65 credits. Applicants into BSc (Hons) Nursing (Intellectual Disability) may also be required to undertake NU2102 (5 credits) in addition to the 60 credits in Second Year.

Alternative Pathway for Students Not Completing Second University Examination in Nursing

The Diploma in Health Studies, NFQ Level 6, is an alternative diploma pathway for students who do not satisfy the pass standard for the Part B practice module in the chosen area of specialisation (NU2063, NU2068, NU2081 or NU2086). Students who do not pass the Part B practice module for Year 2 of the BSc (Hons) Nursing either on the first and repeat attempts as per the module descriptor will re-register for the alternative pathway - the non-clinical Diploma in Health Studies. This pathway does not confer eligibility to practice as a Registered Nurse.

To complete the Diploma in Health Studies, a student must pass all Part A modules for the second BSc Nursing Examinations and achieve a pass in the Part B independent study module NU2074 (10 credits). Students who complete the Part B study module are required to exit the programme with a Diploma in Health Studies award. 

Diploma in Health Studies

• Diploma in Health Studies (General)
• Diploma in Health Studies (Intellectual Disability)
• Diploma in Health Studies (Mental Health)
• Diploma in Health Studies (Children's and General - Integrated)

Third Year - Nursing

A student may not register for the Third Year of the programme until the Second University Examination in Nursing and the appropriate Part B module have been passed. In order to be admitted to the Third University Examination in Nursing, each student must have attended theory modules as detailed in Part A to the value of 50 credits and a Practice Module in Part B to the value of 10 credits.

Alternative Pathway for Students Not Completing Third University Examination in Nursing

The BSc Health Studies, NFQ Level 7, is an alternative ordinary bachelor's degree pathway for students who do not satisfy the pass standard for the Part B practice module in the chosen area of specialisation (NU3054, NU3068, NU3082 or NU3086). Students who do not pass the Part B practice module for Year 3 of the BSc (Hons) Nursing either on the first and repeat attempts as per the module descriptor will re-register instead for the non-clinical BSc Health Studies. This pathway does not confer eligibility to practice as a Registered Nurse.

To complete the BSc Health Studies, a student must pass all Part A modules for the third-year BSc Nursing Examinations and achieve a pass in the Part B independent study module NU3046 (10 credits). Students who complete the Part B study module are required to exit the programme with a BSc Health Studies award. 

BSc (Ord) (Health Studies)

• BSc (Ord) (Health Studies) (General)
• BSc (Ord) (Health Studies) (Intellectual Disability)
• BSc (Ord) (Health Studies) (Mental Health)
• BSc (Ord) Health Studies (Children's and General - Integrated)

Fourth Year - Nursing

A student may not register for the Fourth Year of the programme until the Third University Examination in Nursing and the relevant Part B module have been passed. In order to be admitted to the Fourth University Examination in Nursing, each student must have attended theory modules in Part A to the value of 45 (or 50 credits for Children's and General (Integrated) Nursing) and a Practice Module in Part B to the value of 15 credits (or 10 credits for Children's and General (Integrated) Nursing).

Alternative Pathway for Students Not Completing Fourth University Examination in Nursing

The BSc (Hons) Health Studies, NFQ Level 8, is an honours bachelors' degree pathway for students who do not satisfy the pass standard for the Part B practice module in the chosen area of specialisation (NU4069, NU4083, NU4087 or NU4094). Students who do not pass the Part B practice module for Year 4 of the BSc (Hons) Nursing either on the first and repeat attempts as per the module descriptor will re-register for the non-clinical BSc (Hons) Health Studies. This pathway does not confer eligibility to practice as a Registered Nurse.

To complete the BSc Health Studies, a student must pass all Part A modules for the fourth-year BSc Nursing Examinations and achieve a pass in the Part B independent study module NU4091 (15 credits) or NU4080 (10 credits for Children's and General (Integrated) Nursing). 

BSc (Hons) (Health Studies)

• BSc (Hons) (Health Studies) (General)
• BSc (Hons) (Health Studies) (Intellectual Disability)
• BSc (Hons) (Health Studies) (Mental Health)
• BSc (Hons) Health Studies (Children's and General - Integrated)

Fifth Year - Nursing

Children's and General (Integrated) Nursing Practice

A student on the Children's and General (Integrated) pathway may not graduate without achieving a pass in the Fifth University Examination involving a practice module.

Alternative Pathway for Students Not Completing Fifth University Examination in Nursing

The BSc (Hons) Health Studies, NFQ Level 8, is an honours bachelors' degree pathway for students who do not satisfy the pass standard for the Part B practice module in the chosen area of specialisation (NU5075). BSc (Nursing) - Children's and General (Integrated) students who do not pass the Part B practice module for Year 5 of the BSc (Hons) Nursing either on the first and repeat attempts as per the module descriptor will re-register for the non-clinical BSc (Hons) Health Studies. This pathway does not confer eligibility to practice as a Registered Nurse.

To complete the BSc (Hons) Health Studies, a student must pass all Part A modules for the fourth-year BSc Nursing Examinations and achieve a pass in the Part B independent study module NU4080 (10 credits). Students who complete the Part B Study Module are required to exit the programme with a BSc (Hon) Health Studies award.

BSc (Hons) (Health Studies)

• BSc (Hons) Health Studies (Children's and General - Integrated)

Alternative Pathways

Diploma in Health Studies

• Diploma in Health Studies (General)
• Diploma in Health Studies (Intellectual Disability)
• Diploma in Health Studies (Mental Health)
• Diploma in Health Studies (Children's and General - Integrated)

BSc (Ord) (Health Studies)

• BSc (Ord) (Health Studies) (General)
• BSc (Ord) (Health Studies) (Intellectual Disability)
• BSc (Ord) (Health Studies) (Mental Health)
• BSc (Ord) Health Studies (Children's and General - Integrated)

BSc (Hons) (Health Studies)

• BSc (Hons) (Health Studies) (General)
• BSc (Hons) (Health Studies) (Intellectual Disability)
• BSc (Hons) (Health Studies) (Mental Health)
• BSc (Hons) Health Studies (Children's and General - Integrated)

Programme Requirements

For information about modules, module choice, options and credit weightings, please go to Programme Requirements. 

Programme Requirements

Module List

Code	Title	Credits
Year 1
Students take 60 credits as follows – all listed core modules (50 credits) in Part A and 10 credits in Part B:
Year 1 - Part A
Core Modules
NU1026	Academic Writing, Information Technology and Evidence-Based Nursing Practice	5
NU1032	Fundamental Knowledge and Skills for Nursing Practice	10
NU1040	Infection Prevention and Control for Nursing and Midwifery Practice	5
SC1015	Sociological Concepts for Nursing	5
NU1047	Interpersonal Skills for Nursing Practice and Psychology for Healthcare	10
NU1050	The Foundations of Contemporary Intellectual Disability Nursing	5
NU1066	Supporting Individuals with a Specific Intellectual Disability I	10
Year 1 - Part B
Practice Module
NU1051	Intellectual Disability Nursing Practice	10
Year 2
Students take 60 credits as follows – all listed core modules (50 credits) in Part A and 10 credits in Part B:
Year 2 - Part A
Core Modules
NU2003	Pharmacology and Medication Management for Nurses and Midwives	5
NU2050	Research for Evidence Based Nursing and Midwifery Care	5
NU2064	Health, Life-Cycle - Perspectives on Maternity Care and Child Health Nursing	5
NU2078	Health Care Needs of People with Intellectual Disabilities across the Lifespan I	15
NU2088	Healthcare Needs of People with Intellectual Disabilities across the Lifespan II	10
NU2090	Assessment of and Communication with People with Intellectual Disability	5
NU2099	Supporting People with Behaviours that Challenge	5
Year 2 - Part B
Practice Module
NU2081	Intellectual Disability Nursing Practice	10
Year 3
Students take 60 credits as follows – all listed core modules (50 credits) in Part A and 10 credits in Part B:
Year 3 - Part A
Core Modules
NU3076	Professional and Disciplinary Learning for Nursing Practice	5
NU3083	Research for Evidence-based Nursing and Midwifery Care	5
NU3047	Supporting Individuals with a Specific Intellectual Disability II	10
NU3096	Health Needs of People with an Intellectual Disability across the Lifespan III	15
NU3097	Supporting People with a Mental Health Diagnosis and an Intellectual Disability	5
NU3101	Adolescence to Young Adulthood in ID Nursing	5
NU3102	Growing Older with an Intellectual Disability in the 21st Century	5
Year 3 - Part B
Practice Module
NU3086	Intellectual Disability Nursing Practice	10
Year 4
Students take 60 credits as follows – all listed core modules (40 credits) and a 5 credit elective module in Part A and 15 credits in Part B:
Year 4 - Part A
Core Modules
NU4073	Research for Evidence Based Nursing and Midwifery Care	10
NU4074	The Profession and Discipline of Nursing: Ethics, Law, and Safety in Healthcare	10
NU4067	Therapeutic Interpersonal Skills for Intellectual Disability Nursing Practice	5
NU4068	Valuing People with Intellectual Disabilities and their Families	10
NU4010	Leadership and Team Working for Intellectual Disability Nursing Practice	5
Elective Modules		5
Students take 5 credits from the following:
IP3008	Palliative Care: An Interdisciplinary Approach (5)
NU4025	Health Care Informatics for Nursing and Midwifery (5)
NU4034	Complementary Therapies in Healthcare (5)
NU4037	Wound Management (5)
NU4041	Ethical and Legal Decision Making at the End of Life (5)
NU4115	Healthcare and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (5)
NU4116	LGBTQI+ Inclusion in Nursing & Midwifery (5)
NU4117	Mental Health in Film: Critical Approaches (5)
NU4118	Pastoral Education for Healthcare (5)
Year 4 - Part B
Practice Module
NU4069	Intellectual Disability Nursing Practice	15
Total Credits		240

Examinations

Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards Book and for each module in the Book of Modules.

Programme Learning Outcomes

Programme Learning Outcomes for BSc (Hons) (Nursing) (NFQ Level 8, Major Award)

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Acquire the knowledge, professional values and discipline specific competencies to fulfil the role of the Registered Nurse to deliver safe, high quality, compassionate, ethical, legal and accountable practice across the life spectrum and in diverse health care settings;
  
• Demonstrate knowledge, clinical skills and professional behaviours that are underpinned by the Scope of Nursing and Midwifery Practice Framework (NMBI 2015) and the Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics for Registered Nurse and Registered Midwives (NMBI 2014);
  
• Practise as a competent Registered Nurse to assess, plan, prioritise, deliver and evaluate nursing care based on a comprehensive and systematic assessment of health and nursing needs in consultation with the person receiving such care, their representative and the multi-disciplinary team;
  
• Apply theoretical principles to the practice of nursing using professional judgement, critical reasoning, problem-solving and reflection derived from an evidence base of nursing and from the applied life, health and social sciences;
  
• Deliver person-centred, high quality, facilitative, supportive and safe nursing care based on a collaborative relationship with a person receiving such care, that respects her/his dignity, autonomy, self-determination and rights to make health and life choices across the health spectrum;
  
• Demonstrate skills of effective communication, delegation, inter-professional liaison and team working to promote the quality and safety of the health care environment;
  
• Maintain competence to develop and enhance the capacity for self-awareness, reflective practice, analysis, critical thinking, problem solving, leadership and professional scholarship;
  
• Apply evidence from an appraisal of research studies relevant to the division of nursing to the practice of nursing.