School of Nursing and Human Sciences
Certificate in Nurse/Midwife Prescribing
Fact File
| Duration: | 1 Year |
|---|---|
| Type of degree: | Part-time |
| Contact: | Ms Mary Kelly |
Understanding the Course:
As a result of significant legislative changes in 2007 prescriptive authority is extended to nurses and midwives who meet the legal and professional criteria to discharge the function, and who have successfully undertaken a relevant programme of education. DCU School of Nursing now offers the Certificate in Nurse/Midwife Prescribing which aims to equip nurses and midwives with the requisite knowledge, competence and skills for effective prescribing practice.
The programme is delivered over two academic semesters and includes a combination of clinical practice, face-to-face lectures, seminars, group work, tutorials and online learning activities. On completion of the programme you will have acquired the competencies for effective prescribing practice and will be enabled to apply for registration as a Registered Nurse Prescriber with An Bord Altranais.
About You:
The Certificate in Nurse / Midwife Prescribing* has been developed by an inter-professional team and is designed specifically for nurses and midwives in a wide variety of care settings who wish to extend their professional nursing and midwifery practice to include prescribing.
Course Structure:
The programme is at Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications. It consists of three modules - two academic modules and one clinical practice module. You are required to complete all three modules successfully. The modules commence in September and end in May, running over two 12-week semesters. For the academic component of the programme you will attend DCU for a total of twelve days (six days each semester) in addition to an orientation day in September. You will also take part in online learning activities at a time and location that is convenient to you. This allows for greater flexibility in your learning. For the clinical practice module you will work under the supervision and guidance of a nominated mentor for twelve days (96 hours). The mentor must be identified in advance of the programme and must be a medical practitioner at consultant or general practitioner level.
View the subjects currently taught on this course (2012 - 2013)
By attending the Certificate in Nurse/Midwife prescribing at DCU you will benefit from:
- State of the art clinical education and library facilities on campus
- An inter-professional team of lecturers with vast experience in clinical practice, education and research
- A student-centred approach to the online learning activities that allows learning to take place at a time and location convenient to you
- An online learning environment (Moodle) that allows for easy access of online teaching and learning materials
Career Prospects:
When you graduate from this programme you will be awarded a Certificate in Nurse/Midwife Prescribing* (Level 8). In addition, successful completion of the programme enables you to apply for registration as a Registered Nurse Prescriber with An Bord Altranais.
Entry Requirements:
To be considered eligible for entry to this programme you will have:
- Current active registration with An Bord Altranais and will be practicing in
- At least three years post-registration experience in nursing/midwifery within the past five years
- At least one year of full-time equivalent experience in the area in which you intend to prescribe within the past five years
- A primary degree which is recognised at Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications. If you do not possess a Level 8 degree you will be considered for admission on the basis of DCU's recognigtion of Prior Learning Policy (RPL)
- A competent level of information technology literacy
- Support from your employer to undertake the programme
- Confirmation that a nominated medical practitioner will act as your mentor
- A Site Declaration Form which must be completed on behalf of your health service provider by the director of nursing/midwifery or a relevant nurse/midwife manager and submitted with the application. This confirms that the health service provider meets a range of essential criteria to support the candidate and registered nurse/midwife prescriber
Closing date for applications is 30th July 2012. Applicants must apply directly to the Registry using the R10N Certificate in Nurse/Midwife Prescribing Application Form.
