Advanced Practice (Nursing) M.Sc.

Overview

Course Overview

The course provides students with a broad-based education experience incorporating the key concepts of person-centred care, autonomy and empowerment, professional ethics, consultation and collaboration, and professional leadership, thus enabling them to practice at the highest professional standards across the spectrum of care.

Is this Course For Me?

This course prepares suitably qualified, experienced nurses, who wish to pursue a career as an Advanced Nurse Practitioner, to develop their knowledge, skills, and attitudes.

Career Opportunities 

Graduates of the course will be eligible to apply to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) for registration as a Registered Nurse Prescriber (RNP). Applicants who already have a Masters in Nursing and who are active as a RNP may be eligible to complete a one-year Postgraduate Certificate in Advanced Practice Nursing and be eligible to apply to register as an Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP) with NMBI.

Course Structure

The M.Sc. carries 110 ECTS credits, the P.Grad.Dip. carries 60 ECTS credits, the P.Grad.Cert. carries 30 ECTS credits.

Year One usually starts with a full week of studying in September and continues thereafter generally one to two days per week for the remainder of the academic year, in addition to 96 hours of prescribing practice (if relevant) and 500 hours of clinical advanced practice under the supervision of an experienced senior clinician. A blended learning approach is used in the delivery of theoretical content which includes lectures, group discussions and self-directed learning/online learning. The assessment process is a combination of written and practical assignments.

Year Two consists of workshops and classes throughout the academic year. A blended learning approach is used in the delivery of theoretical content which includes lectures, group discussions and self-directed learning/online learning. The assessment process is a combination of written and practical assignments. At the end of Year Two, students are required to submit a dissertation on a subject related to their field of study.

Course Content

P.Grad.Cert. students take two specialist modules: Decision Making and Advanced Practice Professional roles; Advanced Practice in the Clinical Practicum with defined pathways.

Upon successful completion of the two P.Grad.Cert. modules, students may opt to progress to the P.Grad.Dip. programme and take a further three modules: Professional, Ethical, Legal and Communication Issues informing Nurse and Midwife Prescribing and Clinical Practicum; Advanced Health Assessment; Prescribing Medicinal Products & Ionising Radiation.

Upon successful completion of the five P.Grad.Dip. modules, students may opt to progress further to the M.Sc. Programme and take a further three modules, including a dissertation module: Leadership, Quality Improvement and Governance; Advanced Research Methods for Healthcare Professionals; Dissertation in Advanced Practice. Students who are eligible for the award of Postgraduate Diploma may progress to undertake a M.Sc. within five years of first entering the programme.