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1. Study
2. Postgraduate
3. Taught Courses
4. Postgraduate Diploma
5. Nursing (Trauma and Emergency Nursing)

Course Fact File

Code	PDNTE
Duration	2 Years - PG Diploma (Year 1, Full-time); Masters (Year 2, Part-time)
Teaching Mode	Full-time
Qualifications	PG Dip / MSc
NFQ Level	Level 9
Closing Date	Open until all places have been filled or no later than 30 June. Early application is advised.
Non-EU Closing Date	Open until all places have been filled or no later than 15 June. Early application is advised.
Start Date	1 September 2025

Course Outline

Note: The next intake for this programme will be September 2025.

This MSc/Postgraduate Diploma in Trauma & Emergency Nursing is offered by the School of Nursing and Midwifery at University College Cork. The nursing programme provides Emergency nurses with the opportunity to enhance their careers on a professional and personal level. 

The Diploma in Trauma & Emergency Nursing is a one-year course offered in partnership with health service providers, with the possibility of taking a Master's programme in Year 2.

Our teaching methods range from lectures to seminars to small group work as well as assessments and simulations conducted within the Clinical Skills Simulation Resource Centre (CSSRC).

Programme Details

The MSc in Nursing programme, comprising seven clinical pathways, is structured into two parts and will typically be completed over two years from the date of first registration for the programme (60 credits in Part I and 30 credits in Part II).

All students will be registered for a Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing in Year 1 and will be registered for an MSc in Year 2. Students who opt to exit at the end of the first year will be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Trauma & Emergency Nursing upon successful completion and passing modules to the value of 60 credits (applicable to all pathways).

Programme Pathways

There are 7 clinical pathways to the degree of Masters in Nursing, all of which have an exit route available for the award of a Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing. Trauma & Emergency Nursing is Pathway 1 and comprises theory modules and clinical practice modules as follows:

Trauma and Emergency Nursing (Pathway 1)

Year 1 (60 credits)

Theory modules

• NU6005  Evidence-Based Practice for Healthcare Professionals (10 credits)
• NU6027  Trauma Nursing (10 credits)
• NU6028  Medical and Special Population Emergency Nursing (10 credits)
• NU6053  Professional, Ethical, and Legal Decision-making in Specialist Practice (5 credits)
• NU6070  Clinical Leadership in Practice Enhancement for Nursing and Midwifery (10 credits)
• NU6126  Physical Assessment for Nursing Practice (5 credits)

Clinical Practice/Practicum modules

• NU6130 Clinical Practice in Specialist Nursing 1 (5 credits)
• NU6131 Clinical Practice in Specialist Nursing 2 (5 credits)

On successful completion of this programme, Trauma & Emergency Nursing students should be able to:

• Enhance emergency nursing practice through the application of theoretical, practical, and policy knowledge and clinical skills;
• Exercise accountability within the clinical, ethical, and professional boundaries of the role of emergency nursing;
• Critically appraise and evaluate current research evidence and best practice for emergency nursing and its implications for practice;
• Evaluate the effectiveness of individual outcomes against specialist intervention plans for individuals and families in emergency nursing practice;
• Synthesise health-related issues for the development of intervention/service responses appropriate to the needs of individuals and families in emergency nursing practice;
• Contribute as a learned member of the multidisciplinary team in the delivery of quality healthcare for individuals and families within the context of emergency nursing;
• Act as a means of professional support, educator, and role model for the provision of lifelong learning to ensure ongoing professional development.

Course Practicalities

The Diploma programme consists of 46 weeks of clinical placements in a variety of Emergency Departments including your own.

You will be expected to attend lectures for four block weeks (three in Semester 1 and one in Semester 2) for specialist modules and seven separate days (five in Semester 1 and two in Semester 2) for core modules.

Lectures take place from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday on block weeks. Core modules will be delivered by blended learning via online and direct contact. As a guide 10-credit core modules (200 hours learning) involve 184 hours of online learning and 16 hours of direct contact time and 5-credit core modules (100 hours learning) involve 92 hours of online learning and eight hours of direct contact time.

Specialist modules will continue to be delivered mainly through direct contact. You will have 34 hours of direct contact on 10-credit modules and 16 hours of direct contact on 5-credit modules.

Within the four block weeks and seven separate days of theory in UCC, specialists from clinical practice, as well as UCC staff, will facilitate you to become a more knowledgeable and skilled practitioner within the emergency care environment. The course helps you to improve your assessment and to become proficient in implementing research-based practice in the emergency care environment. You will also have access to our state-of-the-art Clinical Skills Simulation Resource Centre (CSSRC).

Assessment

Core and Specialist modules are assessed through continuous assessment. The 10-credit modules may have two separate assessments. The latter normally involves the submission of an academic assignment but can also include an in-class test or both, depending on whether the module is 10 or 5 credits.

One 10-credit module assessment involves a clinical audit and a poster presentation of the audit results. The exception is the Clinical Practicum Modules (5 credits). Assessment of clinical competence is continuous and obtained through the acquisition of core competencies and reflection on clinical practice experience, all of which are recorded in the student Competency Booklet during scheduled clinical placements.

Who teaches this course?

Our UCC academic staff are experts in their field with PhDs or MScs and significant specialist clinical practice experience. Nursing staff from various healthcare providers such as Advanced Nurse Practitioners and Clinical Nurse Specialists are also invited to deliver lectures. On occasion, these sessions take place within the healthcare provider’s own unit. Our staff are also actively engaged in research, often related to emergency nursing practice, and publish in international and national journals.

Why Choose This Course

The course now offers you the opportunity to experience placements in unfamiliar emergency units.

Top 50 Nursing School in the World

The School of Nursing and Midwifery, University College Cork, has been ranked within the top 50 nursing schools in the world, according to the QS global subject rankings. The school provides a world-class environment for cutting-edge research to prepare tomorrow’s nurses to shape and advance health care practices through research and education. Within UCC’s School of Nursing and Midwifery, researchers are addressing global challenges, including the growing burden of diseases, nurse workforce requirements, population ageing, and sustainable approaches to healthcare and health promotion and our teaching staff are at the forefront of these developments.

Skills and Careers Information

This course facilitates the enhancement of your assessment and the management of emergency situations.

On successful completion of this MSc /Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing – Trauma and Emergency Nursing Pathway, you will have the necessary academic qualification (PG Diploma Nursing) required for Clinical Nurse Specialist posts within emergency nursing.

Requirements

There are 7 clinical pathways to the degree of Masters in Nursing, all of which have an exit route available for the award of a postgraduate Diploma in Nursing. The pathways to degree of Masters including Postgraduate Diploma exit route are all available to view in the  College Calendar. 

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: Pathway 1 - Trauma & Emergency Nursing

Applicants for this MSc in Nursing, including the postgraduate Diploma exit route, should normally:

1. Hold active registration on a division of the professional register maintained by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland or be eligible for such registration as required for individual pathways. For the Trauma and Emergency Nursing Pathway, applicants must be Registered General Nurses;

2. Have clinical practice experience (and support structures, if applicable) as required for individual pathways. For the Trauma and Emergency Nursing Pathway, applicants must have a minimum of six months of post-registration experience (excluding courses) and at least six months experience in the speciality pathway applied for;

3. Applicants must be certified in Basic Life Support (BLS);

4. Applicants must provide written evidence of support from their Director of Nursing/equivalent authorised nurse manager stating:

• The applicant will be working in the relevant specialist area for the duration of the programme for a minimum of 18.75 hours a week;
• They will be released from practice to attend the programme requirements;
• A clinical preceptor and/or clinical facilitator can support learning in the specialist area of practice for the duration of the programme.

Note: In exceptional circumstances, applicants who do not fulfill the entry requirements may be recommended for entry to the programme under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) following a review of their individual qualifications and experience by the programme committee. Such applicants may be invited for an interview to satisfy the selection committee of their suitability for the programme. Admission of such applicants will be subject to the approval of the School of Nursing and Midwifery.

 

Fees and Costs

How To Apply

Deferrals: Deferrals are not permitted on this course.

Additional Requirements (All Applicants)

Please note you will be required to provide additional information as part of the online application process for this programme. This will include the following questions:

• You may enter the details of professional or voluntary positions held. We strongly encourage you to complete this section with all relevant work experiences that will support your application.
• Please describe your motivation and readiness for this programme.
• In addition to your previously declared qualifications, please outline any additional academic courses, self-learning and professional training relevant to this programme.
• Please upload certification of current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).
• Please upload evidence of Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification.
• All applicants must also submit a signed Declaration Form, to be completed by the Director of Nursing/Midwifery/Equivalent Authorised Manager. This form is downloadable here: 2023 Declaration Form PGDip Nursing pathways

Additional Information

For students who have exited this programme with the award of Postgraduate Diploma and wish to return to complete the Masters within 5 years, please apply for CKX13, MSc in Nursing Studies Direct Entry Year 2.

The closing date for non-EU applications is Open until all places have been filled or no later than 15 June. Early application is advised.

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