Nursing - Childrens Cancer

University College Dublin

Enrolment and Start Dates Comment

Start date: September 2013

Application Weblink

http://www.ucd.ie/apply/

Duration

This is a 1 (academic) year programme, broken down into two semesters.

Link to Course Fee

http://www.ucd.ie/registry/adminservices/fees/2013/

Financial Support

Local Authority Funding:
Grant holders who complete a primary degree course may have the grant renewed in order to undertake a full-time taught or research graduate course. To apply for renewal, final year students should inform the UCD Grants Office in June, and write to their Local Authority when they have completed their primary degree. The grant, which covers fees, may be renewed in subsequent years but is limited to one graduate degree or diploma course for each student. For further information on budget 2012 please visit Student Finance.ie Funding Initiatives

Student Grants - New Grant Applications for 2012-13 APPLY AS EARLY AS YOU CAN, from the end of May - don't leave it till July

A new ONLINE ONLY grant applications system is being introduced for 2012 in Ireland. All new applications will be made online to a single awarding authority, Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) through www.studentfinance.ie.

Entry Requirements

Specific requirements:
•Applicants must have at least one year's experience in Children's Cancer Nursing at time of attendance
•Applicants must be employed in an oncology unit (focusing on caring for children with cancer) or related specialist setting prior to commencing the course and for duration of the course

General requirements:
•Applicants must hold a primary degree in Nursing (or equivalent in related discipline)/APEL consideration if no degree
•Applicants must be entered onto the appropriate division of the Nurses Register maintained by An Bord Altranais (be registered as an RCN)
•Applicants must hold a Graduate Diploma in another specialist area of nursing or have obtained 30 ECT (credits) at Level 9 (Masters Level in both research and theoretical aspects of nursing)
•Other criteria to be used in the assessment of the application include number of years of experience, and evidence of ongoing professional development

Documents to be submitted with your application:
•Original transcript(s) including date and grading of degree award (non UCD Graduates only) & notarised English translations where relevant
•Nurse applicants: A current photocopy of An Bord Altranais registration
•Other health care professionals: A current photocopy of registration with professional registration body
•Copy of Birth Certificate or Personal Page of Passport
•Signed Declaration Form from Employer (original form)
•Completed Professional Reference Form (original form)
•Nurse applicants: Completed Clinical Competence Assessor Nomination Form signed by the nominee
•Evidence of proficiency in English language (applicants whose first language is not English.

Course Content

Who is the programme for?
The programme is aimed at advancing the registered nurse's repertoire of knowledge and skills in the care of children with cancer; it is particularly aimed at preparing the nurse to assume the role of clinical nurse specialist in this area.

What is the programme about?
The programme will enhance your existing knowledge and skills in caring for children with cancer.

Main programme objectives
The programme aims to develop the practitioner's capacities for caring and competent practice in Children's Cancer Nursing in order to prepare the nurse to provide patient-centred care within the health service.

The specific aims of the programme are:
- To build upon and advance the student's repertoire of knowledge, skills, attitudes and professional values that were developed during the course of his/her basic training and arising out of his/her experiences in clinical practice
- To provide the student with the requisite knowledge, skills, attitudes and professional values for the advancement of his / her role in the care of children with cancer including critical analysis, creative thinking, decision making and communication
- To develop a greater understanding of the theory which underpins Children's Cancer Nursing practice including theory in the social and behavioural sciences and theory in the biomedical sciences
- To provide learning experiences that advance the student's professional development and personal growth and experiences that affirm the student's capacity to be a self-directed learner
- To advance the student's sense of professional awareness, and commitment and a sense of professional responsibility and accountability in Children's Cancer Nursing
- To enable the student to value learning as a continuous process and as a necessary process in the context of his/her professional role in Children's Cancer Nursing

What will I learn?
The curriculum is designed to enhance your knowledge and skills with respect to the holistic assessment and management of children with cancer.

How will I benefit?
On successful completion of the programme, you will receive a Graduate Certificate in Nursing (Children's Cancer Nursing). This is a highly regarded qualification for nurses caring for children with cancer in Ireland.

Teaching methods
We use a range of teaching methods including lectures, workshops and seminars. Clinical teaching is undertaken by specialists in the clinical area with particular emphasis on assisting students in applying theory to practice. Clinical Placements provide students with excellent opportunities to learn from experts in other hospitals and/or within their own hospitals; students attend multidisciplinary team meetings, tutorials and engage in supervised practice in order to develop and refine specific clinical skills such as chemotherapy administration.

Information technology
It is essential that you have access to a personal computer and an email account as communication with students is primarily undertaken by email. Lecture handouts/announcements are made available to students via Blackboard (a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) that supports online learning and teaching) and/or via email. Messages from the university regarding examination policy and procedures are also sent via email.

Subjects Taught

List of specialist modules:
•Fundamentals of Cancer Care (7.5 credits: Semester 1)
•Psychooncology (7.5 credits: Semester 2)
•Children's Cancer Nursing (7.5 credits: Semester 2)
•Clinical Practicum (Children's Cancer Nursing) (7.5 credits: Semester 2)

Assessment Method

Assessments are varied (assignments/short examination questions/MCQ/case presentation and clinical assessments (Clinical Competency Assessment Tool, Clinical Learning Outcomes, a practical examination (OSCE)) and occur at intervals throughout and at the end of the semesters.

Number of Credits

30 credits

Careers or Further Progression

Careers/where can I go?
Possessing a broad and deep understanding of the theory and skills required for caring for children with cancer, you will be well positioned to work in a variety of settings specialising in this area both nationally and internationally. As the programme is particularly aimed at preparing nurses to assume the role of clinical nurse specialist, many nurses eventually take up CNS positions and some may undertake further study required for the role of ANP in children's cancer nursing. Many nurses also proceed to assume CNM/Educational/Clinical Facilitator roles.

Further Enquiries

Anne Waters
AnneF.Waters@ucd.ie
Contact Number: 01 716 6491

Course Web Page

http://www.ucd.ie/nmhs/taughtgraduateprogrammes/graduatecertificates/gra...