Postgrad Diploma / MSc in Nursing (Part-time)

Introduction

Thank you for your interest in the new post graduate programmes at WIT. The following provides information regarding the design, structure and delivery of these new unique programmes to enable you to make a decision regarding suitability for your own professional development.

The Post Graduate Diploma/MSc programmes focus on an enquiry based and practice based curriculum model that addresses the individual needs of the student while supporting practice development in service. The curriculum provides a structured framework that enables the student to further develop knowledge, skills and competencies in their specialist area of practice. Within the programme the student is required to apply the learning outcomes for each of the modules to their own specific area of practice and study. The course is most suitable for a committed, self-directed learner who is motivated to explore and develop their practice within the guidance and support of academic and clinical supervision. 

Practice based Learning and Enquiry based Learning

It is recognised that the knowledge and skills needed in practice cannot be taught solely through formal lecturers. Developing higher level practice requires new kinds of competencies including independent knowledge acquisition and application, problem solving and multidimensional professional skills for continuing learning. We see practice based learning and enquiry based learning as the means through which this can be established, reinforced and internalised by the student.

Within this programme students are required to continuously reflect on and develop their practice. Flanagan (2000) describes work based learning (synonymous with practice based learning) as the bringing together of self-knowledge, expertise in practice and formal knowledge. Practice based learning benefits the student and the employer as it enables practice development through the integration of theory with practice (Hargreaves, 1996). Enquiry based learning involves the investigation of real world problems that are experienced in practice. Students work in enquiry groups to discuss and address the problem/topic of enquiry they have been presented with then engage in individual investigations of identified issues. Students then review what they have learned from working on the problem with their enquiry group. The student uses an array of resources to understand and perhaps refine practice (Price, 2003).  Enquiry based learning has often been described as hard but fun learning .

Programme Nomenclatures

Post Graduate Diploma/MSc in one of the seven nomenclatures of nursing as outlined by the Commission of Nursing (1998)

• High dependency nursing, (this broad band might include areas such as coronary care, intensive therapy (psychiatry) and neonatal intensive care nursing)
• Rehabilitation and habilitation nursing, (this broad band might include areas such as care of the elderly, spinal injuries and palliative care nursing)
• Medical surgical nursing, (this broad band might include areas such as oncology, infection control, stoma care, neurosciences and anaesthesia nursing)
• Maternal and child health nursing, (this broad band might include areas such as parent craft, ultrasonography, paediatric cardiology and paediatric oncology nursing)
• Community health nursing, (this broad band might include areas such as health education and health promotion, family development and community psychiatry)
• Mental health nursing, (this broad band might include areas such as addiction counselling and behaviour therapy)
• Disability nursing, (this broad band might include areas such as sensory stimulation and challenging behaviour).

Students will be given the opportunity to pursue a programme in one of these broad nomenclatures. This course allows the student to focus on developing their skills knowledge and competencies within a specific area of practice.

Admission Criteria

Admission criteria are based on the notion of assessment of capability to engage with post-graduate study. Nurses applying for admission to this Post-graduate/ Master of Science programme will be judged on the basis of the totality of their experience and qualifications at the time of application rather than any one criteria alone.

Applicants for Post Graduate Diploma/Year One should normally:

1. Be registered as a nurse/midwife on any part of the register maintained by An Bord Altranais.
2. Have completed a baseline honours degree in nursing or hold another recognised qualification which is approved as a suitable alternative to a primary degree.
3. Have practiced professionally as a nurse after registration for a minimum of two years from the date of registration. This must include no less than one year’s engagement (whole time equivalent) in the specialist area they choose to study.
4. Be currently engaged in clinical practice - a minimum of 20 hours per week.
5. Have support from their clinical managers to facilitate learning in practice.

Applicants for the Masters programme will normally:

1. Need to meet the entry requirements for Year 1
2. Have successfully completed the requirements of the Post Graduate Diploma curriculum (60 credits level 9) at Merit 1 /Second Class Honours (60%) or
3. Have completed a relevant Post Graduate Diploma (60 credits level 9) at Merit1 /Second Class Honours (60%) The student may be required to attend interview or prepare some written work to ensure their suitability at MSc level.

Recognition of prior learning

1. Accreditation of prior certified learning: There is an Accreditation and Validation panel (AVP) established within the Department of Nursing.  Students may submit academic credit at level 8 and 9, in accordance with the APL guidelines, for exemption from particular modules. It is envisaged that students will apply for exemptions when applying for the programme
2. Accreditation of prior experiential learning: Life long learning from experiences can be a valuable source of academic credit. Individuals can reflect on those experiences and develop a portfolio of evidence of their achievements which the student may submit in applying for access to the Post-graduate diploma in the absence of holding academic qualifications. The structured framework would be the formation of the portfolio as described within the BSc Nursing Studies. It is also possible that experiential learning can be accredited leading to an exemption for a specific module or element of a course. Students requesting such an exemption are required to submit a portfolio of evidence that demonstrates experiential learning (knowledge and competence developement ) relative to the learning outcomes of module for which they are seeking an exemption. Module learning outcomes are available on request.

Programme Objectives: Post-Graduate Diploma

The programme aims to empower the student to develop recognised specific knowledge and competencies in their chosen clinical field that enhance their ability to deliver expert nursing care, whilst meeting the clinical nursing needs of service providers. Students will be able to:

• Critically engage in the development and implementation of effective nursing clinical practice through the acquisition of specialist knowledge and skills in their chosen clinical field.
• Adjust boundaries, pioneer change and contribute to the development of health and social policy.
• Evaluate, analyse and develop their own inter-professional clinical practice.
• Critically select, evaluate and use research-based evidence to inform their practice.
• Integrate theory and practice through practice related activities.
• Demonstrate development of skills of analysis, synthesis, evaluation, critical thinking, problem-solving and reflective practice.
• Apply variations in prescribed clinical options, within agreed protocols.
• Engage in teaching and advisory roles within their chosen clinical field.
• Facilitate and lead individual nurses and teams within their chosen clinical field.
• Initiate, develop and support the education process in their chosen specialist clinical field.

Programme Objectives: Master of Science

The programme aims to empower students to enhance further their acquired specialist knowledge and prepare them to act in more advanced clinical and leadership roles in the chosen clinical field, as service needs require. Students will be able to:

• Conduct research activities toward the development of evidence-based practice.
• Critically use and apply research in the interests of developing clinical practice.

Proposed format of Post-Graduate Diploma

This course is aimed at qualified nurses who wish to complement their previous learning and build their academic and clinical profile within a specialist clinical field. It is designed to reflect the recommendations of the Report of the Commissioning on Nursing (Government of Ireland, 1998) and National Council for the Development of Nursing and Midwifery (2004) to provide a means of progression required for further academic and clinical education in a specialist nursing area. The programme form consists of six modules, equating to 60 credits at level 9, consisting of four generic core modules and two modules reflecting a student’s specified clinical field. It is aimed to deliver the six modules over an academic year, students can take a slower option but all six modules need to be completed in two years from initial registration.

1. Research (10 credits): The aim of this module is to provide a critical understanding of 
   research paradigms in order to enable the expansion of knowledge essential to clinical practice.
2. Professional Caring in Context (5 credits): The aim of this module is to enable the student to evaluate critically their clinical practice within the context of professional caring
3. Politics of Health Care (5 credits): The aim of this module is to enable the student to critique the politico-legal factors that influence health care provision in their chosen clinical field.
4. Clinical Governance (10 credits): The aim of this module is to enable the student to analyse the issues involved in establishing clinical governance within the organisational context of health care related to their specialist area.
5. Clinical Practice I (10 credits): The aim of this module is to enable the student to analyse their role and identify essential skills and competencies to be integrated into a specific practice area.
6. Clinical Practice II (20 credits): The aim of this module is to enable the student to advance
    their knowledge, understanding and competency in essential skills within a specific practice area

Proposed format of Master of Science

The Master of Science is aimed at qualified nurses who wish to complement their previous learning and build their academic and clinical profile within a specialist clinical field. It is aimed to reflect the recommendations of the Report of the Commissioning on Nursing (1998) and National Council for the Development of Nursing and Midwifery (2004) to provide a means of progression required for further academic and clinical education. The programme form consists of two modules, equating to 60 credits at level 9. It is aimed to deliver the research modules over an academic year, students can take a slower option but all modules need to be completed in two years from initial registration.

1. Research Project I (30 credits): The aim of this module is to prepare the student to undertake a systematic investigation of a clinical/practice issue in their chosen clinical field and submit a research proposal
2. Research Project II (30 credits): The aim of this module is to enable the student to undertake a systematic investigation of a clinical/practice issue in their chosen clinical field and submit a research-based dissertation.

Teaching, Learning and Assessment Approaches

The teaching and assessment strategies for the Post-Graduate Diploma/ Master of Science programmes are founded on innovative proactive approaches to learning. Specifically they are based on both practice-based learning and enquiry-based learning which advocates reflective enquiry and contextual learning. Throughout the programme the students’ practice and experience will be drawn upon in order to enhance understanding and application of theoretical issues and to gain insight into the challenges of providing nursing and healthcare. A wide range of teaching/learning approaches will be used such as lectures, seminars, tutorials, enquiry based groups, clinical supervision in practice based learning, self-directed learning, E-learning and clinical simulation labs. At the core of this endeavour students will engage in individual and group learning activities that focus on developing their knowledge, skills and competence in their chosen clinical field.

Student Support

Clinical Supervisor: A learning approach that is work located means it is important that we ensure students are supported in the practice area. Students will be required to obtain confirmation from their service manager that they will be supported in their chosen clinical field. This will involve a commitment to guarantee protected time for study and provision of a clinical supervisor. It is an expectation of the course that the student will nominate and obtain the consent of a senior clinician to act in the role clinical supervisor. The criteria for selection and role of the clinical supervisor are outlined below.

Academic Supervisor: An academic supervisor will be provided for each student. The Academic supervisor will provide. 

Delivery

For the post graduate programme students will be expected to attend class every other week (Tuesdays) and meet with their enquiry group alternate weeks. For the MSc Programme class time will be less frequent as research supervision and peer group sessions will be the predominant method of learning support. (Please see attached proposed timetable).

Application Process and Selection Criteria

The interest in these programmes is high and places limited therefore not every applicant will be awarded a place. All complete applications will be reviewed by a selection panel (consisting of WIT and HSES members) and considered relative to specific criteria. 

Criteria for selection include the following:

1. Fulfilment of all elements of the admission criteria
   a. ABA registration
   b. Academic and professional qualifications
   c. Professional experience
   d. Current employment in practice area (minimum 20 hours week)
2. Support of clinical manager and director of nursing
3. Availability of a clinical supervisor
4. Ability of the employer to release the student for professional development studies
5. The service need for development of specialism within a practice area
6. The information provided by the student supporting their suitability for the course

Programme Fees

The fees for the Post Graduate Diploma (year one) are 3,450 euros and the MSc (year two) 3,450 euros.
Students may be able to apply for up to 50% of funding from the NMPDU with the submission of a learning contract. Further information regarding funding can be obtained from the NMPDU office (056-7785639).

Course Information Contacts

• Ms. Frances Finn (Course Leader, Lecturer in Nursing, WIT – 051-845550)
• Dr. John SG Wells (Head of Department of Nursing, WIT) – 051-845542
• Ms. Jennifer Cunningham (Professional Learning Facilitator) - 087 1392405

If you are interested in one of these programmes please consult with your clinical nurse manager and director of nursing.  

References

• Flanagan J (2000) Work based learning as a means of developing and assessing nursing competence, Journal of Clinical Nursing 9(3)360-368
• Government of Ireland (1998) Report of the Commission on Nursing: A Blueprint for the Future Stationery Office, Dublin
• Hargreaves J (1996) Credit where credit’s due – work based learning in professional practice. Journal of Clinical Nursing  5(3) 165-169
• National Council for Professional Development of Nursing and Midwifery (2004) Framework for the establishment of advanced nurse practitioner ands advanced midwife practitioner posts, Dublin, NCPDNM
• Price B. (2003) Studying Nursing Problem-Based and Enquiry Based Learning Palgrave
  

How to apply

All applications to online facility at http://www.pac.ie

Closing Dates

The general closing date for application to taught postgraduate programmes commencing in September 2011 is Friday, June 10th 2011. Applications received after this date may be processed where vacancies exist.