Nursing

The Master of Science in Nursing consists of eight modules, equating to 90 credits at Level 9. There are six generic core modules and two elective modules (Developing Clinical Practice I & II) that the student takes within their specialist area of practice: Medical/Surgical Nursing; Mental Health Nursing; Maternal/Child Health Nursing; Intellectual Disability Nursing; Rehabilitation Nursing; Community Nursing; High Dependency Nursing*.

Core Modules:

Professional Caring in Context (5 credits):
The aim of this module is to enable the student to evaluate critically their clinical practice within the context of professional caring. 

Clinical Governance (5 credits):
The aim of this module is to enable the student to analyse the issues involved in establishing clinical governance within the organisational context of health care related to their specialist area.

Research Methods (10 credits):
The aim of this module is to facilitate the further development of knowledge and skills for the critical utilisation of research evidence for practice and the planning of research to address gaps in practice knowledge.

Politics of Health Care (5 credits):
The aim of this module is to enable the student to critique the politico-legal factors that influence health care provision in their chosen clinical field.

Research Project I (5 Credits):
The Aim of this module is to enable the student to design a systematic investigation of a clinical/practice issue in their clinical field

Research Project II (30 Credits):
The Aim of this module is enable the student to conduct a systematic investigation of a clinical/practice issue in their clinical field.

Elective Modules:

Developing Clinical Practice I* (10 credits):
The aim of this module is to enable the student to analyse their role and identify essential skills and competencies to be integrated into a specific practice area.

Developing Clinical Practice II* (20 credits):
The aim of this module is to enable the student to advance their knowledge, understanding and competency in essential skills within a specific practice area.

*Students are required to choose from one of the following seven nomenclatures (Commission on Nursing 1998) within which to take both DCPI and DCPII:

All Applicants should meet the following entry requirements:

• Be a registered nurse/midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).
• Hold an honours degree in nursing or hold another recognised qualification which is approved as a suitable alternative to a primary degree OR submit a portfolio for accreditation of prior experiential learning for consideration.
• Have two years post registration experience. This must include no less than one year’s engagement (whole time equivalent) in the specialist area they choose to study.
• Be currently engaged in clinical practice - a minimum of 20 hours per week.
• Have support from their Director of Nursing and Clinical Nurse Manager to undertake the course.
• Nominate and have confirmation of support of a Clinical Supervisor*
• Applicants whose first language is not English must submit evidence of competency in English, please see SETU Waterford’s English Language Requirements for details.

Confirmation of support & nomination of a Clinical Supervisor

A learning approach that is work located means it is important that we ensure students are supported in the practice area. Students will be required to obtain confirmation from their service manager that they will be supported in their chosen clinical field. It is also an expectation of the course that the student will nominate and obtain the consent of a senior clinician to act in the role of Clinical Supervisor.

A nominated clinical supervisor must:

• Be willing to take on the role of clinical supervisor.
• Have substantive experience at a senior clinical level in the student's chosen specialist clinical field.
• Have completed a preceptorship course or have an equivalent qualification/recognised experience in teaching and assessing.
• Have a recognised Level 9 postgraduate qualification in the student's specialist field.

Programme Fees

The Master of Science in Nursing is a Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) Category 2 approved programme. The Irish/EU fee for the programme is €3,450 for year one (60 credits) and €1725 for year two (30 credits).

Applicants may be eligible to apply for funding from the Nursing and Midwifery Planning and Development Unit (NMPDU). Further information regarding funding can be obtained from the NMPDU office Tel: 056 7785565 or 051 848691.

How to Apply                                             

Applications for this programme can be submitted online at www.pac.ie

Testimonials

‘Returning to academic studies after nine years as a working mother of four children, I needed to find a college course that would benefit my work/career, a college with good facilities and be accessible in terms of travel, in this MSc, I found all three! While I found the Postgraduate Diploma in nursing challenging in many ways, completing the course provided me with the building blocks and confidence to pursue my area of interest to Masters level.  The Masters programme in comparison was less challenging due to the programme schedule. By far the most valuable resource this programme has is its academic staff without whose support, guidance and friendship I would certainly not have succeeded or enjoyed the programmes as much.  Overall I would say that studying here has been really beneficial to me in many ways and would recommend it to any busy prospective student!’

Yvonne Murphy, Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing/Master of Science in Nursing (Mental Health Nursing)

 ‘The MSc in Nursing – Maternal and Child Health has equipped me with the skills, confidence and competence to research, develop and implement evidence based care within my practice area. The postgraduate course has allowed and encouraged me to identify a specific area for development within my chosen speciality. It has enabled and facilitated me to source and utilise quality literature, to interact with key professionals, to undertake a piece of research and therefore facilitate the successful implementation of updated and quality care in practice. Although requiring dedication and commitment the MSc Nursing course has provided me with an excellent foundation for developing both my academic and professional position and ultimately the provision of a meaningful and valuable contribution to both the patient and the clinical area’.

Alison Bone, Postgraduate Diploma/Master of Science in Nursing Programme (Maternal and Child Health Nursing)

‘I found the Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing to be student centred with personal and professional development individualised to each student.  It was a challenging journey of discovery, of knowledge acquisition, reflection and analysis of practice.  Subsequent changes in practice reflect the patient centred ethos of the programme. The supportive and enthusiastic learning environment here and the ongoing encouragement of both my Academic and Clinical Supervisors were fundamental to achieving the learning outcomes of the programme’.

Nora Flynn, Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing (Medical Surgical Nursing)

‘I found this university to be an exceptional learning environment with excellent facilities and friendly and very efficient lecturers. The Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing programme has equipped me with necessary education, competency and skills which has enabled me to face my next career challenge. When you graduate, you are not walking away with just another program but also the experiences of an established network of exceptional educators and a network of various healthcare professionals’. 

Bindu Murugan, Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing (Rehabilitation and Habilitation Nursing)

‘I undertook the Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing, for me this was a really positive experience. I found the content was flexible which allowed me to focus on my specialist area of practice. It facilitated me in developing competence in practical areas of my work that proved very helpful when applying for further positions. The Postgraduate Diploma also gave me a great basis for starting the Master of Science in Nursing’.

Catriona Fitzgerald, Postgraduate Diploma/Master of Science in Nursing Programme (Community Health Nursing)

‘This postgraduate programme has equipped me with valuable insight into the research process and the skills necessary to  provide evidence based practice essential to contemporary midwifery care. The commencement of the post graduate programme opened a window of opportunity for development that continued to MSc level’.

Mary O’Donnell, Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing/Master of Science in Nursing (Maternal and Child Health Nursing)