Overview
The Higher Diploma in Children’s Nursing is a collaborative programme delivered by the School of Nursing, Psychotherapy and Community Health in DCU and Children’s Health Ireland. It is delivered by academic and clinical leaders in the field of children’s nursing, and graduates are guaranteed employment as Registered Children’s Nurses (RCN) nationally and internationally.
As you are already registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI), you will bring your existing theoretical knowledge and clinical experience to the course which will be enhanced and built upon throughout your studies. We aim to foster a mindset of lifelong learners and appreciate that you already have that philosophy as you are pursuing further career development.
All you need for a career in children's nursing
During the course, you’ll gain extensive clinical exposure alongside evidence based theoretical knowledge and skills, ensuring you’ll feel confident to work in any paediatric healthcare setting worldwide. Our curriculum is developed in line with the NMBI Standards and Requirements for Post-Registration programmes and based on the principles of cyclical and continuous learning.
Every graduate is guaranteed to find employment once they have completed this course. Possible career pathways include working in public or private healthcare settings, occupational health or education, either in Ireland or abroad. You may also opt to continue your professional education to Master’s and PhD level.
DCU People
This has been a uniquely interesting programme. Generally, it is quite intensive and fast-paced with a large burden on the student for self-directed learning and research.
Read more about Nwigbo Ogechukwu
I have always been passionate about learning and empowering others.
Read more about Joy Conlon
Careers & Further Options
Careers
Qualified nurses who undertake the Higher Diploma in Children's Nursing course have greater opportunities in the vast area of public and private healthcare at home and abroad. You may also opt to continue your professional education to Master’s and PhD level.
DCU graduates are highly sought after by employers. Our Graduates work in environments ranging from large multinationals to SMEs, family businesses and start-ups across every sector.
DCU Careers Service has a number of learning and development initiatives in place for our students, giving them the skills they need for a successful career path.
Entry Requirements
Applicants must be:
A registered nurse or eligible to register with Bord Altranais agus Cnaimhseachais na hEireann (Nursing and MIdwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI)) as a Registered General Nurse, a Registered Psychiatric Nurse, Registered Nurse Intellectual Disability;
AND
Hold a Diploma in nursing or judged equivalent.
AND
Students must have at least six months post-registration clinical nursing experience.
Applicants who do not have a Diploma in Nursing (or judged equivalent) will have their prior certified learning and professional experience assessed through a system of Recognition of Prior Learning. Such
applicants should contact the course co-ordinator for further information.
There are no additional entry requirements for this programme apart from the general entry requirements for admission to the university.
There are no additional entry requirements for this programme apart from the general entry requirements for admission to the university.
No Entry Path
International candidates are expected to have educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to those outlined above. In addition, where such candidates are non-native speakers of the English language they must satisfy the university of their competency in the English language. For further information on international applications click here.
Course Structure
This one-year, full-time course includes twelve weeks of lectures, thirty six weeks of clinical experience and four weeks annual leave. Lectures are delivered in the School of Nursing, Psychotherapy and Community Health at DCU. The programme commences with a three-week block of lectures in DCU and thereafter students spend two days per week in DCU during the academic semesters.
Students will undertake 36-weeks clinical practice within the clinical environment of Children’s Health Ireland at Temple Street, , attending partner services for specialist placements as required.
For the course’s duration, students will be employees of Children’s Health Ireland. Upon completion of the course, students will be eligible to register with Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland) as a Registered Children’s Nurse (RCN).
Fees and Funding
Fees
How To Apply
Please see Application Procedures or E-mail ugadmissions@dcu.ie.
The closing date for submissions of CV’s and letter of application is 16th February 2025. Applications must be completed through the advertised post on *CHI.jobs* by clicking ‘*Apply for Job*’. Applications will not be accepted through direct email or any other method.
To apply visit: https://chi.jobs/prcns/
For informal enquiries please contact suzanne.cullen@childrenshealthireland.ie
For enquiries about this recruitment process, please contact recruitment@childrenshealthireland.ie
For academic queries related to the programme in DCU please contact sara.raftery@dcu.ie
Life On Campus
At DCU, our students can expect a unique campus experience. We are known for our excellent teaching and learning facilities, our active clubs and societies, and our great social and sporting facilities. All this makes DCU an exciting place to be.
DCU has three academic campuses; Glasnevin, St. Patrick’s and All Hallows (both in Drumcondra), all close to Dublin City centre.
They can be reached by public transport, Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann, with our Drumcondra campuses a ten minute walk from Drumcondra Train Station. Glasnevin is a 20 minute walk from St Patrick’s and All Hallows. They are also linked by Dublin Bus.
Each campus has a library (O’Reilly, Cregan and Woodlock Hall), study spaces, restaurants, and on-campus residencies. There are sports facilities on Glasnevin and St. Patrick’s, and there is a dedicated sports campus, St Claire’s, located near Glasnevin on the Ballymun Road.
DCU’s 19,000 students have access to exceptional teaching and learning facilities across our three academic campuses.
These include modern learning theatres, research centres, a new media and TV studio, radio/podcast studios, computer suites and advanced labs in the areas of Languages, Engineering, Physics, Chemistry and Biotechnology, as well as a Sports Performance centre and a training hospital ward. In 2021, we opened our first virtual reality ‘Leadership Lab’, which is located in our Business School.
We continue to improve and update our facilities. For example, construction of a new world-class STEM facility is underway on the Glasnevin campus. With capacity for an extra 3,000 STEM students, this facility will advance DCU’s international reputation for excellence in science and health, computing and engineering disciplines.
Studying in DCU isn’t just about course work. The university is rich in student life and activities.
There are more than 140 clubs and societies for students in DCU, with ‘Clubs & Socs’ days taking place on both the Glasnevin and Drumcondra campuses at the start of the academic year. They span everything from rugby to rock climbing, anime to jazz.
For many students, sport is an important part of the DCU experience. DCU’s Sports Complex boasts a 25 metre swimming pool, fitness centre gym, all-weather pitches and squash courts, as well as soccer, GAA and rugby pitches. DCU Dóchas Éireann, the university’s GAA club, is the largest third level Gaelic Games club in the country. Meanwhile, DCU Athletics has been Ireland’s highest achieving university club for many years. And DCU has dozens of other clubs to get involved in, from Archery to Weightlifting.
The Glasnevin campus is home to our purpose built, state-of-the-art student centre, The U, which serves the needs of a rapidly growing student body. Here, you will find the Student Leadership and Lifeskills Centre, performing arts and cultural spaces for students and the wider community, and the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Hub. Also located on our Glasnevin campus is The Helix, our renowned performing arts centre.
On our St Patrick’s campus, we have the Java Student Hub, a vibrant, warm and welcoming space where students can meet for coffee, play music, use the projector to watch events, or just relax. The walls of the Java Hub were designed based on the cultural history of St Patrick’s Campus, including the special references to the notable sporting history and history of the arts.
We have a number of academic, professional and social supports for students.
Student Advice & Learning Skills Centre - Offers a wide range of supports and services to students and advice
The Writing Centre - drop-in writing workshops for students through the academic year
Maths Learning Centre - provides maths support for students of all ability levels with maths modules
Student Learning - facilitate the transition from passive to active learning for students at DCU, by teaching study skills, nurturing critical thinking and building student confidence.
Careers work with students to help them on their professional journey into graduate employment.
Our student support team offers a comprehensive support programme, helping students make that all important transition into university life and focusing on building confidence and skills which are key to success at third level.
DCU Glasnevin Campus
FAQs
Is DCU all one campus?
DCU is a multi campus university - the Glasnevin, St Patrick's and All Hallows campuses. The St Patrick's campus is where the Education courses are taught and some of the subjects from the BA Joint Honours degree. There is a 20-25 minute walk between the campuses but there are buses and bikes available to go between them also.
Click here to see maps of all of our campuses
If I'm studying on the St Patrick's campus, can I use the library and sports centre on the Glasnevin campus?
Yes, all facilities such as sports and accommodation are open for all DCU students to avail of.
Are there libraries in DCU and if they have wifi and work stations?
We have a brand new state of the art four floor library on our St. Patrick's Campus which complements the existing library on the Glasnevin campus. There is free wifi, work stations as well as desktop computers.
Does DCU provide accommodation?
DCU does have on-campus accommodation for undergraduate and postgraduate students, and you can find out more and apply via the Accommodation Office webpage.
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