Expand+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 a...

Hide-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 RGN)

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

Applicants must have at least one year’s experience in Breast Care Nursing at time of attendance

Applicants must be employed in a Breast Care unit (focusing on cancer and benign conditions) or related specialist setting prior to commencing the course and for duration of the course

Expand+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...

Hide-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
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)

Expand+The programme will enhance your existing knowledge and skills in caring for patients with malignant and benign breast conditions.

Who is the programme for?
The programme is aimed at advancing the registered nurse’s repertoire of knowledge and sk...

Hide-The programme will enhance your existing knowledge and skills in caring for patients with malignant and benign breast conditions.

Who is the programme for?
The programme is aimed at advancing the registered nurse’s repertoire of knowledge and skills in Breast Care Nursing; it is particularly aimed at preparing the nurse to assume the role of clinical nurse specialist in this area.

Aims of the programme

The programme aims to develop the practitioner’s capacities for caring and competent practice in Breast Care 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 patients with breast conditions, including critical analysis, creative thinking, decision making and communication

To develop a greater understanding of the theory which underpins Breast Care 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 Breast Care 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 Breast Care Nursing

What will I learn?

The curriculum is designed to enhance your knowledge and skills with respect to the holistic assessment and management of patients with malignant and benign breast conditions.

How will I benefit?
On successful completion of the programme, you will receive a Graduate Certificate in Nursing (Breast Care Nursing). This is a highly regarded qualification for nurses caring for patients with breast conditions in Ireland.

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.

Expand+Programme structure
This is a one (academic) year programme, broken down into two semesters.

Assessments are varied (assignments/short examination questions/MCQ/case presentation and clinical assessments (Clinical Competency Assessment Tool, Cli...

Hide-Programme structure
This is a one (academic) year programme, broken down into two semesters.

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.

List of specialist modules:
Fundamentals of Cancer Care
Psychooncology
Breast Care Nursing
Clinical Practicum (Breast Care)

Expand+Careers/where can I go?

Possessing a broad and deep understanding of the theory and skills required for caring for patients with breast conditions, you will be well positioned to work in a variety of settings specialising in this area both nation...

Hide-Careers/where can I go?

Possessing a broad and deep understanding of the theory and skills required for caring for patients with breast conditions, 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 breast care. Many nurses also proceed to assume CNM/Educational/Clinical Facilitator roles.