Postgraduate Diploma/Master of Science in Medical and Surgical Nursing

The Postgraduate DiplomaMasters in Medical and Surgical Nursing, offered by the School of Nursing and Midwifery at University College Cork, is a pathway of the MScPostgraduate Nursing Diploma.This Medical and Surgical Nursing programme recognises the need for specialist postgraduate education to assist general nurses in meeting the challenges of increased levels of patient acuity, along with ethical and patient-safety challenges in medical-surgical settings.Our teaching philosophy encompasses the importance of dynamic nursing staff, working within the multidisciplinary team, possessing the relevant knowledge and skills to enable them to deliver evidence-based care in a competent manner; it is essential that such care is delivered while cognisant of the needs of individual patients and their significant others.We place particular emphasis on the development of assessment skills and early detection of patient deterioration as well as nurse-led (and multidisciplinary) interventions. The self-directed, theoretical, and physical skills learning is then applied to simulated critical, clinical incident scenarios within our state-of-the-art Clinical Skills Simulation Resource Centre (CSSRC).

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 the Diploma exit route are all available to view in the College Calendar. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: Pathway 8 - Medical and Surgical NursingApplicants for this MSc in Nursing, including the PG Diploma exit route, 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;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 of post-registration experience (excluding courses) and at least six months experience in the speciality pathway applied for;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 18.75 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.