Overview

The MSc (Nursing) programme comprising of 7 clinical pathways is structured into 2 parts and will typically be completed over 2 years from the date of first registration for the programme (i.e. 60 credits in Part 1 and 30 credits in Part 2).

All students will be registered for a Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing in their First Year and will be registered for a MSc in their Second Year. Students who opt to exit at the end of the first year will be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing upon successful completion and passing modules to the value of 60 credits (applicable to all pathways).

A student who subsequently wishes to continue progression for the degree of Master must complete the programme within 5 academic years from the date of successful completion of the Postgraduate Diploma Examinations, subject to the programme being available.

Note - Recognition of prior learning: Applicants who already have completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Nursing programme to the value to 30 credits will be granted exemptions for these modules in the relevant MSc/Postgraduate Diploma exit pathway (applicable to pathways 3, 8, and 11). For Pathway 2, applicants who have already completed NU5098 or equivalent to the value of 10 credits may be eligible for an exemption for NU6171.

Programme Requirements

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

Programme Requirements

Module List

Code	Title	Credits
Students take 60 credits as follows - all listed theory modules (50 credits) and 10 credits of clinical practice/practicum modules:
Theory Modules
NU6005	Evidence Based Practice for Healthcare Professionals	10
NU6031	Intensive Care Nursing	10
NU6053	Professional, Ethical, and Legal Decision-making in Practice	5
NU6070	Clinical Leadership & Management for Practice Enhancement in Nursing & Midwifery	10
NU6165	Health Assessment of the Critically Ill Patient	5
NU6171	Principles in Critical Care Nursing 1	10
Clinical Practice/Practicum modules
NU6130	Clinical Practice in Specialist Nursing 1	5
NU6131	Clinical Practice in Specialist Nursing 2	5
Total Credits		60

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Applicants who have already completed NU5098 or equivalent to the value of 10 credits may be eligible for an exemption for NU6171.

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 Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing (Intensive Care Nursing) (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)

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

• Enhance intensive care nursing practice through the application of theoretical, practical and policy knowledge and clinical skills;
  
• Exercise accountability within the clinical, ethical and professional boundaries of the role of intensive care nursing;
  
• Critically appraise, evaluate and integrate current research evidence and reflection for intensive care nursing and its implications for practice;
  
• Interpret and critically examine assessment results and data using supportive research to determine normal values and underlying pathophysiology for critically ill patients.
  
• Critically appraise the role of the Critical Care Nurse in the delivery of quality healthcare for individuals and families within the context of cardiac intensive care nursing;
  
• Conduct a comprehensive health needs assessment of the critically ill patient
  
• Utilise advanced knowledge and critical thinking skills to directly and indirectly provide optimum nursing care in the critical care environment.