Nursing - Child Health and Wellbeing (M.Sc./P.Grad.Dip)

Course Description

The aim of the MSc in Nursing - Child Health and Wellbeing is to provide a solid academic base to the understanding and development of nursing practice in the area of child health and illness. The course will strengthen and develop the knowledge, skills, competencies and attitudes of the participants, thus enabling them to fulfill their highest potential in the personal, professional and practice arena of children's health. The course will provide advanced study in research methods, the theoretical and practical aspects of management, clinical practice and leadership and child health perspectives as well as contemporary issues in child health and wellbeing. It is anticipated that graduates of this course, in applying their learning, will be enabled to promote and develop excellence in children's illness, child health and wellbeing in primary, secondary and tertiary health care services. On completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Identify and critically analyse alternative philosophies, perspectives and approaches that inform best practice in children's health and wellbeing
• Discuss the national and international context of child health and wellbeing
• Identify and discuss the contemporary challenges in health and wellbeing for children within an Irish context
• Critically discuss the development and delivery of high quality effective services to promote the physical, social, financial and emotional needs of children and their families
• Utilise their professional expertise care provision for children and their families through the application of enhanced knowledge, reflective skills and research-based evidence
• Differentiate the distinct contribution of team members in an interprofessional models of care including ambulatory and community care delivery to children and their families
• Critically appraise research evidence underpinning child health and wellbeing practices and theoretical frameworks
• Identify, plan, design and undertake a research study relevant to your area of practice
• Identify, lead, conduct, disseminate and evaluate research which advances excellence in children's health care practice in local, national/international contexts
• Contribute to local, national and international policy development and its translation into practice.

Course Content

This course is composed of the following modules:

Postgraduate Certificate in Nursing - Child Health and Wellbeing

1. Contemporary Issues in Child Health and Wellbeing (10 credits)
2. Child Health Provision in the Community (10 credits)
3. Leadership, Quality Improvement and Governance (10)

Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing - Child Health and Wellbeing

1. Contemporary Issues in Child Health and Wellbeing (10 credits)
2. Child Health Provision in the Community (10 credits)
3. Leadership, Quality Improvement and Governance (10)
4. Advancing the Theoretical Foundations of Nursing (10 credits)
5. Theory and Practice of Enquiry Methods for Health Care (10 credits)
6. Ethics and Law in Health and Social Care (10 credits)

Masters in Nursing - Child Health and Wellbeing

Year One (part-time)

1. Contemporary Issues in Child Health and Wellbeing (10 credits)
2. Child Health Provision in the Community (10 credits)
3. Leadership, Quality Improvement and Governance (10)
4. Advancing the Theoretical Foundations of Nursing (10 credits)
5. Theory and Practice of Enquiry Methods for Health Care (10 credits)
6. Ethics and Law in Health and Social Care (10 credits)

Year Two (part-time)

7. Dissertation (30 credits)

Students registered on the full-time Masters in Nursing - Child Health and Wellbeing take all of the above modules in one academic year.

The M.Sc. carries 90 ECTS credits, the P.Grad.Dip. carries 60 ECTS credits

Structure and delivery
Year One - all students

Commences with a full week in September and thereafter one day per week for the remainder of the academic year.

A blended learning approach is utilised in the delivery of theoretical content which includes lectures, group discussions and self-directed learning. The assessment process is a combination of written and practical assignments. This course includes clinical and practice based learning and assessment and students may be required to attend additional sessions at associated service provider sites as well as at the student's practice base during year one of the course.

Year Two - second year part-time Masters students

Students attend workshops throughout the academic year and produce a dissertation under supervision.

Course Options

Entry via
(i) Direct Entry to M.Sc. 1 year full-time,
(ii) Direct Entry to M.Sc. 2 years part-time with P.Grad.Dip. exit award option after 1 year part-time or continuation to M.Sc. award.
(iii) Direct Entry to P.Grad.Cert. 1 year part-time: Exit award after 1 year part-time P.Grad.Cert. or flexible route within 5 years of admission to the P.Grad.Cert. followed by P.Grad.Dip. 1 year part-time followed by M.Sc. 1 year part-time

Closing Date - 30 June 2018

Entry Requirements

1. Registration as a nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland, or in the case of international applicants for theory only strands, be registered as a professional nurse who is entitled to practice as a qualified or registered nurse in their own country.
2. To hold at least an honours degree in nursing.
3. Or otherwise satisfy the course committee that they have the ability to complete and benefit from the course, subject to the discretion/permission of the Dean of Graduate
4. Studies.

Documentation required to complete application

Contact details of 2 academic referees or 1 academic reference and 1 clinical reference

Copies of academic transcripts from completed educational courses

Copies of official awards (parchment) from completed educational courses