Expand+Application requirements:
- All applicants must hold a primary degree in Nursing (or equivalent in related discipline)/RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) if no degree
- All applicants must be entered onto the appropriate division of the Nurses Reg...

Hide-Application requirements:
- All applicants must hold a primary degree in Nursing (or equivalent in related discipline)/RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) if no degree
- All applicants must be entered onto the appropriate division of the Nurses Register maintained by An Bord Altranais (be registered as an RGN)
- All applicants must have at least one year’s post-registration experience at time of application.
- All applicants must be employed in heart failure /CCU nursing for the duration of the programme and work a minimum of 75 hours per month.
- In addition, each candidate must provide documented evidence from the Director of Nursing in the clinical practice area, which guarantees a placement for the duration of the programme.

Documents to be submitted with your application:
- Certificates of nursing qualifications or validated copies of awards
- Original transcript(s) including date and grading of degree award (non UCD Graduates only) & notarised English translations where relevant
- A current photocopy of An Bord Altranais registration
- Copy of Birth Certificate or Personal Page of Passport
- Signed Declaration Form from Employer (original form)
- Sealed envelope with the Professional Reference Form (original form)
- Completed Clinical Competence Assessor Nomination Form signed by the nominee
- Evidence of proficiency in English language (applicants whose first language is not English)

Expand+Who is the Graduate Diploma Heart Failure Nursing
This programme is aimed at advancing the registered nurses repertoire of knowledge and skills for professional practice in the care of patients with heart failure.

What is the programme about?
...

Hide-Who is the Graduate Diploma Heart Failure Nursing
This programme is aimed at advancing the registered nurses repertoire of knowledge and skills for professional practice in the care of patients with heart failure.

What is the programme about?
This programme is based on the curriculum developed by UCD and The Heart Failure Association & Council of Nursing & Allied Professionals of the European Society of Cardiology. It focuses on the role of the nurse in the care of persons with heart failure and provides participants with structured learning experiences to advance their knowledge and clinical skills in the area. The programme is based on a holistic view of the patient throughout the continuum of care. The nurse will also gain the skills required to function as an independent member of the heart failure team, within the primary, secondary and tertiary health care settings. This course will provide the nurse with an opportunity to develop, enhance and maintain these specialist skills that are required to care for patients with heart failure.

Aims of the Programme:
- Assist the student to gain advanced knowledge, skills and attitudes based on a holistic view of the patient throughout the continuum of care in order to function as an independent member in the heart failure team
- Develop a greater understanding of the holistic principles which underpin the various aspects of nursing particularly in relation to heart failure
- Augment students' knowledge and appreciation of nursing theory and bio-psychosocial sciences which underpin nursing practice in heart failure
- Provide students with an opportunity for personal growth and professional development
- Develop skills to enhance their professional practice, including critical analysis, creative thinking, decision making and communication skills

What will I learn?
The Graduate Diploma Heart Failure Nursing consists of a total of 6 modules of study (see curriculum).

How will I benefit?
On successful completion of all components of this programme the student will be awarded a Graduate Diploma Heart Failure Nursing and recognition from The Heart Failure Association & Council of Nursing & Allied Professionals of the European Society of Cardiology.

Teaching methods
We use a range of teaching methods including lectures, workshops, seminars and discussion forums. 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 engage in supervised practice in order to develop and refine specific clinical skills.

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+Curriculum
The Graduate Diploma Heart Failure Nursing consists of a total of 6 modules of study as follows:

Two core modules
Three specialist modules
Clinical Practice Module

The two core modules are common to all Graduate Diplomas in Nur...

Hide-Curriculum
The Graduate Diploma Heart Failure Nursing consists of a total of 6 modules of study as follows:

Two core modules
Three specialist modules
Clinical Practice Module

The two core modules are common to all Graduate Diplomas in Nursing Studies. The first core module focuses on Research Methodologies and the second, focuses on the Theoretical Bases of Nursing. The three specialist modules and the one clinical module will guide student learning to focus on the essential aspects critical care nursing as outlined below:

NMHS 40290 Cardiovascular Disease
This module aims to focus on the critical care nurse in relation to the person with cardiovascular disease and to determine the characteristics and severity of the major symptoms of the person with ischaemic heart disease in the coronary care unit

NMHS 40870 Altered Cardiac Function
This module aims to develop the nurses clinical role by enhancing their ability to assess, diagnose, plan, intervene and evaluate care in specialist environments.

NMHS 41460 Clinical Expertise in Heart Failure
This module enables the student to apply their knowledge, skills and understanding of specialist theory to patient care, and will require the participant to demonstrate competence within their area of specialist practice

NMHS 41490 Clinical Practicum Heart Failure
This module aims to focus on the role of the nurse in relation to the care of the person with heart failure. The module will provide the nurse with advanced knowledge, skills and attitudes based on a holistic view of the patient throughout the continuum of care. The nurse will also gain the skills required to function as an independent member of the heart failure team, within the primary, secondary and tertiary health care settings. This module aims to expand the students understanding, knowledge and practice of the care of persons during cardiac investigations, rhythm disturbances and treatments including cardiac pacemakers and ICD. It also aims to examine the holistic management of persons with altered fluid and electrolyte balance. The student will develop competence in cardiovascular and respiratory assessment, haemodynamic monitoring, arrhythmia interpretation of laboratory values and his/her role as educator.