Nursing - Childrens Cardiac Care

Our Graduate Diploma Children’s Cardiac Nursing will build on your existing knowledge and skills in caring for children with a cardiac condition and their families, supporting you to practice at specialist level.

Entry Requirements

• Hold a minimum of a BSc degree or equivalent in Nursing (Note: Applicants not holding a bachelor’s degree may apply for Recognition of Prior Learning)
• Given the cross-border nature of the programme; Nurses must be registered with the NMBI.
• PSNI as well as Garda clearance will be required. Clinical placements in both Belfast and CHI at Crumlin are programme requisites.
• Must be currently employed in a Children’s Cardiology setting, in a 0.5 FTE capacity at a minimum, and provide written evidence that they will be supported in completing the minimum required hours of practice, including throughout the clinical practicum.
• RGN without RCN qualification will have a minimum of 2 years’ experience working in Children’s Cardiology.
• RCNs with relevant prior experience must have a minimum of 18 months working in Children’s Cardiology.
• Completion of ‘Introduction to Children First’ E-learning module on hseland.ie and certification submitted.
• Reference from Clinical Nurse Manager/ Clinical Nurse Education Facilitator. Documents Required
• 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 NMBI registration
• Copy of Birth Certificate or Personal Page of Passport
• Signed Declaration Form from Employer (original form)
• Completed 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)
• Complete UCD Garda Vetting
• Evidence of completion of ‘Introduction to Children’s First’ online learning module www.hseland.ie You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information at: https://www.ucd.ie/registry/prospectivestudents/admissions/rpl/ Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage. This programme is designed to meet the professional development needs of Registered Nurses who wish to specialise in Children’s Cardiac Nursing. § Applicants should be registered as an RCN, RCN/RGN with a minimum of 12 months experience in Children’s Cardiac Nursing in consultation with the Clinical Course Coordinator. § Applicants registered as an RGN with a minimum of 2 years’ experience in Children’s Nursing may be considered for registration to the programme. § Applicants should be employed in either cardiac services in Children’s Health Ireland at CHI at Crumlin, or Clark Clinic in The Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children. § Outside of these centres applicants may be working in a specialist role caring for children with a heart condition. § Places are allocated on the programme subject to successful interview, and availability of places.