Postgraduate Diploma In Nursing (Child And Adolescent Mental Health)

Course details

The programme is comprised of 7 theory/practice modules, including a Service Improvement Project. In addition students will complete 3 practice assessments, one in each trimester. The overall course is viewed as interconnected and interdependent. In all modules there is an emphasis on exploring the relevance of module content to practice. Whilst undertaking the programme, students will continue to work in a setting caring for children/young people. Practice assignments are structured to allow students to explore “new” knowledge in the reality of their practice, thus providing them with an opportunity to integrate theory and practice

Programme aims and objectives

This programme aims to further enhance nurses’ ability to provide effective, appropriate, high quality, evidence-based care for children/young people and their families. In all modules there is an emphasis on developing and improving clinical practice. Students will be challenged to critically examine the relevance and applicability of the content explored in class to their own practice. An important objective of this programme is to encourage students to develop into competent, knowledgeable and compassionate professionals, who have the ability to respond positively to children and adolescents whose autonomy, self- confidence and self-esteem may be altered by virtue of their mental distress; assisting with the resultant impact on families/carers.

This programme is offered full-time over one calendar year. On successful completion of the programme, students will be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing (Child and Adolescent Mental Health). Taught components of the programme are delivered via a blended learning format and classroom teaching. Blended learning is an innovative teaching strategy which involves a combination of face-to-face and on-line learning. This means that some learning/teaching will be delivered on-line through Blackboard, an interactive learning system which connects directly to the University from your own home computer. Students are required to attend face-to-face workshops for a total of 12 days across the programme. In all modules there is an emphasis on exploring the relevance of module content to practice. Similarly, practice placements (largely in students' own work setting) allow students to explore “new” knowledge in practice, allowing an opportunity to integrate theory and practice. Students are required to complete a minimum of 1000 hours clinical practice over the duration of the programme.

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

All applicants must meet the minimum academic requirements:

• Be a registered psychiatric nurse according to An Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann stipulations.
• Hold an active nursing registration with An Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann.
• Hold an honours degree or equivalent.
• Have practised as a nurse for a minimum of one year post registration (excluding post registration/educational programmes).
• Have a minimum of six months experience working in a child and adolescent mental health setting, or a setting where they have gained experience working with children or adolescents with a mental health problem.
• Be currently working in a setting which requires him/her to care for children or adolescents with a mental health problem.

Those who do not hold an honours degree or equivalent need to demonstrate the capacity to perform at this level. This requires writing a 1,000 word literature based essay which will be judged to determine its equivalence to an honours degree (or Level 8) programme. Click here for guidelines on this essay.

Course Outline

Programme content (subject to change)

Module

• Using Research in Practice
• Psychosocial Interventions (1)
• Psychosocial Interventions (2)
• Wellness and Ill Health in Children and Adolescents
• Clinical Governance: Supporting Safe Practice
• Clinical Supervision
• Service Improvement
• Clinical Assessment 1
• Clinical Assessment 2
• Clinical Assessment 3