The MSc in Nursing programme comprising of 11 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 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 - see below).

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, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11).

PROGRAMME PATHWAYS
There are 11 clinical pathways to the degree of Masters in Nursing, all of which have an exit route available for the award of a Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing. The pathways to degree of Masters including Postgraduate Diploma exit route are as follows:

Pathway 1: Emergency Nursing
Pathway 2: Cardiac and Intensive Care Nursing
Pathway 3: Gerontological Nursing
Pathway 4: Peri-operative Nursing (not on offer in 2017/18)
Pathway 5: Recovery-focused Mental Health Nursing
Pathway 6: Neonatology Nursing
Pathway 7: Contemporary Issues in Intellectual Disabilities (not on offer in 2017/18)
Pathway 8: Medical and Surgical Nursing
Pathway 9: Nursing in the Community (not on offer in 2017/18)
Pathway 10: Orthopaedic Nursing (not on offer in 2017/18)
Pathway 11: Oncology Nursing

Applicants for the MSc in Nursing, including Postgraduate Diploma exit route, should normally:

(a) hold active registration on a division of the professional register maintained by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland or be eligible for such registration as required for individual pathways:

• Pathways 1, 2, 8, 10 and 11: Applicants must be Registered General Nurses
• Pathway 3: Applicants must be Registered General Nurses or Registered Intellectual Disability Nurses or Registered Psychiatric Nurses
• Pathway 4: Applicants must be Registered General Nurses or Registered Midwives
• Pathway 5: Applicants must be Registered Psychiatric Nurses
• Pathway 6: Applicants must be Registered General Nurses or Registered Midwives
• Pathway 7: Applicants must be Registered Nurses in Intellectual Disability or Registered General Nurses/Registered Children's Nurses/Registered Psychiatric Nurses currently working in an intellectual disability setting
• Pathway 9: Applicants must be either Registered General Nurses or Registered Intellectual Disability Nurses or Registered Children's Nurses or Registered Psychiatric Nurses or Registered Midwives

(b) have clinical practice experience (and support structures, if applicable) as required for individual pathways:

• Pathways 1, 2 and 4: Applicants must have a minimum of six months of post-registration experience (excluding courses) and at least six months experience in the speciality pathway applied for. In addition applicants must be certified in Basic Life Support (BLS).
• Pathways 3, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 11: Applicants must have a minimum of six months of post-registration experience (excluding courses) and at least six months experience in the speciality pathway applied for.
• Pathway 7: Applicants who are Registered Nurses in Intellectual Disability must have a minimum of six months of post registration experience (excluding courses) and at least six months experience in intellectual disability nursing OR if a Registered General/Children's/Psychiatric nurse must have a minimum of four years post-registration experience (excluding courses) in intellectual disability nursing.
• Pathway 10: No experience required but must work in orthopaedic speciality area.

Note: For Pathways 3, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 prospective students who do not fulfil the clinical practice experience entry requirements may be eligible to apply for registration to the relevant pathway in the Postgraduate Certificate in Nursing programme (30 credits).

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.

Recognition of Prior Learning:
Candidates who successfully complete a Postgraduate Certificate in Nursing in any one of the available pathways may apply for a transfer into the relevant clinical pathway of the MSc/PG Diploma in Nursing. On transfer, exemptions for modules to the value of 30 credits already completed on the Postgraduate Certificate in Nursing and which are part of the relevant clinical pathway on the MSc/PG Diploma exit will be given. Following transfer, candidates will have the option of exiting with a Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing following completion of the remaining 30 credits in the relevant pathway. A candidate who 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.

For the MSc in Nursing, students choose one of the available pathways and complete modules to the value of 90 credits in total comprising 60 credits in Part 1 (typically over one Year) (and may opt to exit with a Postgraduate Diploma award) and 30 credits in Part 2 (typically over 2nd year of programmes).

NOTE: For students who complete the programme without opting to take an exit route award, the Academic Transcript of Examination Results will state the cumulative nature of the award as relevant to pathway speciality.

PART 1
Part 1, typically completed in the first year of each programme pathway consists of theory modules to the value of 50 credits and a clinical practicum/practice module to the value of 10 credits. These modules (both shared and pathway specific) are listed below.

Pathway 1: Emergency Nursing
Theory modules
NU6005 Research Methods (10 credits) (Shared module across all pathways)
NU6027 Emergency Nursing I (10 credits)
NU6028 Emergency Nursing II (10 Credits)
NU6053 Ethics for Specialist Practice (5 credits) (Shared module across all pathways except 9)
NU6070 Practice Enhancement for Nursing and Midwifery (10 credits) (Shared module across all pathways except 5 and 9)
NU6126 Physical Assessment for Nursing Practice (5 credits)
Clinical Practice/Practicum modules
NU6130 Clinical Practice in Specialist Nursing 1 (5 credits)
NU6131 Clinical Practice in Specialist Nursing 2 (5 credits)

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.
Pathway 2: Cardiac and Intensive Care Nursing
Theory modules
NU6005 Research Methods (10 credits) (Shared module across all pathways)
NU6030 Cardiac Nursing (10 credits)
NU6031 Intensive Care Nursing (10 credits)
NU6053 Ethics for Specialist Practice (5 credits) (Shared module across all pathways except 9)
NU6070 Practice Enhancement for Nursing and Midwifery (10 credits) (Shared module across all pathways except 5 and 9)
NU6126 Physical Assessment for Nursing Practice (5 credits)
Clinical Practice/Practicum modules
NU6130 Clinical Practice in Specialist Nursing 1 (5 credits)
NU6131 Clinical Practice in Specialist Nursing 2 (5 credits)

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

Pathway 3: Gerontological Nursing
Theory modules (blended learning)
NU6005 Research Methods (10 credits) (Shared module across all pathways)
NU6053 Ethics for Specialist Practice (5 credits) (Shared module across all pathways except 9)
NU6070 Practice Enhancement for Nursing and Midwifery (10 credits) (Shared module across all pathways except 5 and 9)
NU6078 Ageing and Older People: Bio Psychosocial Perspectives (10 credits)
NU6079 Contemporary Issues in Gerontological Nursing (5 credits)
NU6117 Contemporary Approaches to Dementia Across the Continuum of Care (10 credits)
Clinical Practice/Practicum modules
NU6130 Clinical Practice in Specialist Nursing 1 (5 credits)
NU6131 Clinical Practice in Specialist Nursing 2 (5 credits)

Note: Students who have successfully completed 30 credits from the Postgraduate Certificate in Nursing (Gerontological) and transfer into the MSc Programme must take theory modules to the value of 25 credits from above (NU6005, NU6053, NU6078) and one Clinical Practice/Practicum module to the value of 5 credits - NU6131 Clinical Practice in Specialist Nursing 2 (5 credits)

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

Pathway 4: Peri-operative Nursing (not on offer in 2017/18)
Theory modules
NU6005 Research Methods (10 credits) (A shared module across all pathways)
NU6038 Perioperative Nursing I (15 credits)
NU6039 Perioperative Nursing II (5 credits)
NU6053 Ethics for Specialist Practice (5 credits) (Shared module across all pathways except 9)
NU6070 Practice Enhancement for Nursing and Midwifery (10 credits) (Shared module across all pathways except 5 and 9)
NU6126 Physical Assessment for Nursing Practice (5 credits)
Clinical Practice/Practicum modules
NU6130 Clinical Practice in Specialist Nursing 1 (5 credits)
NU6131 Clinical Practice in Specialist Nursing 2 (5 credits)

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

Pathway 5: Recovery-focused Mental Health Nursing
Theory modules
NU6005 Research Methods (10 credits) (A shared module across all pathways)
NU6053 Ethics for Specialist Practice (5 credits) (Shared module across all pathways except 9)
NU6080 Practice Development in Specialist Mental Health Nursing (10 credits)
NU6081 Principles and Practice of Recovery (Working in Partnership with the Person) (15 credits)
NU6082 Principles and Practice of Recovery (Working in Partnership with Families) (5 credits)
NU6083 Critical Issues in Mental Health Care (5 credits)
Clinical Practice/Practicum modules
NU6148 Clinical Practice in Specialist Mental Health Nursing I (5 credits)
NU6149 Clinical Practice in Specialist Mental Health Nursing II (5 credits)

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

Pathway 6: Neonatology Nursing
Theory modules
NU6005 Research Methods (10 credits) (A shared module across all pathways)
NU6053 Ethics for Specialist Practice (5 credits) (Shared module across all pathways except 9)
NU6070 Practice Enhancement for Nursing and Midwifery (10 credits) (Shared module across all pathways except 5 and 9)
NU6150 Nursing Management of Neonates (10 credits)
NU6159 High Dependency in Neonatal Nursing (15 credits)
Clinical Practice/Practicum modules
NU6130 Clinical Practice in Specialist Nursing 1 (5 credits)
NU6131 Clinical Practice in Specialist Nursing 2 (5 credits)

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.
Pathway 7: Contemporary Issues in Intellectual Disabilities (not on offer in 2017/18)
Theory modules
NU6005 Research Methods (10 credits) (A shared module across all pathways)
NU6052 Person Centred Health Care for People with Intellectual Disabilities (10 credits)
NU6053 Ethics for Specialist Practice (5 credits) (Shared module across all pathways except 9)
NU6132 Communication Strategies for People with an Intellectual Disability (10 credits)
NU6133 Mental Health Need of People with an Intellectual Disability (5 credits)
NU6070 Practice Enhancement for Nursing and Midwifery (10 credits) (Shared module across all pathways except 5 and 9)
Clinical Practice/Practicum modules
NU6130 Clinical Practice in Specialist Nursing 1 (5 credits)
NU6131 Clinical Practice in Specialist Nursing 2 (5 credits)

Note: Students who have successfully completed 30 credits from the Postgraduate Certificate in Nursing (Contemporary Issues in Intellectual Disabilities) and transfer into the MSc Programme must take theory modules to the value of 25 credits from above (NU6005, NU6053, and NU6058) and one Clinical Practice/Practicum module to the value of 5 credits - NU6131 Clinical Practice in Specialist Nursing 2 (5 credits).

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

Pathway 8: Medical and Surgical Nursing
Theory modules
NU6005 Research Methods (10 credits) (Shared module across all pathways)
NU6053 Ethics for Specialist Practice (5 credits) (Shared module across all pathways except 9)
NU6070 Practice Enhancement for Nursing and Midwifery (10 credits) (shared module across all pathways except 5 and 9)
NU6125 Professional Practice Issues for Nurses and Midwives (10 credits)
NU6085 Wound Care for Healthcare Professionals (5 credits)
NU6152 Medical and Surgical Nursing of Individuals with Cardiorespiratory Problems (10 credits)
Clinical Practice/Practicum modules
NU6130 Clinical Practice in Specialist Nursing 1 (5 credits)
NU6131 Clinical Practice in Specialist Nursing 2 (5 credits)

Note: Students who have successfully completed 30 credits from the Postgraduate Certificate in Nursing (Medical and Surgical Nursing) wishing to transfer into the MSc Programme must take theory modules to the value of 25 credits from above (NU6005, NU6053, and NU6070) and one Clinical Practice/Practicum module to the value of 5 credits - NU6130 Clinical Practice in Specialist Nursing 1 (5 credits) or NU6131 Clinical Practice in Specialist Nursing 2 (5 credits)

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.
Pathway 9: Nursing in the Community (not on offer in 2017/18)
Theory modules
NU6005 Research Methods (10 credits) (A shared module across all pathways)
NU6043 Adults and Older People in the Community (5 credits)
NU6044 Health and Health Promotion: Concepts and Principles (5 credits)
NU6095 Primary Health Care Services in the Community (5 credits)
NU6096 Nursing in the Community in Primary Health Care 1 (10 credits)
NU6097 Nursing in the Community in Primary Health Care 2 (10 credits)
SS6016 Health and Personal Social Services (5 credits)
Clinical Practice/Practicum module
NU6098 Nursing in the Community Clinical Practicum (10 credits)

Note: Students who have successfully completed 30 credits from the Postgraduate Certificate in Nursing (Nursing in the Community) and transfer into the MSc Programme must take theory modules to the value of 20 credits from above (NU6005, NU6097) and one Clinical Practice/Practicum module to the value of 10 credits - NU6098 Nursing in the Community Clinical Practicum (10 credits).

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

Pathway 10: Orthopaedic Nursing (not on offer in 2017/18)
Theory modules (blended learning):
NU6005 Research Methods (10 credits)
NU6053 Ethics for Specialist Practice (5 credits)
NU6070 Practice Enhancement for Nursing and Midwifery (10 credits)
NU6127 Orthopaedic Elective Nursing – Adult (10 credits)
NU6128 Orthopaedic Trauma Nursing – Adult (10 credits)
NU6129 Rheumatology Nursing (5 credits)
Clinical Practice/Practicum modules
NU6130 Clinical Practice in Specialist Nursing 1 (5 credits)
NU6131 Clinical Practice in Specialist Nursing 2 (5 credits)

Note: Exemption of 5 credits granted to those who have completed NU5091 Principles of Orthopaedic Nursing (5 credits)

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

Pathway 11: Oncology Nursing
Theory modules (blended learning):
NU6005 Research Methods (10 credits)
NU6053 Ethics for Specialist Practice (5 credits)
NU6070 Practice Enhancement for Nursing and Midwifery (10 credits)
NU6145 Foundations of Cancer Care (10 credits)
NU6146 Cancer Management and Supportive Cancer Care 1 (10 credits)
NU6147 Cancer Management and Supportive Cancer Care 2 (5 credits)
Clinical Practice/Practicum modules
NU6130 Clinical Practice in Specialist Nursing 1 (5 credits)
NU6131 Clinical Practice in Specialist Nursing 2 (5 credits)

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

PART 2
In order to progress to PART 2 students must pass modules to the value of 60 credits in PART 1.

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

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.
Examinations
Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2018 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules 2017/2018.

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

• Practise as a learned member of the multidisciplinary team in the delivery of quality healthcare for individuals and families across a variety of contexts with greater insights into the research-base, ethical, and professional underpinnings of nursing/midwifery and healthcare in Ireland;
• Demonstrate high levels of judgement in the practice of nursing/midwifery through the generation of knowledge for innovative nursing or midwifery practice;
• Act as innovators and leaders in a chosen area and contribute to practice development and best practice;
• Teach others from a broad and in-depth knowledge base, derived from critical reflection on practice and the development of critical inquiry of disciplinary knowledge base in nursing or midwifery;
• Enhance specialist nursing or midwifery practice through the application of well-assimilated knowledge and clinical skills;
• Exercise accountability and autonomy within the clinical and professional boundaries of the role of nursing or midwifery;
• Promote excellence in assessment and implementation of research based practice, within agreed inter-disciplinary protocols in specialist areas of nursing or midwifery practice;
• Evaluate the effectiveness of individual outcomes against specialist intervention plans for individuals and families in their specialist area of practice;
• Synthesise health related issues for the development of intervention/service responses appropriate to the needs of individuals and families in their specialist area of practice.

Programme Learning Outcomes specific to the Postgraduate Diploma exit award pathways are as follows:

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

• Enhance emergency 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 emergency nursing;
• Critically appraise and evaluate current research evidence and best practice for emergency nursing and its implications for practice;
• Evaluate the effectiveness of individual outcomes against specialist intervention plans for individuals and families in emergency nursing practice;
• Synthesise health related issues for the development of intervention/service responses appropriate to the needs of individuals and families in emergency nursing practice;
• Contribute as a learned member of the multidisciplinary team in the delivery of quality healthcare for individuals and families within the context of emergency nursing;
• Act as a means of professional support, educator and role model for the provision of life long learning to ensure ongoing professional development.

Programme Learning Outcomes for Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing (Cardiac and Intensive Care Nursing) (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Enhance cardiac 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 cardiac intensive care nursing;
• Critically appraise and evaluate current research evidence and best practice for cardiac and intensive care nursing and its implications for practice;
• Evaluate the effectiveness of individual outcomes against specialist intervention plans for individuals and families in cardiac intensive care nursing;
• Synthesise health related issues for the development of intervention/service responses appropriate to the needs of individuals and families in cardiac intensive care nursing;
• Contribute as a learned member of the multidisciplinary team in the delivery of quality healthcare for individuals and families within the context of cardiac intensive care nursing;
• Act as a means of professional support, educator and role model for the provision of life long learning to ensure ongoing professional development.

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

• Understand and critically evaluate the complex theories and concepts underpinning gerontological nursing practice;
• Identify and critically evaluate ethical issues in order to challenge assumptions and question values, beliefs and policies underpinning care;
• Develop and apply a critical awareness of the knowledge and skills required to promote the holistic development of a patient centred approach to the care of the older person incorporating the patient's individual needs, beliefs and values;
• Develop a collaborative, empowering and advocacy approach in working with older adults;
• Exercise accountability within the clinical, ethical and professional boundaries of the role of gerontological nursing;
• Critically appraise, evaluate and apply current research evidence and best practice when nursing older people;
• Critically appraise and apply assessment strategies, which are appropriate and sensitive to the older adult;
• Act as a means of professional support, educator and role model for the provision of life long learning to ensure ongoing professional development.

Programme Learning Outcomes for Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing (Peri-operative Nursing) (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Enhance peri-operative nursing practice through the application of well-assimilated theoretical, practical and policy knowledge and clinical skills;
• Exercise accountability within the clinical, ethical and professional boundaries of the role of peri-operative nursing;
• Critically appraise and evaluate current research evidence and best practice for peri-operative nursing and its implications for practice;
• Evaluate the effectiveness of individual outcomes against specialist intervention plans for individuals and families in peri-operative nursing practice;
• Synthesise health related issues for the development of intervention/service responses appropriate to the needs of individuals and families in peri-operative nursing practice;
• Contribute as a learned member of the multidisciplinary team in the delivery of quality healthcare for individuals and families within the context of peri-operative nursing;
• Act as a means of professional support, educator and role model for the provision of life long learning to ensure ongoing professional development.

Programme Learning Outcomes for Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing (Recovery-focused Mental Health Nursing) (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)

• Understand and critically evaluate the theories, concepts, and principles underpinning specialist mental health nursing practice in order to actively contribute to the development of person-centred and recovery oriented services through critical reflection, innovation and leadership;
• Critically appraise, evaluate, and apply current research and best practice evidence when working with people experiencing acute or enduring mental health problems;
• Identify and critically evaluate ethical issues and work with service users, carers and others towards their resolution;
• Challenge and question values, beliefs and policies underpinning mental health care at individual, team and organisational level;
• Critically appraise and apply assessment strategies, which are appropriate and sensitive to the service user, situation, setting, and context whilst applying the principles and practice of therapeutic engagement with service users and their carers;
• Demonstrate effective, advanced knowledge and skills in the use of a range of psychosocial interventions and evaluate their effectiveness, in partnership with service users, carers and other health care professionals;
• Develop knowledge of and skills in implementing and managing change, leadership, research, audit, and inter-agency working, so the mental health nurse in order to initiate nursing-related practice developments, which will lead to the provision of high quality care for people experiencing acute or enduring mental health problems;
• Develop specialist clinical competence and practice, using a recovery approach, to ensure that the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of person-centred care is based on best practice and evidence and supported through clinical supervision and practice development;
• Act as a means of professional support, educator and role model for the facilitation of life long learning to ensure ongoing professional development in self and others.

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

• Enhance neonatal nursing practice through the application of well-assimilated theoretical, practical and policy knowledge and clinical skills;
• Exercise accountability within the clinical, ethical and professional boundaries of the role of neonatal nursing;
• Critically appraise and evaluate current research evidence and best practice for peri-operative nursing and its implications for practice;
• Evaluate the effectiveness of individual outcomes against specialist intervention plans for neonates and families in neonatal nursing practice;
• Synthesise health related issues for the development of intervention/service responses appropriate to the needs of neonates and families in neonatal nursing practice;
• Contribute as a learned member of the multidisciplinary team in the delivery of quality healthcare for neonates and families within the context of neonatal nursing;
• Act as a means of professional support, educator and role model for the provision of life long learning to ensure ongoing professional development.

Programme Learning Outcomes for Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing (Contemporary Issues in Intellectual Disabilities) (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Enhance intellectual disability nursing practice through the application of well-assimilated theoretical, practical and policy knowledge and clinical skills;
• Exercise accountability within the clinical, ethical and professional boundaries of the role of intellectual disability nursing;
• Critically appraise and evaluate current research evidence and best practice for intellectual disability nursing and its implications for practice;
• Evaluate the effectiveness of individual outcomes against specialist intervention plans for individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families in nursing practice;
• Synthesise health related issues for the development of intervention/service responses appropriate to the needs of individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families in nursing practice;
• Act as a means of professional support, educator and role model for the provision of life long learning to ensure ongoing professional development.

Programme Learning Outcomes for Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing (Medical and Surgical Nursing) (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Enhance medical and surgical nursing practice through the application of well-assimilated theoretical, practical and policy knowledge and clinical skills;
• Exercise accountability within the clinical, ethical and professional boundaries of the role of medical and surgical nursing;
• Critically appraise and evaluate current research evidence and best practice for medical and surgical nursing and its implications for practice;
• Evaluate the effectiveness of individual outcomes against specialist intervention plans for individuals and their families in medical and surgical nursing practice;
• Synthesise health related issues for the development of intervention/service responses appropriate to the needs of individuals and their families in medical and surgical nursing practice;
• Contribute as a learned member of the multidisciplinary team in the delivery of quality healthcare for individuals and families within the context of medical and surgical nursing;
• Act as a means of professional support, educator and role model for the provision of life long learning to ensure ongoing professional development.

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

• Enhance community nursing practice through the application of well-assimilated theoretical, practical and policy knowledge and clinical skills;
• Exercise accountability within the clinical, ethical and professional boundaries of the role of community nursing;
• Critically appraise and evaluate current research evidence and best practice for community nursing and its implications for practice;
• Evaluate the effectiveness of individual outcomes against specialist intervention plans for individuals and their families in community nursing practice;
• Synthesise health related issues for the development of intervention/service responses appropriate to the needs of individuals and their families in community nursing practice;
• Contribute as a learned member of the multidisciplinary team in the delivery of quality healthcare for individuals and families within the context of community nursing;
• Act as a means of professional support, educator and role model for the provision of life long learning to ensure ongoing professional development.

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

• Enhance orthopaedic nursing practice through the application of well-assimilated theoretical, practical and policy knowledge and clinical skills;
• Exercise accountability within the clinical, ethical and professional boundaries of orthopaedic nursing;
• Critically appraise and evaluate current research evidence and best practice for orthopaedic nursing and its implications for practice;
• Evaluate the effectiveness of individual outcomes against specialist intervention plans for individuals and their families in orthopaedic nursing practice;
• Synthesise health related issues for the development of intervention/service responses appropriate to the needs of individuals and their families in orthopaedic nursing practice;
• Contribute as a learned member of the multidisciplinary team in the delivery of quality healthcare for individuals and families within the context of orthopaedic nursing;
• Act as a means of professional support, educator and role model for the provision of life long learning to ensure on-going professional development.

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

• Enhance oncological care nursing practice through the application of theoretical practical and policy knowledge and skills;
• Critically appraise and evaluate current research evidence and best practice for specialist nursing and its implications for practice;
• Identify and critically evaluate ethical issues in order to challenge assumptions and question values, beliefs and policies underpinning care;
• Exercise accountability within the clinical and professional boundaries of oncology nursing.