Prospective Students

Higher Diploma in Children's Nursing

Fact File

Duration:	Year Long
Type of degree:	Full-time

Understanding the Course:

Providing qualified nurses with the skills to enable them to meet the changing healthcare needs of children and families

Understanding Children's Nursing (Higher Diploma)
The Higher Diploma in Children's Nursing is a one-year, full-time course designed to meet the needs of registered nurses who wish to register as a Children's Nurse (RCN) or for those who are currently involved in the provision of care to children who do not have a children's nursing qualification. The aim of the course is to ensure that students are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to practice as a competent and professional registered children's nurse. It is delivered at level 8 (NQAI, 2005).
The course is designed to enhance knowledge and skills that have been developed during pre-registration and post-registration nurse education and through experience as a qualified practitioner. Students will be encouraged to take responsibility for their own learning and to integrate the theory of children's nursing with practical experiences in the clinical environment. The Higher Diploma in Children's Nursing course aims to prepare nurses to be innovators, to think critically and creatively and to have well-developed decision making and problem solving skills. It also aims to foster skills for lifelong learning, as this course places an emphasis on the personal and professional development of each student.

About You:

Applicants must:

Be a registered nurse or eligible to register with An Bord Altranais as a Registered General Nurse, a Registered Nurse (Psychiatry), Registered Nurse (Intellectual Disability); a Registered Nurse (Midwifery), and
Hold a Diploma in Nursing or judged equivalent. This requirement will be assessed (please see additional information below), or
Successfully complete access modules offered by the School of Nursing at DCU or any other third-level institution.
Normally possess a minimum of six months' clinical experience post-registration.

Course Structure:

This one-year, full-time course will include 12 weeks of lectures, 36 weeks of clinical experience and four weeks' holidays. All the lectures are delivered in the School of Nursing at DCU. Upon completion of the course, students will be eligible to register with An Bord Altranais as a Children's Nurse (RCN).

Students will undertake the 36 weeks' clinical practice within the clinical environment in the Children's University Hospital, Temple Street, attending partner services for specialist placements. The 36 weeks will be divided into three practice modules and will include four weeks' holidays at a specified time. For the duration of the course, students will be employees of the Children's University Hospital, Temple Street, Dublin 1.

View the subjects currently taught on this course (2012 - 2013)

Lecturers with vast experience in children's nursing practice, education and research.
State-of-the-art clinical education facilities.
Diverse range of clinical placements in partnership with the Children's University Hospital.
Friendly, supportive clinical and educational environment.
Online environment that enables students to access electronic teaching and learning materials.

Career Prospects:

Qualified nurses who undertake the Higher Diploma in Children's Nursing course have greater opportunities in the vast healthcare area at home and abroad. There are also further opportunities for nurses to continue their professional education to Masters level.

Entry Requirements:

Applicants must be: a registered nurse/midwife or eligible to register with An Bord Altranais as a Registered General Nurse, a Registered Nurse (Psychiatry), Registered Nurse (Intellectual Disability) or a Registered Midwife;

Hold a Diploma in nursing or judged equivalent.

Successfully complete access modules offered by the School of Nursing at DCU or any other third-level institution.

Students should normally possess a minimum of six months clinical experience post-registration.

Applicants who do not have a Diploma in Nursing (or judged equivalent) will have their prior certified learning assessed through a system of APEL (Approved Prior Experiential Learning) and will be advised to complete the access modules successfully. Each individual's application will be assessed by the APEL Board for evidence of prior certified learning and deficits in prior certified learning to Diploma level. If you have successfully completed a research module(s) at degree level, you can apply for an exemption from the Research module.