About This Course
Fact File
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Title
Nursing - Medical & Surgical Nursing
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Code
PCNMS
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College
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Duration
6 Months Part-time
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Teaching Mode
Part-Time. See Additional Teaching Mode Information for more info.
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Qualifications
PG Cert
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Entry Requirements
See Requirements for full details.
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Closing Date
Not on offer 2023/24
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Start Date
Not on offer 2023/24
Course Outline
This Postgraduate Certificate in Medical and Surgical Nursing programme is offered by the School of Nursing and Midwifery. It recognises the need for specialist postgraduate education to assist general nurses meet the challenges of increased levels of patient acuity along with ethical and patient-safety challenges in medical-surgical settings.
The philosophy underpinning this programme acknowledges the importance of dynamic nursing staff, working within the multidisciplinary team, having the relevant knowledge and assessment skills to enable them deliver evidence-based care in a competent manner while cognisant of the needs of individual patients and their significant others.
The programme assists in the development of assessment skills which contribute to early detection of patient deterioration as well as nurse-led (and multidisciplinary) interventions. These skills are further applied in later modules in the PG Diploma Medical-Surgical programme in the follow-up semester.
The programme aims to:
- enhance nursing practice through the application of well-assimilated knowledge and clinical skills
- act as a means of professional support, educator and role model for the provision of lifelong learning to ensure ongoing professional development
- exercise accountability within the clinical and professional boundaries of the role of nursing
- contribute as a learned member of the multidisciplinary team in the delivery of quality healthcare for individuals and families across a variety of contexts.
- critically examine contemporary social, cultural and policy contexts of medical-surgical nursing.
PATHWAY 3: MEDICAL SURGICAL NURSING
Theory modules:
- NU6005 Evidence Based Practice for Healthcare Professionals (10 credits) (Shared module across all pathways)
- NU6053 Professional, Ethical, and Legal Decision-making in Specialist Practice (5 credits) (Shared module across all pathways except 9)
- NU6125 Professional Practice Issues for Nurses and Midwives (10 credits)
Clinical Practice/Practicum module:
- NU6130 Clinical Practice in Specialist Nursing 1 (5 credits)
Candidates who successfully complete all modules to the value of 30 credits in the PG Certificate in Nursing programme may apply to transfer into the relevant pathway of the MSc/PG Diploma in Medical-Surgical Nursing programme with the option of exiting with a Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing (Medical-Surgical) award at the end of the PG Diploma programme.
Additional Teaching Mode Information
This programme will be delivered in a blended format (combination of classroom-based and online modules).
Modules
Further details on the modules listed above can be found in our Book of Modules. Any modules listed above are indicative of the current set of modules for this course but are subject to change from year to year.
University Calendar
You can find the full academic content for the current year of any given course in our University Calendar.
Course Practicalities
The programmes has elements of blended learning. This means that modules are delivered on campus with face-to-face contact with lecturers (teaching and learning strategies include lectures, workshops, seminars and tutorials) in combination with some online content delivery using our virtual learning environment, known as Canvas.
Modules are allocated a total of either 5 or 10 credits. A 10 credit module has an estimated 200 hours student workload, and a 5 credit module has an estimated 100 hours student workload. The estimated workload is further broken down into time allocated to complete the online learning component (including required reading, assignment preparation and submission as well as self-directed learning) and time allocated to attend scheduled lectures and workshops.
The 10 credit modules are delivered over a six-week period and have approximately 16 hours allocated to lectures/ tutorials/ workshops and approximately 184 hours allocated to the online learning component. New paragraph
Classes are delivered on three separate days over the six-week period (normally two half-days and one full-day). The 5 credit modules are delivered over a four-week period and will be half the hours stated above (for 10 credit modules). Classes are delivered on two separate days over the four-week period (normally two half-days).
Semester 1 - September to December (16 weeks) contains 2 x 10-credit modules and 2 x 5-credit modules, one of which is a clinical practicum (16 weeks) which is undertaken in the student’s own clinical practice area over the course of the Semester. Again, most workshops, lectures, and tutorials are delivered on-campus in Semester 1, some of the content is delivered online using our virtual learning environment Canvas. Learning tools include module study guides, discussion boards, audio/visual resources and online assessments/activities. Ten-credit modules are delivered over 6 weeks and 5-credit modules are delivered over 4 weeks.
Prior to commencing the course, each student taking a blended module must attend the August Programme Orientation which includes an ‘orientation to Canvas and training’ on how to use the online technology within the course. IT support will be given to students throughout the duration of the course.
Why Choose This Course
For nurses who wish to study over a “short” period of time e.g. just one semester (September-December), they can register for the PG Certificate in Medical-Surgical Nursing programme. Students who successfully complete the PG Certificate programme can take a break from studying. To be eligible to join the MSc/PG Diploma Medical-Surgical Programme students must apply within five years of being registered for the PG Certificate programme. Students who successfully complete the Postgraduate Diploma have the choice to proceed directly into the Master’s programme.
Requirements
The Postgraduate Certificate in Nursing is a part-time programme running for 6 months from the date of first registration for the programme. Applicants choose their pathway at the application stage and all of the pathways are viewable in the College Calendar.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS PATHWAY 3: MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING
Applicants for the Postgraduate Certificate in Nursing should normally:
- 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 Medical-Surgical Nursing Pathway, applicants must be Registered General Nurses AND
- Have clinical practice experience (and support structures, if applicable) as required for individual pathways. For the Medical-Surgical Nursing Pathway applicants must have a minimum of six months' post-registration experience (excluding courses) and at least three months experience in the speciality pathway applied for.
English Language Requirements
Applicants that are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university-approved English language requirements. Please visit our PG English Language Requirements page for more information.
For applicants with qualifications completed outside of Ireland
Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements. For more information see our Qualification Comparison page.
International/Non-EU Applicants
For full details of the non-EU application procedure visit our how to apply pages for international students.
- In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.
- Note that not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants, please check the fact file above. For more information contact the International Office.
Fees and Costs
Deposits
If your course required a deposit, that figure will be deducted from your second semester fee payment in January.
EU student fee payment
Fees for EU students are payable in two equal instalments. First payment at registration in August and the second in January.
International student fee payment
International Students can pay in two equal instalments once they have paid the appropriate deposit. The initial payment is due on registration and the balance usually by the end of January.
How can I pay?
You can pay by Credit/Debit card online or by credit transfer.
Questions?
If you have any questions on fee payment please email our Fees Office at fees@ucc.ie.
How Do I Apply
1. Check Dates: Check the opening and closing dates for the application process in the fact file boxes at the top of the page.
- For Irish and EU applicants we operate a rounds system and you can check the rounds closing dates here.
- Note that not all our programmes are subject to the rounds system so check the opening and closing dates for your specific programme in the fact file boxes above.
2. Gather Documents: Scanned copies of supporting documents have to be uploaded to the UCC online application portal and include:
- Original qualification documents listed on your application including transcripts of results from institutions other than UCC;
- Any supplementary items requested for your course if required.
3. Apply Online: Apply online via the UCC online application portal. Note the majority of our courses have a non-refundable €50 application fee.
Any questions? Use our web enquiry form to contact us.
Deferrals
Deferrals are not permitted on this course.
Additional Requirements (All Applicants)- What is your current occupation/speciality?
- Please upload certification of current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).
- Please add the name and email address of 2 referees.
- 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 PGCert Nursing Pathway programmes