| Code | NU6171 |
|---|---|
| Duration | To be confirmed |
| Teaching Mode | Part-Time. See Additional Teaching Mode Information for more info. |
| Qualifications | CPD Module |
| NFQ Level | Level 9 |
| Fees | €972 See Fees and Costs for full details. |
| Closing Date | 4 Dec 2026 |
| Credits | 10 |
| Start Date | February 2027 |
Outline
Module Objective: The Principles of Critical Care Nursing aims to provide you with the necessary knowledge and skills to safely and competently care for critically ill patients in the critical care environment.
Module Content: Care of the patient with respiratory system disorders; care of the patient with cardiovascular system dysfunction: care of the patient with neurological system dysfunction; care of the patient with renal system dysfunction; care of the patient with gastrointestinal dysfunction; care of the patient with multisystem dysfunction; essential interventions in critical care.
Learning Outcomes: On successful completion of this module, you should be able to:
- Critically analyse the impact of pathophysiology on acute and critically ill adult patients and to understand altered physiology.
- Critically evaluate the complexity of care issues in relation to acutely and critically ill patients.
- Analyse and interpret diagnostic tests and monitoring used to assess the critically ill patient.
- Critically evaluate and apply available knowledge to guide the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of evidence based nursing care.
Assessment: Total Marks 200: Continuous Assessment 200 marks (1,500 word written assignment (90 marks); Seminar/Presentation (90 marks); E-tivities (20 marks)).
Compulsory Elements: Continuous Assessment
Additional Teaching Mode Information
Teaching Method(s): The module will be delivered online incorporating both synchronous and asynchronous teaching methodologies. Multiple teaching and learning approaches will be utilized to facilitate learning and its application to clinical practice. Over the duration of the module (6 weeks) students will participate in a total of two 6 hour on-line workshops (using a blend of synchronous and asynchronous delivery methods) which will be integrated into the module schedule.
Module details to be confirmed for 2027
Module Co-ordinator: Dr Sean Joseph Kelleher, School of Nursing & Midwifery.
Lecturer(s): Staff, School of Nursing & Midwifery.
Why Choose
There is recent evidence (Goh et al 2020) for the need to build capacity in critical care nursing skills to achieve sustainable ICU services, particularly during the current Covid-19 pandemic. In response to the ever-changing health care delivery system, intensive care nurses need to be educated and prepared to the highest standards in order to competently address the needs of the patient and the family, improve standards of care, maintain patient safety, engage in interdisciplinary collaboration and develop healthy work environments.
The purpose of this new CPD module is to provide a gateway for qualified nurses to work in Intensive Care, or for nurses currently working in ICU to further develop their repertoire of knowledge, skills, attitudes, and professional values specific to critical care. This is particularly relevant when addressing the potential redeployment of nursing staff to Critical Care to manage covid-19 patients and for ICU avoidance for Covid-19 patients.
In order to ensure equity and quality of intensive care delivery across geographical boundaries the module was developed in keeping with common ICU nursing standards, providing a stepping stone for successful graduates to access further Postgraduate specialist education i.e. the module can be used as a credit to the existing validated level 9 Postgraduate Diploma in Intensive Care Nursing (CKW05).
As such this CPD module is designed to optimise the integration of nurses into critical care practice and to facilitate continuous professional development for experienced Registered Nurses working in Adult Critical Care Units.
Requirements
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS PATHWAY 2: INTENSIVE CARE NURSING
Applicants for NU6171 must be certified in Basic Life Support (BLS).
Applicants for this MSc in Nursing, including Postgraduate Diploma exit route, should normally fulfill:
- Applicants must be practising nurses with evidence of current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) or evidence that registration with the NMBI will be complete by the proposed commencement date of the module.
- 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 Intensive Care Nursing Pathway, applicants must be Registered General Nurses.
- Have clinical practice experience (and support structures, if applicable) as required for individual pathways. For the Intensive Care 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.
- Applicants must be certified in Basic Life Support (BLS).
- Applicants must provide written evidence of support from their Director of Nursing/equivalent authorised Nurse Manager stating:
- (a) The applicant will be working in the relevant specialist area for the duration of the programme for a minimum of 19.5 hours a week.
(b) They will be released from practice to attend the programme requirements.
(c) A Clinical Preceptor and/or Clinical Facilitator can support learning in the specialist area of practice for the duration of the programme.
Recognition or Prior Learning (RPL):
Applicants who do not meet the above programme entry requirements may be eligible to apply through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). See information on RPL here.
To be considered, applicants should be able to demonstrate experience and training in a relevant field. View the RPL for applicants guide here: https://www.ucc.ie/en/ace/helphub/.
Such applicants may be invited for 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.
UCC Student IT Requirements: All applicants should ensure the meet the UCC Student IT Requirements prior to application. See here: ACE Help Hub
Fees and Costs
The fee for this programme is €972
- This is payable on application (unless you are sponsored/funded)
- This fee is fully refundable if the programme does not run or you are not offered a place on the programme
About Funding
- Those applying for NMPDU, or other funding should contact the funding body directly for funding applications.
- A guide to indicating NMPDU funding during your application can be found here: ACE Help Hub
- All other funders/sponsors are considered sponsored applications. please follow the Sponsorship Guide for Applicants.
For further information on fees and financial supports please click here.
How To Apply
Before you apply, please prepare the following items which you will need during your application:
- Proof of Identity (Birth Cert, Passport or Driver's Licence)
- Passport-style Photograph
- Copy of your degree parchment/transcript if not a previous UCC graduate.
- English Language Test Report (if applicable)
- Supporting documentation (if required for RPL)
- Programme fee (unless sponsored/funded)
Create an account or login to UCC Apply (click the 'Apply' button below).
- Start a new application
- WHEN ASKED FOR APPLICATION TYPE - YOU MUST CHOOSE: ADULT & CONTINUING EDUCATION
- During the application on the tab titled Academic Level, under Level Selection, select the following options:
- Academic Level: Adult Continuing Education (ACE at UCC)
- Course Type: CPD Credit-Bearing Modules
- Academic Programme: Principles in Critical Care Nursing NU6171
You can view a CPD Application Guide for all Nursing & Midwifery courses here: https://www.ucc.ie/en/ace/helphub/
Apply Now