Postgraduate Diploma In Nursing (Oncology)

Course details

The Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing (Oncology) is designed for registered nurses who wish to pursue a specialism in Oncological Nursing. This programme is offered full-time over one calendar year. Taught components of the programme are delivered in a blended learning format. Blended learning is an innovative teaching strategy which involves a combination of face-to-face and on-line learning. This means that most 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. The programme is comprised of seven theory/practice modules and three clinical assessments. In all modules there is an emphasis on exploring the relevance of module content to practice, similarly, practice placements allow students to explore "new" knowledge in practice, enabling them an opportunity to integrate theory and practice. Students are required to undertake their clinical practice in an approved clinical practice setting within Ireland normally within the students' own work setting.

Students are required to complete a minimum of 1,000 clinical hours over the duration of the 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

All applicants must meet the following entry requirements:

1. Be a registered nurse on the General Nurse Pision of the Register maintained by An Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann.
2. Have a minimum of two years post-registration experience (exclusive of post-registration courses).
3. Be currently working in a designated Oncology setting (e.g. oncology in-patient unit, haematology-oncology day unit, radiotherapy department) and have as a minimum six months clinical experience in this specialist area.
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 on a topic relevant to oncology nursing. To be considered for admission, this essay must be at the level expected of an honours degree candidate (Level 8).

Course Outline

Module

• Clinical Governance: Supporting safe practice (core)
• Using research in practice (core)
• Experiencing Cancer (Specialist)
• The Cancer Trajectory (Specialist)
• Cancer Management: the Nursing Perspective on a Treatment Journey (Specialist)
• Option Module*
• Service Improvement Module (core)
• Clinical Assessment 1
• Clinical Assessment 2
• Clinical Assessment 3

*Students may select one of the following optional modules:

• Clinical Supervision
• Collaboration and Interagency Working
• End-Of-Life Care: Psychological and social perspectives
• Advanced Wound Care Management
• Empowering Clients to Self-Manage Chronic Diseases