The Postgraduate Diploma in Practice Nursing is a 60 credit programme for registered nurses and midwives. The programme will be delivered in blended learning format over two academic years, with 15 credits being delivered in each semester.

Applicants must be Registered General Nurses with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI). Applicants must have a minimum of twelve months post-registration experience (excluding courses). Applicants must be currently working in general practice or provide written evidence that they have identified a general practitioner (GP) practice where they can undertake clinical placement. If the applicant's first language is not English, they must meet the minimum IELTS requirements as per the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland.

Technical entry requirements (for online component)
To access and interact with the course content, assignments and assessments students will require access to a PC/ Laptop with at least Windows 7 or Mac OSX 10.7.4. Common plug- ins such as Microsoft Silverlight, Java and Flash will also be required. Students require access to MS Office or an equivalent suite of applications. Students must also have access to a modern standards compliant web browser i.e. Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. Basic technical computer skills such as familiarity with word processing, web browsing and email are recommended.

Fitness to Practise
This programme will be subject to the University's Fitness to Practise Policy - full details may be found here.

Year 1

Students complete modules to the value of 30 credits:

GP6003 Principles and Context of Primary Care and General Practice (5 credits)
NU6155 Clinical General Practice Nursing I (5 credits)
NU6157 Child Growth and Development (5 credits)
NU6070 Clinical Leadership in Practice Enhancement for Nursing and Midwifery (10 credits)

Plus one elective module to be chosen to the value of 5 credits:

NU6053 Professional, Ethical, and Legal Decision-making in Specialist Practice (5 credits)
NU5087 Practice and Principles of Health Promotion (5 credits)
GP6005 Women's Health in General Practice (5 credits)

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

Year 2

Students complete modules to the value of 30 credits:

NU6005 Evidence Based Practice for Healthcare Professionals (10 credits)
NU6156 Clinical General Practice Nursing II (5 credits)
GP6004 Chronic Disease Management in General Practice (5 credits)

Plus two elective module to be chosen to the value of 10 credits (either 2x5 credit modules OR 1x10 credit module):

NU6085 Wound Care for Healthcare Professionals (5 credits)
NU6158 Evidence Based Cervical Screening (10 credits)
NU5077 Diabetes Management (5 credits)
GP5100 Diabetes in Primary Care (10 credits)
NU5085 Obesity Management and Prevention Training for Healthcare Professionals (5 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 2020/2021 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2020/2021.

Two Year Rule
Students of Nursing Studies 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 resit examination, students may be allowed to repeat the year (please note this programme is run on a cyclical basis). 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.

Progression to the MSc Nursing Studies Master's Degree
Successful completion of the Postgraduate Diploma in Practice Nursing will allow eligibility to apply for, and enter the MSc Nursing Studies (Direct Entry Year 2) Master's Degree programme in Nursing.

Programme Learning Outcomes for Postgraduate Diploma in Practice Nursing (NFQ Level 9, Major Award) (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland, 2005, p12)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

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