Master in Science in Cancer Care / Postgraduate Diploma in Cancer Care

Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Dublin, Trinity College in association with St Lukes Hospital, Rathgar

How to apply | Closing Date | Introduction | Course Aim | Admission Requirements | Duration |Course Design | Clinical Component | Progression |

Introduction

The School of Nursing and Midwifery in partnership with St. Lukes Hospital, Rathgar, offers an MSc in Cancer Care. This programme has been developed to meet the new demands and challenges within the health care system and specifically within cancer care. The course is firmly grounded in a body of knowledge and clinical expertise that aims to promote excellence in the area of cancer care practice. It is also designed to provide an academically robust education for the participants and the various modules offered develop and complement subjects undertaken at degree or equivalent level.

Course Aim

The aims of the course are:
To develop a competent, accountable professional, sensitive to the many physical, psychosocial and emotional components of the individuals reactions to health, illness and particularly cancer.
To enable the development of reflective, analytical and reasoning skills to give a deeper and broader understanding of the concept of nursing practice and the developing role of the nurse within the health service and particularly cancer care.
To develop the cognitive and creative skills to enable the nurse to make a valuable contribution to developments in innovation and research in both professional advancement and health care overall.

Admission requirements

The criteria for admission are as follows:

• all applicants are required to be registered on the live register maintained by An Bord Altranais.
• have a minimum of two years clinical experience in nursing with one year being in a recognised Cancer Care setting for a period of 22 weeks each year of the course, be employed in the area of cancer care nursing.
• hold at least an upper second class honours degree in nursing
  or
• otherwise satisfy the selection panel that they have the ability and/or the experience to complete the course successfully.
• be registered on the live register maintained by An Bord Altranais
• have a minimum of two year’s clinical experience in nursing with one year spent in a recognised Cancer Care setting
• for a period of 22 weeks each year of the programme, be employed in the area of a recognized cancer care nursing setting,
• hold at least an upper second class honors degree in nursing

or

• Otherwise satisfy the course committee that they have the ability and/or the experience to complete the programme successfully

Note, candidates with relevant, and significant, experience as professional practitioners in the field of cancer care may be accepted with lower qualifications provided that they can satisfy the selection panel that they have the ability to complete and benefit from the programme.

Duration

This MSc course will take place over two academic years on a part-time basis only. The course comprises both academic and clinical components. Students are required to attend the university for 30 days over the course of the 1st year. This attendance is mainly day release but one full week in January and a limited number of 2 consecutive day attendance will be required. 5 days attendance is required in the 2nd year. Subject to notice other study days may be necessary. Students are also required to undertake clinical placement in year one and work in a recognised oncology setting for 22 weeks each academic year.

Course design

Academic component
The academic component comprises 6 modules in year 1, and completion of a research dissertation in year 2.

In year one the students undertake the following modules (The number of ECTS credits are in brackets):

• NU7013 Theory and Practice of Research Methods for Healthcare (10)
• NU7004 Advancing the Theoretical Foundations of Nursing (10)
• NU7501 Foundations in Cancer Care (Introduction to Oncology) (10)
• NU7502 Psychosocial Issues in Cancer Care (10)
• NU7503 Cancer Care 1; Control and Management of Side-Effects, Disease and Treatments
• NU7504 Cancer Care 2; Control and Management of Side-Effects, Disease and Treatments

In year two the students undertake a research Dissertation (30 ECTS)

Clinical component

The clinical component of the programme is designed to build on the nurses clinical competency over time and is integral to the course. As such, students of the programme are required to work in a designated Cancer Care setting for a minimum of 22 weeks (825 hours) each year based on a 37.5 hour week. This is to maximise experience gained in Cancer Care practice to facilitate competency development over the 2 year period. This arrangement also facilitates those working part-time or job-sharing admittance to the course.

In year 1, within this 22 week period, the students are also required to undertake two professional practice placements to include:

• Chemotherapy X 2 weeks (based on 30 hours per week x 2 weeks)
  
• Radiotherapy X 2 weeks (based on 30 hours per week x 2 weeks)

These placements may be carried out in the students own place of work depending on the specialty practice area.

In year 2, further consolidation of clinical practice will be assessed through further development of their clinical portfolio, again following on Benners model to the level of Proficiency. A designated clinical supervisor/facilitator will be allocated to each student to facilitate clinical practice development. Further clinical placements are optional and will depend on students particular requests. These may include administration of cytotoxics, palliative care or paediatric oncology.

Progression

All students register on the M. Sc. programme in the first instance. On successful completion of all the requirements of the first year, students may progress to the second year of the programme during which they complete a dissertation; or may opt to exit and be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma.

Flexibility Option for Progressing to the M. Sc. in Cancer Care

Alternatively students who are eligible for the award of Postgraduate Diploma may opt not to be awarded the Postgraduate Diploma and may instead choose to enter the 2nd year of the masters programme within four years of having become eligible for the award of postgraduate diploma.

Course Fees

2012 tuition fees for the MSc in Cancer Care are to confirmed.

The fees for new entrants to the first year of the MSc in Cancer Care in 2011 were €7,250 for EU applicants.

Second year fees for the MSc in Cancer Care in 2011 were €4,750 for EU applicants.

Course Contacts

Brian Keogh
Course Co-ordinator
M. Sc. / P.Grad. Dip. in Cancer Care
School of Nursing and Midwifery
Trinity College Dublin

Tel +353 1 8963109
E-mail: keoghbj@tcd.ie

Ms Hannah Archbold
Course Executive Officer
Tel: +353 1 896 3892

Antoinette Kirwan
Education Co-Ordinator
Education Centre
St. Luke's Hospital
Highfield Road
Rathgar
Dublin 6
Ireland

E-mail: Antoinette.Kirwan@slh.ie
Tel +353 1 2453527

Catherine English
Nurse Education Secretary
Education Centre
St. Luke's Hospital
Highfield Road
Rathgar
Dublin 6

Tel +353 1 4065231
E-mail: catherine.english@slh.ie

Application Procedures and Normal Closing Date

Applications are made on-line at the Postgraduate Applications Centre

Normal closing dates.

Courses are usually advertised in early March of the year of entry and the normal closing date is in early May. The online application fee (using a debit or credit card) is €45.00. The online application processing fee is payable to PAC and is non-refundable. Any information on expected changes in the application process for our courses will be updated here.

Always check these pages for current information including any information on late applications.

Please note that as you complete the online application you will be advised to forward the following supporting documents to complete your application:

• Relevant certificates/diplomas/degrees.
• Transcripts (for any courses of study taken outside of Trinity College Dublin).
• An Bord Altranais PIN number and evidence of current ABA registration.
• An up to date CV.
• Certificate of IELTS: at least Grade 6.5 for Non-EU applicants.
• 1 Passport photo.

So, please go ahead and apply online and immediate arrange to follow through on your application by supplying the documents listed above as per the online Postgraduate Applications Centre guidelines.

An Important Tip for those who are considering applying for a taught postgraduate course at the School of Nursing and Midwifery

Tus maith, leath na hoibre! This old Irish proverb translates as a good start is half the work. If you are only 'mulling over' the idea of applying for course at least do a little bit of preparation work now. You will be glad you did! During the course of your application you will be required to submit various official documents depending on the course for which you are applying. Arrange to have certified copies or originals of your educational and professional awards ready. Note, official academic transcripts can take weeks to receive, particularly if they are being sent from overseas. Prepare an up-to-date CV. If applicable, ensure that you have evidence of current and vaild professional registration (e.g. An Bord Altranais registration.) All applicants whose first language is not English and who have not been educated through the medium of English must present one of the following qualifications in the English language:

IELTS: Grade 6.5
TOEFL: 230-computer based, 570 paper based
Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English: Grade C
Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English: Grade C

The details outlined in this page are subject to change. The University of Dublin , Trinity College is not bound by errors in, or omissions from this course information document.

NOTE: The School reserve the right to amend the contents of this page to reflect any curriculum and course management changes.

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