Children's/General Integrated Degree Programme
Introduction
The concept of an Integrated Children's and General Nursing Degree programme is based on the delivery of care in a truly age related framework. This framework encompasses a cradle to grave model and is developmental in design. It enables the student to deliver holistic, family centred and age related care across the seven ages of man in a variety of health care settings. The programme utilises the principles and concepts of shared and core learning and acquisition of transferable skills. The emphasis on evidence based learning should foster research as a vital skill which in turn should promote the concept of life long learning. This programme is unique in being integration of Children's and General Nursing and for providing an age related focus across the life span. It is also unique in that for the first time in paediatrics the Adolescent is placed within an age related nursing framework. This Integrated degree model facilitates students to be educated to degree level and be eligible for entry to two divisions of the register as maintained by An Bord Altranais on successful completion of the programme. (King 2003)
What is Children's Nursing
A Registered Children's Nurse (RCN) is responsible for promoting optimum health and for preventing ill health amongst children up to the age of 18, intervening where appropriate to provide holistic care for children and families. Children's nursing recognizes that care is ideally provided in collaboration with children and their families, and in conjunction with other health professionals. Children's nurses deliver care to children of all ages in a variety of settings which makes it a very interesting varied career choice that is fulfilling.
Linked Hospital
The linked Health Service Provider is the Adelaide and Meath hospital Dublin, incorporating the National Children's Hospital, (AMNCH). Most Children's and General placements occur in this site and the students are employees of AMNCH during the rostered placement. A number of placements occur in other approved sites throughout the course of the programme.
Visit AMNCH's Just for Kids
Number of places 2010/2011
It is expected that there will be 20 places available in 2010/11.
Overview of the course
The Children's and General Integrated Degree Programme (CGIDP) is 4.5 years in duration and will, on completion, allow for dual Children's and General Registration with An Bord Altranais.
The Programme meets European Union regulations in relation to General Nursing (European Union Directive 77/453/ EEC) and complies with Standards as determined by An Bord Altranais (2004) in relation to both Children's and General Nursing.
The Programme consists of the following:
- Theory: 78 Weeks.
- Clinical Placements: 54 Weeks.
- Rostered Placement: 36 Weeks.
- Examinations*: 9 Weeks.
- Holidays: 57 Weeks. Total = 234 Weeks (4.5 Years).
*Students must be available to present for examinations during the entire Trinity College examination period.
The Children's and General Integrated Degree Programme (CGIDP) encompasses the five domains of competency as defined by An Bord Altranais (2000):
- Professional / Ethical Practice.
- Holistic approaches to care and integration of knowledge.
- Interpersonal relationships.
- Organisational and management of care.
- Personal and Professional Development.
The Children's strand of the programme focuses on the following aspects of Children's Nursing;
- Child and Family Centred Nursing.
- Interpersonal Skills for Children's Nursing.
- The individual Child in Health and Illness.
- Child and Family Health Promotion.
- Professional and Personal Development of the Children's Nurse.
- Child and Family Health Care Systems.
The term child includes infants, toddlers, children and adolescents.
(An Bord Altranais 2000 Requirements and Standards for Nurse Registration Education Programmes)
See modular course structure for a description of each module of this course.
Theory
The CGIDP Students undertake the current Bachelor in Science (Nursing) Programme and core with students undertaking the Learning Disability, Psychiatric and General programme for core/shared learning modules. Within the General strand of the programme they share in most elements of the programme. They undertake all General theory modules and undertake 12 weeks pure Paediatric theory over the 4.5 years.
Assessments
Within the Assessment and Examination systems, an age related focus is included to reflect the dual nature of the degree and registration programme. The CGIDP students undertake all Assessments and Examinations as General strand students. In addition, the CGIDP students undertake paediatric examinations.
Paediatric assessments include a range of the following:
- Submissions
- Class and Group Presentations
- Video recorded Clinical skill assessment
- End of year examinations seen / unseen
- Portfolio submission
- Competency documentation
Clinical Placements
In relation to the 54 weeks clinical placement, there is a balance of 50% Paediatric and 50% General experiences. The first clinical placement in Year one is in a General setting. Following that, all other clinical placements are divided equally between Childrens and General placements with some minor exceptions.
Specialist (20 week) clinical placements include the following:
- Intellectual Disability Nursing
- Mental Health & Psychiatric Nursing
- Care of the older / frail person
- Community & Home Nursing (shared)
- Theatre Nursing (shared)
- Accident and Emergency Nursing (shared)
- Maternity Nursing
The standards document requires 2 weeks in each specialist area with a further 10 weeks of regulated placements. (An Bord Altranais 2005)
Rostered placement
In relation to the Rostered (Internship) placement (36 weeks) this is divided equally between Paediatric and General experiences. The standards document requires not less than 34 weeks Rostered Placement (An Bord Altranais 2005). During this period it is envisaged that the students will be employees of the linked hospital.
Outcome
On completion of the Programme the student will have been exposed to a wide variety of Patients in a number of health care settings. He/she will be able to deliver care across the life span within a truly age related and Family centred framework.
The Health Care providers will be supplied with a flexible workforce with core and shared knowledge and transferable skills who will be able to work and deliver a professional service in a wide variety of health care and age related settings.
(King 2003)
Why do a Childrens/General nursing degree in Trinity College?
On successful completion of the course students will obtain a Bachelor in Science honors degree and registration in both Children's and General Nursing in 4.5 years.
Students will work within a Family centered framework and gain insight and exposure to the age related issues of a wide diversity of people.
Students will obtain core knowledge and transferable skills relevant to the various age related groups within the current health services.
Due to the structure and format of the programme the students will be versatile, flexible and employable in a wide variety of settings.
With dual registration and degree status these students are on career pathways earlier than those who obtained the 2 registrations in any other way.
Other unique points include the following
A degree from the University of Dublin, Trinity College, is recognized across the world as a quality qualification opening many doors for graduates.
Nursing facilities in the University of Dublin, Trinity College (including nursing skills equipment, laboratories, teaching facilities, computer access and clinical skills laboratories) are second to none and library facilities are the best in Ireland.
AMNCH provides a campus which serves the needs of clients of all ages with a wide variety of needs and from a multicultural environment.
Trinity College is currently working in partnership with AMNCH in relation to both Children's and General student nurses.
Job opportunities are diverse for students following registration in both fields, and qualified nurses in both fields are in great demand.
The School of Nursing and Midwifery has a rich source of lecturers with experience in both Children's and General nursing.
Further Information
Further information is available from:
The Nursing Career Centre, An Bord Altranais, 31/32 Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin 2.
Central Applications Office (CAO), Tower House, Eglinton Street, Galway. Tel: +353 91 509800; e-mail: help@cao.ie
The Admissions Office Trinity College Dublin, College Green, Dublin 2.
Phone 1 + 353 (0)1 896 3664
Phone 2 + 353 (0)1 896 1532
Fax: + 353 (0)1 872 2853
Email admissns@tcd.ie
See also Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
School of Nursing & Midwifery, University of Dublin, Trinity College 2010.