2012/2013

Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health Nursing

NFQ Level 9, Major Award

The Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health Nursing is a full-time programme running for 10 months from the date of first registration for the programme. Students passing the Postgraduate Diploma will be eligible for registration with An Bórd Altranais as a Registered Public Health Nurse.

Entry Requirements
Before admission to the programme of education and training leading to registration in the Public Health Nurses Division of the Register, the name of the candidate for registration must already be entered in the General Division of the Register of Nurses. Candidates must have evidence of a minimum of two years general nursing experience, of which 12 months should be consecutive. Unless the candidate's name is registered in the Midwives Division of the Register, the candidate must complete an An Bord Altranais approved module or unit of study on Maternal and Child Health as part of the programme. Candidates must have undertaken a programme of study at National Framework of Qualifications academic level 8 (Honours Degree or Higher Diploma) or provide evidence that they can perform at this level, thereby satisfying the university/college that they have the ability to complete the programme. If English is not the first language, fluency must be demonstrated (IELTS 7 or higher). Admission to the programme will be subject to the internal university approval process.

Exemptions at the Point of Entry to the Programme
Suitably qualified applicants with relevant Midwifery registration may on acceptance of a place, make a request for exemption from the Maternal and Child Health Nursing module to be considered by the College of Medicine and Health. Exemption forms for this and other modules are available from the School of Nursing and Midwifery.

Programme Requirements
Students take modules to the value of 60 credits incorporating 300 hours of structured contact time and clinical practicum.

Students take 60 credits as follows:

NU6041 Public Health Nursing: Principles and Professional Issues (10 credits)
NU6042 Children, Young People and Families (10 credits)
NU6043 Adults and Older People in the Community (5 credits)
NU6044 Health and Health Promotion: Concepts and Principles (5 credits)
NU6046 Research for Community Nurses (5 credits)
NU6047 Clinical Placement: Public Health Nursing (5 credits)
NU6054 Maternal and Child Health Nursing (10 credits)
SS6015 Community Development (5 credits)
SS6016 Health and Personal Social Services (5 credits)

Module descriptions are contained in the Book of Modules 2012/2013.

Examinations
Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2013 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules 2012/2013.

Programme Learning Outcomes for Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health Nursing (NFQ Level 9, Major award) (An Bord Altranais, 2005, p12)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Practice as a competent accountable autonomous public health nurse, assessing planning, and implementing interventions on the basis of research, evidence and evaluation;
• Work in partnership to support and empower individuals and carers/families/groups and communities to influence and use available services, information and skills to the full and participate in decisions concerning their care;
• Acknowledge individuals/families/groups and communities rights to make their own decisions about their health and social well-being and set their own priorities;
• Lead/co-ordinate and/or participate in all types of community health needs assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of health education programmes and care interventions;
• Assess, plan, implement and evaluate maternal and child health care in a primary care context and within the nurse’s scope of practice.
• Encourage community participation and work in partnership with voluntary workers in health enhancing activities;
• Work collaboratively within the interdisciplinary/ multidisciplinary environment to maximise their contribution to health improvement in the local community;
• Be able to identify health inequalities and take action with communities, populations and others to address issues of health, social inequalities, and social exclusion demonstrating and increased focus on public health within contemporary practice;
• Develop, implement and evaluate health promotion and health education strategies;
• Demonstrate an awareness of policy development and strategic planning in the health services;
• Act as a resource of expertise in public health within an interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary setting, demonstrating the nursing contribution to public health within contemporary practice;
• Apply leadership skills to improve the health and well being of individuals/ families/ groups and communities across a care pathway;
• Develop competence in the ability to analyse health policy and the political, social, economic and environmental factors influencing health at a National, European and international level.