Expand+Minimum entry requirements
1. An honours Bachelor’s degree at NFQ Level 8 in nursing or a comparable qualification;

2. Currently employed as a nurse in an Acute Medical Unit (AMUs), Acute Medical Assessment unit (AMAUs) or Medical Assessment Un...

Hide-Minimum entry requirements
1. An honours Bachelor’s degree at NFQ Level 8 in nursing or a comparable qualification;

2. Currently employed as a nurse in an Acute Medical Unit (AMUs), Acute Medical Assessment unit (AMAUs) or Medical Assessment Unit (MAUs), Short Stay Unit (SSU), or an equivalent clinical setting that has a remit for caring for patients in the acute stage of their medical illness. The applicants must have a minimum of six months’ experience in this setting over the past two years;

3. Written evidence of support for the applicant from their Director of Nursing and clinical unit manager;

4. Minimum academic and/or professional qualifications and standards required, together with any equivalence that may apply;

5. Students must work in the clinical area for the duration of the programme. Clinical requirements for completion of the programme are to pass two clinical competencies and complete a minimum of 1000 hours in an acute medical unit or equivalent setting as deemed by the programme director.

Expand+Your course
This course aspires to meet the needs of registered nurses working in acute medical settings with evidence-based knowledge and training so that they can expertly recognise, intervene and manage acute changes in the complex conditions of...

Hide-Your course
This course aspires to meet the needs of registered nurses working in acute medical settings with evidence-based knowledge and training so that they can expertly recognise, intervene and manage acute changes in the complex conditions of patient-care environments. The programme is delivered over two years using a blended learning format, combining online learning and face-to-face workshops. On completion of Year One students have the option of being awarded a Postgraduate Diploma or progress onto the second year to attain an MSc.

The programme is comprised of seven theory/practice modules. It will be delivered using a blended learning format, combining online learning and face-to-face workshops. Case studies will be used to help students test out what they would do in different situations. Students will simultaneously work in a clinical setting for the duration of the programme, and students learning in a clinical setting will be supported by their unit manager and named preceptor. Module titles are as follows: Recognising and responding to client deterioration (10 credits—specialist); Principles and practice of acute medical nursing (10 credits—specialist); Essential Physical Assessment Skills (10 credits—specialist); Service Improvement (10 credits—core); Clinical Governance: Supporting Safe Practice (10 credits—core); Advanced Research Methods (10 credits—core); Clinical Assessment 1; Clinical Assessment 2.

Expand+Career opportunities
This course is particularly significant as the 2010 Report of the National Acute Medicine Programme (AMP) suggests a new approach to education and training with the development of acute medicine as a specialty for physicians, a...

Hide-Career opportunities
This course is particularly significant as the 2010 Report of the National Acute Medicine Programme (AMP) suggests a new approach to education and training with the development of acute medicine as a specialty for physicians, and the nursing and therapy professions. It further suggests that these nurses must consolidate and expand their knowledge and skills to meet the need for early detailed assessment and development of initial treatment plans (HSE, 2010). In the future, there may be a demand for clinical nurse specialists working in acute medicine, and graduates of this programme will be ideally placed to apply for these types of positions.