Course Details
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Brief Description
The MSc Advanced Practice (Nursing) provides registered nurses with opportunities to expand knowledge and skills personally and professionally, to practice both autonomously and collaboratively in a defined area of advanced nursing practice, meeting national health policy reform in addressing population healthcare needs.
The benefits of advanced nursing are extensively evident in both national and international literature (Department of Health 2017). The programme is in keeping with global developments in nursing, offering a career pathway for graduate nurses who meet the criteria.
(M) Microcreds available:
Modules listed within the Programme Content with an (M) beside them are MicroCreds and can be taken independently.
The MSc Advanced Practice (Nursing) provides registered nurses with opportunities to expand knowledge and skills personally and professionally, to practice both autonomously and collaboratively in a defined area of advanced nursing practice, meeting national health policy reform in addressing population healthcare needs. This programme was developed in collaboration within a Consortium that includes 5 universities; UCD, UCC, NUIG, TCD, and UL.
The part-time Level 9 programme offers a range of modules supporting the development of an advanced practitioner, who is innovative at assessing and managing risk; has responsibility for decisions made, is research active, is person centred, an interconnected team worker and patient advocate. Theory and practice are integrated throughout the programme. On completion, students will be eligible to apply for registration as an Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP) and a Registered Nurse Prescriber (RNP) with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).
Advantages of studying in UL
- Excellent library facilities
- Dedicated student supports (Writing Centre, Blended learning and Student centre)
- The supervisor provides the student with academic supervision and supports
- Supervised Research Project in year 2
Programme pathways are intended to be individualised and flexible and learning experiences are designed to be interactive, interweaving theory and practice. Blended learning is central to programme delivery, supporting interaction with traditional face-to-face classroom and flexibility and access to resources at any time or venue by remote access via computer, mobile device, or virtual classroom. Usually students attend for seven days in Autumn, Semester 1 (details to be finalised).
Students will be based in practice throughout the programme and are required to complete the practice requirements as stipulated by NMBI (2018) . Each student will be under the guidance and clinical supervision of an experienced practitioner, providing learning opportunities and completion of clinical competencies, formalised through a completed Site Declaration Form.
Programme structures depending on route of entry
| Year 1 (69 ECTS credits) | |
| Semester 1 (33 ECTS credits) | Semester 2 (36 ECTS credits) |
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| Year 2 (51 ECTS credits) | |
| Semester 1 (18 ECTS credits) | Semester 2 (33 ECTS credits) |
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(M) A MicroCred is a single module within a larger further award (eg. Certificate, Diploma, Masters). By taking a micro-credential you may be eligible to apply for a credit exemption should you progress to study for a further award.
Applicants must have a minimum of an honours primary degree in Nursing with a minimum award of 2h2 (level 8 recognised ) or equivalent. Hold active registration on a division of the professional register maintained by the NMBI. Recognition of appropriate prior learning RPL Form. Provide evidence of support from an employer.
Applicants must comply with current minimum entry requirements for admission to the programme of education for nurse/midwife prescribing; the candidate must have three years’ recent post registration clinical experience in nursing (this must be within the past five years) with the equivalent of one-year full-time experience in the specific area of practice Post Registration Clinical Experience (please complete and upload with your application).
Must provide nomination and confirmation of a clinical supervisor (consultant or Advance Practice Nurse) (completed Site Declaration Forms in below section).
The Professional Mentor form should be filled out by an Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) or higher.
The Clinical Mentor form should be filled out by a Consultant Doctor or Advanced Practice Nurse.
The Director of Nursing Support form should be filled out by the Director of Nursing (DON)
What to Include with your Application
- Qualification transcripts and certificates
- NMBI registration certificate
- Completed Post Registration Clinical Experience Form
- Your Site Declaration Forms x 3: Professional Mentor Agreement, Clinical Mentor Agreement, Director of Nursing Support
- A copy of your birth certificate/passport
- If your qualifications have been obtained in a country where English is an official language this will suffice
- If this is not available, the following additional documents must be provided:
- English translation of your qualification(s)/transcripts AND
- English language competency certificate
- Please click here for Further Information on English Language Requirements
Guidelines on Completing your application
To ensure a speedy assessment of your application, please upload the above documents with your application form.
Please title appropriately any documents you are uploading with the application form, for example "Supporting Statement", "Undergraduate Transcript", "Postgraduate Transcript", "English Language Certificate" etc.
Minimum Language Requirements
Where an applicant's first language is neither English nor Irish, excellent use of one of these languages must be demonstrated (either by having completed a degree in an English or Irish speaking country or by passing the International English Language Testing System exam, Academic Format, with an overall grade level of at least 6.5 (IELTS) and no score below 6 in any individual part).
EU - €6,000 per annum*
Non- EU - €6,000 per annum*
*Please note year 2 fees are subject to change
Further information on fees and payment of fees is available from the website. All fee related queries should be directed to the Student Fees Office (Phone: +353 61 213 007 or email student.fees.office@ul.ie.)
The programme offers students an opportunity to interweave practice and theory in advancing personal and professional development within the scope of their discipline.
Knowledge generated will further expand an ability to articulate and collaborate in delivering effective woman-centred, evidence based practice utilising strategies for optimum care delivery.
Fostering insights into the unique contribution of advanced practice will inform responsible and accountable proactive responses to individual and population health care reform. Advanced practitioners undertake advanced health assessments informing decision making and guiding interventions in consultation within multidisciplinary teams.