Postgraduate Diploma In Nursing (Mental Health, Community And Inpatient Acute Care)

Course details

This programme is designed for registered nurses who wish to develop their knowledge and skills in Mental Health, Community and Inpatient Acute Care. The programme aims to develop knowledgeable, caring practitioners who have a high level of specialist skills in Mental Health Nursing. It is offered in partnership with the Health Service Executive, West.

The programme is offered. It consists of both theoretical and clinical components. A blended learning approach is adopted in the delivery of this programme. Students are required to attend face to face workshops across the programme (in blocks of two days at a time) Students are required to complete a minimum of 1,000 clinical hours before completing this programme.

Special Features

The course is approved by An Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann and has a clinical focus, offering opportunities to develop specialist skills. The programme is offered through a blended learning format - a combination of online and face-to-face learning and teaching. Blended learning is an innovative and flexible approach to learning, making it possible to combine working full-time with studying.

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

1. Be registered on the psychiatric Pision of the Nurse’s Register maintained by An Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann.
2. Have a minimum of one year post-registration experience (exclusive of post-registration courses) in mental health nursing.
3. Be currently working in the required specialist area, i.e., Mental Health, and have as a minimum six months clinical experience in this specialist area, working in a setting which requires him/her to care for mentally ill clients.
4. Satisfy the selection panel that they have the ability to complete the programme.
5. Applicants who do not hold an honours degree or higher diploma (Level 8) may apply but must clearly demonstrate their capacity to complete a programme at this level.

In addition to the other requirements outlined above, these applicants are required to submit a 1,000 word literature based essay. To be considered for admission, this essay must be at the level expected of an honours degree candidate (Level 8).

Course Outline

Modules

• Collaboration and Interagency Working
• Clinical Governance: Supporting Safe Practice (core)
• Using Research in Practice (core)
• Partnerships in Mental Health Care (Service User/Carer/Service Provider)/li>
• Psychosocial Interventions in Health Care
• Option module*
• Service Improvement
• Clinical Assessment 1
• Clinical Assessment 2
• Clinical Assessment 3

*Students may select one of the following optional modules:

• Managing the Physical Health Needs of People with a Serious Mental Illness
• Empowering Clients to Self-Manage Chronic Diseases
• Clinical Supervision: Supporting Continuing Professional Development (CPD)