The post registration Higher Diploma in Children's Nursing course (Level 8) takes place over one full year (52 weeks) commencing in September. The programme consists of 12 theoretical weeks divided over three semesters; Michaelmas Hilary and Trinity, 40 weeks clinical practice experience that spans medical / surgical nursing, high dependency, specialist nursing and community experience with 4 weeks annual leave. Students undertake eight compulsory modules; (five theoretical modules and three clinical modules) that are run sequentially throughout the year. All modules are grounded in a body of evidence-based caring knowledge that promotes excellence in children's nursing practice. The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) requires 100% attendance (both clinical and theoretical) for all students pursuing the Higher Diploma in Children's Nursing Course.
Course Structure
The purpose of the course is to enable students to develop essential nursing knowledge, skills and values necessary to care for and support children, young people and their families to the highest professional standards across the health care continuum in all healthcare settings.
Five theory modules are as follows:
Fundamental Concepts of Children’s and Young People’s Nursing
Evidence Based Nursing Care of Children, Young People and Families in Illness
Contemporary Evidence and Research for Children, Young People and their families
Evidence Based Approaches to Adolescent Health in Young People’s Nursing
Evidence Based Approaches to Health, Well-being and Care in Children’s Nursing
Three clinical modules are as follows:
Clinical Skills for Children's Nursing Practice (Medical Nursing Placement 1)
Clinical Skills for Children's Nursing Practice (Surgical Nursing Placement 2)
Clinical Skills for Children's Nursing (Specialist Nursing Placement 3)
The School of Nursing and Midwifery has teaching facilities in D'Olier Street, Dublin, The Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St. James's Hospital. Children's specific clinical skills classes are taught in the clinical laboratories in the Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St. James's Hospital. Classes are also delivered in The Centre for Learning and Development in Tallaght Hospital. Clinical practice placements take place throughout the year in varying sites that include National Children's Hospital, Tallaght and Temple Street Children's University Hospital in addition to diverse community settings.
