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Accessibility & LanguageAdvanced Practice Nursing (PDip)
PDip (Advanced Practice Nursing)
College of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences, School of Nursing and Midwifery- Title of Award
- Postgraduate Diploma
- Course Code
- 1PNA1
- Average Intake
- 25
- Delivery
- On Campus
- NFQ
- Level 9
- Award Type
- Major
- Next Intake
- September 2025
- Duration
- 1 year, part-time
- ECTS Weighting
- 60
Why Choose This Course?
Course Information
This programme comprises of two teaching semesters, Semester 1 (September-December) and Semester 2 (January-May).
Core modules:
- NU6610 Decision Making, and Advanced Practice Professional Roles (Year 1, Semester 1)
- NU6311 Advanced Health Assessment (Year 1, Semester 1)
- NU6506 Clinical Practicum (Year 1, Semester 1 and 2)
- NU010.II Professional, Ethical & Legal Issues of Nurse and Midwife Prescribing (Year 1, Semester 2)
- NU2192 Pharmacology, Health and Medicinal Prescribing (Year 1, Semester 2)
- NU012.II Prescribing Competency Assessment (Year 1, Semester 2)
Entry Requirements
Please note to be eligible to apply you need to be:
- Be registered as a nurse or midwife on the register of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).
- Have a minimum of an honour’s primary degree in Nursing or equivalent.
- Be currently employed as a nurse or midwife and in the areas of practice that you plan to undertake you Advance Practice Programme.
- Applicants must have the support of both a professional mentor (such as a Director of Nursing, Assistant Director of Nursing, or Practice Manager) and a clinical mentor (such as a medical consultant, general practitioner, or Registered Advanced Nurse Practitioner).This includes a commitment to provide 500 hours of clinical mentorship and 96 hours of prescribing mentorship, as confirmed on the completed *Site Declaration Form.
- Comply with current minimum entry requirements for admission to the programme of education for nurse prescribing. This includes:
- Have a minimum of three years’ recent post-registration clinical experience in nursing or midwifery (within the last five years) .
- Have equivalent of ‘one year’ full time experience in the specific area of clinical practice that you will be prescribing and practicing in.
- Possess the competencies recognised at Level 8 of the National Framework of Qualifications.
- Provide evidence of having undertaken continuing professional education.
6. If undertaking the postgraduate diploma in Advanced Practice Nursing, applicants will need to possess a Master’s degree that meets the programme requirements and is recognised at Level 9 of the National Framework of Qualifications.
*The completed Site Declaration Form provides confirmation by the professional and clinical mentor who will provide supervision, support and learning opportunities, including shadowing opportunities to gain the required competencies and clinical competence to practice at an advanced level.
Curriculum Information
Curriculum information relates to the current academic year (in most cases).Course and module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Glossary of Terms
- Credits
- You must earn a defined number of credits (aka ECTS) to complete each year of your course. You do this by taking all of its required modules as well as the correct number of optional modules to obtain that year's total number of credits.
- Module
- An examinable portion of a subject or course, for which you attend lectures and/or tutorials and carry out assignments. E.g. Algebra and Calculus could be modules within the subject Mathematics. Each module has a unique module code eg. MA140.
- Optional
- A module you may choose to study.
- Required
- A module that you must study if you choose this course (or subject).
- Semester
- Most courses have 2 semesters (aka terms) per year.
Year 1 (60 Credits)
RequiredNU6506: Clinical Practicum
NU6506: Clinical Practicum
Semester 1 and Semester 2 | Credits: 20
The clinical practicum will improve knowledge, competencies and clinical skills for the student at the level of advanced practice in nursing relevant to the specific practice area of the student. Specific knowledge and skills requirements will be negotiated on an individual practice area basis with the student their clinical supervisor and their employer/nurse manager within the framework and structure of the course record and assessment booklet. The major element of the programme will be substantial hours – 500 hours on clinical placement with supervision (as agreed under the site declaration form.
(Language of instruction: English)
Learning Outcomes
- Integrate relevant knowledge and skills in the conduction of a comprehensive holistic assessment of patients/clients, and manage identified issues/needs at an advanced level within their practice area (or identified scope of practice).
- Use evidence based frameworks, to synthesise and interpret assessment information to identify normal, subnormal and at risk states of health.
- Determine the timely use of diagnostic investigations to inform clinical decision making when planning, delivering and evaluating person centred care
- Actively consider access, cost, clinical effectiveness when planning, delivering and evaluating care.
- Apply knowledge of therapeutic interventions including pharmacological and non-pharmacological nursing interventions relevant to their advanced practice area
- Critically reflect on their own and others' learning and practice.
- Maximise opportunities to educate, mentor, role model and facilitate clinical supervision, on-going reflection, and engagement in continuous professional development.
- Incorporate effective leadership and communication skills when interacting with interprofessional health care teams in the development, implementation and evaluation of care and services in their area of practice.
- Evaluate the provision of care and services pertaining to their area of practice and reflect on feedback received to identify gaps in provision of care and services pertaining to area of practice
Assessments
- Continuous Assessment (100%)
Teachers & Administrators
Click a name to search for their researcher profile. Note: Only teachers publish research profiles.
The above information outlines module NU6506: "Clinical Practicum " and is valid from 2025 onwards.Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
RequiredNU6311: Advanced Health Assessment
NU6311: Advanced Health Assessment
Semester 1 | Credits: 10
This module aims to provide students with the necessary knowledge and skills to obtain a comprehensive health history and complete a physical assessment on a patient in the clinical setting. Students must pass each element in order to pass the module.
(Language of instruction: English)
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate the ability to review a patient’s health history
- Demonstrate clinical competence in physical assessment skills
- Critically analyse patient data and prioritise patient problems
- Explicate nursing interventions that meet the individual patient’s needs
- Integrate appropriate consultation skills with the patient and the multidisciplinary team for effective case management
Assessments
- Continuous Assessment (20%)
- Department-based Assessment (80%)
Teachers & Administrators
Click a name to search for their researcher profile. Note: Only teachers publish research profiles.
- EVELYN BYRNE 🖂
- YVONNE CONWAY 🖂
- MAURA DOWLING 🖂
- FRANCES FARRELLY 🖂
- SINÉAD HAHESSY 🖂
- BERNARD MCCARTHY 🖂
- CATHERINE MEAGHER 🖂
- BRONA MOONEY 🖂
- CLAIRE O'TUATHAIL 🖂
- MARY ELIZABETH GANNON 🖂
- MARION O'REGAN 🖂
- Peter Carr 🖂
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
RequiredNU6610: Decision Making and Advanced Practice Professional Roles
NU6610: Decision Making and Advanced Practice Professional Roles
Semester 1 | Credits: 10
Content covered will include case management; clinical decision-making; standards of care; ethics; cultural competence; person centred care. Advanced Practice role development; professional issues; theoretical perspectives informing advanced practice roles; and self-management (time and stress management). Contemporary issues in health care; the future of health service delivery. Opportunities will be provided to explore issues related to case management, major pathophysiologic disease processes as applied to clinical decision-making, and standards of care, ethics and role development. Research related to these topics will be used to highlight the changing nature of heath care. Analysis of the role of the advanced nurse practitioner will be emphasised. Within the clinical environment, candidates will expand clinical decision-making abilities and practice advanced, complex, case management under the supervision of a designated clinical supervisor. The theoretical component of this module is applied in clinical practice.
(Language of instruction: English)
Learning Outcomes
- Design case management algorithms combining quality assurance standards, evidence based practice, and clinical guidelines to support decision analysis.
- Integrate advanced pathology and pathophysiology in diagnostic reasoning and case management.
- Apply advanced health assessment and communication techniques in decision-making processes.
- Evaluate external stimuli that determine direction of the advanced nurse practitioner role in the delivery of quality patient care.
- Explore the use of an evidence-based evaluation framework in the context of the advanced nurse practitioner role.
- Appraise the professional role of the advanced nurse practitioner combining a nursing framework with standards of practice.
Assessments
- Continuous Assessment (100%)
Teachers & Administrators
Click a name to search for their researcher profile. Note: Only teachers publish research profiles.
The above information outlines module NU6610: "Decision Making and Advanced Practice Professional Roles" and is valid from 2025 onwards.Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
RequiredNU012.II: Competency Assessment
NU012.II: Competency Assessment
Semester 2 | Credits: 0
Practice’ is considered central to learning on this programme because it is only in practice that the ‘real’ curriculum will be experienced and operationalised. All modules will emphasise the application of what is learnt in class in practice and students will be challenged to critically examine the relevance and applicability of the content explored in class in their practice. Students are required to work for the duration of the programme in the specific area of practice in which prescribing is proposed. This allows students to ‘test’ out their learning in the reality of their practice. Students will be supported and mentored by a designated medical practitioner for the duration of the programme. During the timespan of the programme (26 weeks) the designated medical practitioner (the student’s mentor) will provide 12-days (96 hours) of formal direct supervision. It is anticipated that students will spend the majority of their placement in their own work setting. However, discretionary placement experience may be selected on the basis of identified learning needs of the student and the competence to be achieved.
(Language of instruction: English)
Learning Outcomes
- Clinical learning outcomes will be individualised to the student and developed in consultation with the student and the clinical mentor. Clinical learning outcomes will focus on enabling students to achieve competency and will focus on the principles of good prescribing and the prescribing pyramid (An Bord Altranais, 2003; National Prescribing Centre 1999).
- To be deemed competent, and thus eligible for entry on the Register, students must reach the level specified in each of the five Domains of Competence identified by An Bord Altranais (2007). The five domains of competencies are: Professional/Ethical Nursing Practice Holistic Nursing Care Interpersonal Relationships Organisation and Co-Ordination of Nursing Care Personal and Professional Development.
- Professional/Ethical Nursing Practice
- Holistic Nursing Care
- Interpersonal Relationships
- Organisation and Co-Ordination of Nursing Care
- Personal and Professional Development
Assessments
- Continuous Assessment (100%)
Teachers & Administrators
Click a name to search for their researcher profile. Note: Only teachers publish research profiles.
The above information outlines module NU012.II: "Competency Assessment" and is valid from 2025 onwards.Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
RequiredNU010.II: Professional, Ethical & Legal Issues of Nurse and Midwife Prescribing)
NU010.II: Professional, Ethical & Legal Issues of Nurse and Midwife Prescribing)
Semester 2 | Credits: 10
The Certificate in Nursing (Nurse/Midwife Prescribing), Minor Award, is at Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications. This six month programme is aimed at nurses and midwives working in the public, voluntary or private sectors. The programme aims to prepare nurses to prescribe safely, appropriately, cost effectively, legally and ethically. To increase programme accessibility, the programme will be delivered using blended learning. Blended learning will combine face-to-face teaching and facilitated on-line learning.
(Language of instruction: English)
Learning Outcomes
- Understand and comply with the regulatory framework associated with medicinal product prescribing.
- Use evidence based knowledge to support their prescribing practice.
- Apply ethical principles and concepts in their prescribing practice.
- Analyse and form judgements on how to respond to ethical issues that may arise in practice.
- Undertake effective consultation with clients including appropriate history taking and assessment to inform diagnosis and prescribing practice.
- Demonstrate a client centred approach in their practice, emphasising personal choice and responsibility in line with best practice.
- Analyse and respond effectively to the factors that influence clients’ decision-making in respect to treatment regimes.
- Establish a support network, for example pharmacists, consultants or others, to support their prescribing practice.
Assessments
- Continuous Assessment (100%)
Teachers & Administrators
Click a name to search for their researcher profile. Note: Only teachers publish research profiles.
- MAURA DOWLING 🖂
- CATHERINE MEAGHER 🖂
- CLAIRE O'TUATHAIL 🖂
- HEIKE SCHMIDT-FELZMANN 🖂
- FIONNUALA JORDAN 🖂
- LINDA BIESTY 🖂
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
RequiredNU2192: Pharmacology, Health and Medicinal Prescribing
NU2192: Pharmacology, Health and Medicinal Prescribing
Semester 2 | Credits: 10
Welcome to this module entitled “Drugs, Patients and Illnesses”. As the title suggests, this module will focus on the pharmacological treatment of patients. It will take you from the basic principles of how drugs work and how the body deals with drugs, through to the application of these principles to commonly encountered drugs used in a range of clinical applications. Moreover, the challenges of patient variability in drug response, polypharmacy and risk and cost benefit assessments will be explored. The module provides opportunities for you to be able to apply knowledge to your own clinical setting.
(Language of instruction: English)
Learning Outcomes
- Possess a firm understanding of the fundamental concepts of Pharmacology.
- Use the autonomic nervous system to illustrate the mechanisms of drug action.
- Identify the composite features of the “pharmacology” of a drug, and apply these in their work setting.
- Describe the pharmacological approach to a range of diseases and conditions.
- Be aware of the issues surrounding the pharmacological treatment of individual patients and their illness.
Assessments
- Continuous Assessment (100%)
Teachers & Administrators
Click a name to search for their researcher profile. Note: Only teachers publish research profiles.
The above information outlines module NU2192: "Pharmacology, Health and Medicinal Prescribing " and is valid from 2025 onwards.Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
- Dual Support Model: Comprehensive academic and clinical support ensures a strong foundation for applying advanced knowledge and skills in real-world healthcare settings.
- Range of modules: Includes modules in advanced health assessment, pharmacology, the professional, ethical and legal issues on prescribing medicinal products, decision making within advanced practice and supervised clinical hours.
- Leader in patient care: Learn the knowledge and skills to assess, diagnose and treat patients within their clinical setting.
- Strengthen problem-solving abilities: Learn to approach medical and professional challenges critically, using both theoretical and practical perspectives.
- Develop professional expertise: Hone the skills required to succeed in roles, including, developing policies, procedures and guidelines, developing referral pathways and collaborating with the multidisciplinary team.
- Enhance Communication Skills: Learn to effectively present and articulate findings to a range of audiences, within healthcare settings and policymakers such as the Nursing and Midwifery Planning and Development Unit (NMPDU) and the Health Service Executive.
The advanced nurse practitioner role is highly sought after in both the Health Service Executive (HSE) and private healthcare settings. These roles are expanding in response to healthcare system needs, particularly in rural and community-based services. Registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) as a Registered Advanced Nurse Practitioner (RANP) provides national recognition, improving mobility across healthcare settings and regions. The advanced nurse practitioner role typically offers a competitive salary in comparison to other clinical nurse roles.
ANPs are employed in a variety of specialist areas, including:
- Emergency and urgent care
- Chronic disease management (e.g., diabetes, COPD, heart failure)
- Mental health and psychiatry
- Women’s health and gynaecology
- Paediatrics and adolescent care
- Oncology and palliative care
- Community and primary care settings
- Specialist areas such as plastics, gastroenterology, neurology, urology, critical care and other areas.
With national recognition through RANP registration, graduates also gain access to:
- Policy and advisory roles in healthcare organisations
- Multidisciplinary leadership positions
- International career opportunities in advanced practice nursing
Graduates of the Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Nursing Practice are well-positioned for a wide range of advanced roles within the healthcare system. Many go on to become leaders in clinical practice, education, and research. Also, some Advanced Nurse Practitioners, having already completed a Master’s degree, have progressed to doctoral-level study (PhD) and secured roles as lecturers, researchers, and academic leaders within third-level institutions.
Clinical placement
As part of the entry requirements (as above), applicants will be working in the clinical area in which they plan to become an advanced nurse practitioner. As part of the programme requirements and in line with the NMBI standards (2017), applicants will have to complete 500 supervised clinical hours with their designated clinical mentor. In addition, applicants will have to complete 96 supervised clinical hours relating prescribing medicinal products.
Ultimately, the clinical placement component of the programme plays a critical role in preparing graduates to meet the demands of a dynamic and evolving sector. The clinical component of the programme enables students to apply and further develop their advanced knowledge and skills in real-world settings, ultimately preparing them to become competent and confident Advanced Nurse Practitioners. The clinical area encourages reflection and learning, with support from academic and clinical mentors who help students connect their work-based learning to their broader educational goals.
Accrediting Body
This programme meets the national standards (NMBI 2017) and is approved by NMBI.
Following successfully completion of this programme, graduates are eligible to register with NMBI as a Advanced Nurse Practitioner.
The Postgraduate Diploma (Advanced Practice Nursing) combines innovative teaching methods with practical, hands-on learning to ensure a comprehensive educational experience. You will learn through a mix of interactive lectures, seminars, workshops, patient-based scenario simulations led by expert faculty. In addition, you will learn through peer learning, small group learning and experiential learning.
Group projects and collaborative activities will enhance your teamwork and communication skills, while individual assignments will help you to develop independence and critical thinking. The patient-based scenarios simulations will develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills to determine the overall diagnosis and treatment for each scenario.
Throughout the programme, you will have access to cutting-edge resources, including industry-standard software and real-world datasets, to support your learning and professional growth.
How Will I Be Assessed?
Each module is assessed independently. Strategies for assessment include assignments, interactive oral assessment, blogs, multiple choice questions, oral presentations, patient-based scenario simulations, continuous assessment and clinical competency assessments.
Dr Lisa Glynn
Assistant Professor in General Nursing
School of Nursing and Midwifery
College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
University of Galway recognises that knowledge and skills can be acquired from a range of learning experiences. This is in line with the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) goals which aim to recognise all learning achievements by supporting the development of alternative pathways to qualifications (or awards) and by facilitating the recognition of prior learning (RPL).
RPL will be awarded to candidates who provide evidence of having completed comparable modules included in this programme.
Accreditations & Awards
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Entry Requirements and Fees
Please note to be eligible to apply you need to be:
- Be registered as a nurse or midwife on the register of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).
- Have a minimum of an honour’s primary degree in Nursing or equivalent.
- Be currently employed as a nurse or midwife and in the areas of practice that you plan to undertake you Advance Practice Programme.
- Applicants must have the support of both a professional mentor (such as a Director of Nursing, Assistant Director of Nursing, or Practice Manager) and a clinical mentor (such as a medical consultant, general practitioner, or Registered Advanced Nurse Practitioner).This includes a commitment to provide 500 hours of clinical mentorship and 96 hours of prescribing mentorship, as confirmed on the completed *Site Declaration Form.
- Comply with current minimum entry requirements for admission to the programme of education for nurse prescribing. This includes:
- Have a minimum of three years’ recent post-registration clinical experience in nursing or midwifery (within the last five years)
- Have equivalent of ‘one year’ full time experience in the specific area of clinical practice that you will be prescribing and practicing in
- Possess the competencies recognised at Level 8 of the National Framework of Qualifications.
- Provide evidence of having undertaken continuing professional education.
6. If undertaking the postgraduate diploma in Advanced Practice Nursing, applicants will need to possess a Master’s degree that meets the programme requirements and is recognised at Level 9 of the National Framework of Qualifications.
*The completed Site Declaration Form provides confirmation by the professional and clinical mentor who will provide supervision, support and learning opportunities, including shadowing opportunities to gain the required competencies and clinical competence to practice at an advanced level.
You can apply online to the University of Galway application portal here.
Please review the entry requirements set out in the section above.
You will be required to upload supporting documentation to your application electronically. See the section above on entry requirements for further information on the supporting documentation required for this course.
Closing Dates
For this programme, June 30th 2026 is the closing date for receipt of applications.
Notes
- You will need an active email account to use the website and you'll be guided through the system, step by step, until you complete the online form.
- Browse the FAQ's section for further guidance.
Fees for Academic Year 2025/2026
| Course Type | Year | EU Tuition | Student Contribution | Non-EU Tuition | Levy | Total Fee | Total EU Fee | Total Non-EU Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PG Diploma Full Time | 1 | €4,250 | €14,000 | €140 | €4,390 | €14,140 |
For 25/26 entrants, where the course duration is greater than 1 year, there is an inflationary increase approved of 3.4% per annum for continuing years fees.
Postgraduate students in receipt of a SUSI grant – please note an F4 grant is where SUSI will pay €4,000 towards your tuition (2025/26). You will be liable for the remainder of the total fee. A P1 grant is where SUSI will pay tuition up to a maximum of €6,270. SUSI will not cover the student levy of €140.
Note to non-EU students: learn about the 24-month Stayback Visa here.
Why University of Galway?
World renowned research led university nestled in the vibrant heart of Galway city on Ireland's scenic West Coast.
Contact the School of Nursing and Midwifery
Áras Moyola, Upper Newcastle, Galway
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Course Introduction
Empowering Nurses. Advancing Care.
The Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Practice Nursing is designed for experienced registered nurses who already hold a relevant Master’s degree that meets the programme requirements. This programme equips you with the advanced clinical knowledge, advanced health assessment, decision-making skills, and competencies needed to practice autonomously and confidently as an advanced nurse practitioner.
