Expand+Although death in childhood is relatively uncommon, the specific care needs of the child and family require a reflective, family centred and evidence-based approach to practice. This module provides students with the opportunity to explore what life-...

Hide-Although death in childhood is relatively uncommon, the specific care needs of the child and family require a reflective, family centred and evidence-based approach to practice. This module provides students with the opportunity to explore what life-limiting illness means in the context of childhood and gain an overview of the key concepts which make palliative care for children and their families different to palliative care offered to adults. Students will also develop a deeper understanding of the range of illnesses which affect children, and for whom palliative care may be required. In particular, you will learn that, unlike adult palliative care which historically has been predominantly cancer focused, most children in need of palliative care have non-malignant disease which is often neurological, metabolic or genetic in origin. This module will consider the incidence and prevalence of life-threatening illness for children in Ireland and an understanding as to why paediatric palliative care requires a specific set of unique skills for practice.

Expand+The module runs over 10 weeks and there are five units in the module:
Unit 1 focuses on key definitions and gives an introduction to the concept of life-limiting illness in childhood
Unit 2 explores the meaning of family-centred care and looks ...

Hide-The module runs over 10 weeks and there are five units in the module:
Unit 1 focuses on key definitions and gives an introduction to the concept of life-limiting illness in childhood
Unit 2 explores the meaning of family-centred care and looks at the needs of core care groups such as siblings and adolescents
Unit 3 reflects the value of multi-agency working and the important role of the voluntary sector in end-of-life care for children. It also provides a critical reflection on the Irish policy on children’s palliative care
Unit 4 explores the principles of symptom management applied to children, including the supportive care of the child and family in terminal illness
Unit 5 considers the dimensions of grief, loss and bereavement as experienced by children and their families

The module team includes: Claire Quinn, Lecturer and clinical remit in community children’s palliative care who has a special interest the promotion of children's palliative care in Ireland, and Laura Dempsey, Programme Director of the Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing (Palliative Care) programme.

Expand+How long does a PCA module take to complete?
In general PCA modules are completed in one semester of the academic calendar. Semester 1 is from September to mid December

How many days will I have to attend college?
We have a one day induction ...

Hide-How long does a PCA module take to complete?
In general PCA modules are completed in one semester of the academic calendar. Semester 1 is from September to mid December

How many days will I have to attend college?
We have a one day induction on the first week of September and in January and after that, you normally attend college for 2 days per module.

The modules are taken through blended learning. What does that mean?
Blended learning is a term used to describe learning that is a mixture of ‘on-line’ learning through a system known as ‘Blackboard’ and workshops in college.

I’m not great at using technology, how will I manage using Blackboard?
We support students in getting used to Blackboard and offer an orientation on its use on the induction day. We get a lot of students who are initially nervous using Blackboard but the system is easy to use once you are shown how to use it.

I qualified many years ago and haven’t studied in a long time. I am very confident in my clinical abilities but am afraid I will struggle with the academic work. Who will help me on the module?
The module leader and programme director are available to help you with any academic issues.

Can I continue on after I complete my Professional Credit Award module?
Yes. You can do as many PCAs as you want over time or you can build your own individualised postgraduate programme (Postgraduate Certificate by completing 1 core and 2 optional modules OR Postgraduate Diploma by completing 2 core and 4 optional modules). Alternatively you can enrol on one of our Postgraduate Diplomas in Nursing (specialist) programmes and request an exemption for your PCA modules. It is possible to get exemption for up to three modules of the programme. More details of these programmes can be found @ http://www.nuigalway.ie/nursing-midwifery/Postgraduate/.