The MSc in Nursing Studies is a part-time programme running over two academic years from the date of first registration for the programme.

There is an opportunity to exit the programme with a Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing Studies, provided a student has passed 60 credits in Year 1.

A number of modules may be offered using a blended learning approach with the majority of the content of these modules delivered in an online mode.

Entry to Year 1
Applicants for the MSc in Nursing Studies should normally:
(a) have a minimum of an honours primary degree in Nursing, Midwifery or equivalent qualification approved by the College of Medicine and Health;
(b) hold professional registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland or be eligible for such registration.

Recognition of prior learning:
Applicants who have undertaken relevant studies may be exempt from particular modules at the discretion of the Head of the School of Nursing and Midwifery.

Applicants who have completed a Certificate in Nurse/Midwife Prescribing will be granted credit exemptions on submission of a portfolio of professional development in Nurse or Midwife Prescribing. This will be at the discretion of the Head of the School of Nursing and Midwifery.

Direct Entry to Year 2
The following applicants are eligible to apply for entry to Year 2:

1. Applicants who have completed a Higher Diploma/Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing or Midwifery or Public Health Nursing in the previous 5 academic years, subject to the programme being available;

2. Applicants who have completed (but who have not yet been conferred with) a Higher Diploma/Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing or Midwifery or Public Health Nursing. Such applicants should fulfil the following criteria:

Applicants who hold an honours primary degree in Nursing, Midwifery or equivalent must normally achieve a pass in the Higher Diploma/Postgraduate Diploma examination.

NOTE: In exceptional circumstances applicants who do not fulfil the entry requirements may be recommended for entry to the programme following a review of their individual qualifications and experience by the programme committee. Such applicants may be invited for interview to satisfy the selection committee of their suitability for the programme. Admission of such applicants will be subject to the approval of the School of Nursing and Midwifery.

Two Year Rule
Students of Nursing must pass/progress within two academic years of first registration for each year of the programme, otherwise they cannot continue in the programme. After failing a re-sit examination, students may be allowed to repeat the year. Any individual year can be repeated only once, however, a maximum of two failed years may be repeated during a student's programme of studies. Thus, students must complete their studies ordinarily within four years of registering for the MSc (Nursing Studies) programme.

Students take 90 credits as follows:

Year 1

Core modules:

NU6005 Research Methods (10 credits)
NU6070 Practice Enhancement for Nursing (10 credits)
NU6201 Personal and Professional Portfolio (10 credits)

plus elective modules (subject to availability*) to the value of 30 credits to be chosen from the following:

NU6019 Person Centred Care (10 credits)
NU6074 Nursing and Midwifery Management and Development (10 credits)
NU6076 Evidence Based Nursing and Midwifery Practice (10 credits)
NU6120 Patient Safety (10 credits)
NU6125 Nursing or Midwifery Studies for Professional Practice (10 credits)

* Not all modules will be offered each year.

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module descriptions may be found here.

Year 2
MH6014 Advanced Research Methods for Healthcare Professionals (10 credits)
NU6073 Dissertation in Nursing (20 credits)

*Alternatively students may take up to a maximum of 10 credits, relevant to the MSc programme with the approval of the School of Nursing and Midwifery and subject to timetabling restraints, in lieu of 10 credits above.

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.
Exit award: Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing Studies (60 credits)
Upon successful completion and passing Year 1 modules to the value of 60 credits students may exit the programme with a Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing Studies.

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: A student may not register for the Second Year of the programme until the First University Examination for the MSc (Nursing Studies) has been passed. However, under certain circumstances (outlined under Direct Entry to Year 2 above), students may be eligible for Direct Entry to Year 2, without having taken the First University Examination.

Examinations
Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2017 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules 2016/2017.

See also General Regulations for the Degree of Master.

Programme Learning Outcomes for MSc (Nursing Studies) (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• exercise enhanced personal and professional competence through accountability and autonomy in professional practice;
• practise with greater insight of the research-base, ethical, socio-political and professional underpinnings of nursing/midwifery and health care in Ireland;
• demonstrate higher levels of judgement in the practice of nursing/midwifery through the generation of nursing knowledge for innovative nursing and midwifery practice;
• act as innovators and leaders in a chosen area and contribute to practice development and best practice;
• demonstrate vision of professional practice that can be developed beyond scope of practice;
• demonstrate critical inquiry, research evaluation and synthesis skills to the study of a discrete area of professional practice.

Programme Learning Outcomes for Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing Studies (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
On successful completion of these programme pathways, students should be able to:

• exercise enhanced personal and professional competence through accountability and autonomy in professional practice;
• practise with greater insight of the research-base, ethical, socio-political and professional underpinnings of nursing/midwifery and health care in Ireland;
• critically reflect on the process of enhancing the contribution of nursing to the delivery of patient care;
• systematically and critically review research evidence as applied to an area of professional practice;
• critically reflect on how practitioners engage with evidence based practice.