Overview
Course Overview
This course is designed to provide the student with the appropriate level of knowledge, clinical expertise, and technical skills necessary to function as a competent, effective and caring intensive care nursing practitioner. There is a strong commitment to research-based practice, and a focus on the development and integration of theoretical knowledge and clinical experience.
Is This Course For Me?
This course is designed for nurses working in clinical practice who wish to develop their knowledge and competency in intensive care. There is a flexible approach where you can study between 1-3 years to complete an M.Sc. Specialist Nursing.
The blended approach to course delivery is designed for busy professionals to learn, with carefully planned assessment schedules, and supportive academic and clinical facilitators to guide you in your learning.
Course Structure
The course is offered on a two-year part-time basis. Year One starts with a full week of studying in September and continues thereafter one day per week for the remainder of the year. Year Two consists of workshops throughout the academic year.
Each module will be assessed by the successful completion of an academic assignment. The assessment of clinical competence will focus on the acquisition of specialist competencies and the clinical assessments will be carried out throughout the clinical placements
Career Opportunities
Designed to enable registered nurses to increase their knowledge, experience and clinical skills within this chosen specialty, this course prepares the intensive care nurse to function as a competent, effective and caring specialist nurse.
Course Content
In Year One, students take four specialist modules: Nursing Care and Management of Critically Ill with Multi System Dysfunction; Principles of Intensive Care Nursing; Assessment of the Critically Ill; Supervised Practice Placement (Intensive care). Students also take two core modules: Theory & Practice of Enquiry Methods for Healthcare; Leadership, Quality Improvement and Governance.
In Year Two, students must complete a dissertation.
Course Details
Awards
NFQ Level 9Next Intake
September 2025
Course Coordinator
Dr. Eleanor Hollywood
Closing Date
30th June 2025
Admission Requirements
Admission Requirements Specialist Nursing strands:
Admission to the strand will be subject to place availability. The entry criteria for this strand are:
- Current registration on the appropriate nursing division of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland Active Register
- Two years post-registration clinical experience since first registration
- Twelve months experience (within the last two years) in the specialty in Ireland at the time of application.
- Candidates must also fulfil one of the following criteria:
- An honours degree in nursing or a related discipline or equivalent professional and academic qualification or satisfy the selection committee that they have the academic ability to successfully complete the programme.
Each student will be engaged in specific practice settings in Ireland relevant to each individual strand for the duration of the programme of study.
Additional criteria may be required by individual Health Service Providers.
Students will be required to undergo Garda Vetting, you can learn more at: https://www.tcd.ie/students/orientation/postgraduates/garda-vetting.php for further details.
English Language Requirements
All applicants to Trinity are required to provide official evidence of proficiency in the English language. Applicants to this course are required to meet Band B (Standard Entry) English language requirements. For more details of qualifications that meet Band B, see the English Language Requirements page here.
Course Fees
Click here for a full list of postgraduate fees
Apply
To apply, click on the relevant Apply Link below
Get in Touch
Telephone Number
+353 01 896 2692
Website
www.nursing-midwifery.tcd.ie/postgraduate/taught-masters/nursing-spec/msc-sn-intensive.php
Register Your Interest
Register your interest in studying at Ireland’s leading university, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin.