Nursing - Advanced Practice Nursing

Course Overview

The aims of the Master of Science in Nursing (Advanced Nursing Practice) programme are to enable experienced registered nurses to develop an expert knowledge base, complex decision-making skills, and clinical competencies for an expanded autonomous scope of practice. The finite characteristics are shaped by the: context in which the individual practices; the needs of patients/clients; and the challenges and developments within the health services.



The programme is designed to prepare the students as autonomous practitioners, who are clinically competent and skilled in the delivery of high quality direct care to a specific patient /client group. In particular, the Advanced Nurse Practitioner will be empowered to promote wellness, offer healthcare interventions and advocate healthy lifestyle choices for patients/clients, their families and carers in a wide variety of settings in collaboration with other healthcare professionals, according to agreed scope of practice guidelines.



The programme further aims to support the students to develop their role as autonomous members of the multidisciplinary healthcare team within the healthcare organisation and professional leaders in their field of specialist practice. The graduates, equipped with such knowledge and advanced skills will be eligible to apply to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) for registration as a Registered Advanced Nurse Practitioner (RANP).



This broad based 2 year MSc includes modules pertaining to nurse/midwife Prescribing, research, advanced practice and management. In addition, there are 2 clinical competency assessment modules – 96 hours pertaining to prescribing and 500 hours to advanced practice clinical mentorship.

Year 1 (40 Credits)

Required NU6507: Leadership, Quality Improvement and Governance

Required NU6610: Decision Making and Advanced Practice Professional Roles

Required NU6312: Advanced Health Assessment

RequiredNU6521: Advanced Research Methods - 10 Credits - Semester 1

RequiredNU502: Advanced Research Methods - 10 Credits - Semester 1

RequiredNU6312: Advanced Health Assessment - 10 Credits - Semester 2



Year 2 (70 Credits)

RequiredNU010.I: Professional, Ethical & Legal Issues of Nurse and Midwife Prescribing) - 10 Credits - Semester 3

RequiredNU1191: Pharmacology, Health and Medicinal Prescribing - 10 Credits - Semester 3

RequiredNU6522: Research Dissertation - 30 Credits - Semester 3

RequiredNU6515: Research Dissertation - 30 Credits - Semester 3

RequiredNU6506: Clinical Practicum - 20 Credits - Semester 3

Please note to be eligible to apply you need to be:

1. Be registered as a nurse or midwife on the register of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI);



2. Have a minimum of an honours primary degree in Nursing or equivalent



3. Be currently employed as a nurse or midwife and in the areas of practice that you plan to undertake you Advance Practice Programme



4. Have support of both a Professional (DON, ADON/Practice Manager) and Clinical (medical consultant or general practitioner) Mentor for 500 hours of clinical mentorship, evidenced by a completed Site Declaration Form



5. Written commitment/memo of understanding or equivalent from the director of nursing/employer to support the student during the clinical practicum and to nominate a suitably qualified practitioner to act as a clinical supervisor during the student's clinical learning experience



6. 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;

- Have support of both a Professional (DON, ADON/Practice Manager) and Clinical (medical consultant or general practitioner) Mentor for 96 hours of clinical mentorship, evidenced by a completed Site Declaration Form.

Applications must be completed online at: https://nuigalway.elluciancrmrecruit.com/Apply/Account/Login.



An application requires a registration fee of €35. You will be asked to upload proof of identification, academic transcripts, a personal statement, an academic reference and documentation to fulfil the English requirement (where English is not your first language).

2 years, part-time.

Next start date September 2025



Closing Date

No set closing date. Offers are made on a continuous basis.

Career Opportunities

Students who successfully complete this programme are eligible to apply to the Nursing and Midwifery Board (NMBI) to register as an Advanced Nurse Practitioner (RANPs).