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.



Programme Strengths



Students on this programme will undertake clinical placements in CHI at Crumlin and Clark Clinic at RBHSC. The placement locations will allow you to experience the care of a wide spectrum of presenting cardiac conditions including congenital heart disease, acquired cardiac defects in settings including the cardiac catheterisation laboratory, the hybrid lab, cardiac MRI and Cardiac theatre.



Lectures are both clinical and university-based and are delivered by a wide range of specialists. These include Specialist Nurses, Advanced Nurse Practitioners, Cardiologists and Cardiothoracic Surgeons, Pharmacists, Radiologists, Dieticians, Physiotherapists and Psychologists.



There is a strong emphasis on continuous progression of clinical ability and clinical effectiveness through continuous assessment, clinical examinations, and case presentations



The delivery of specialist modules on care of the child with a cardiac condition.



Flexible pathway – recognition of prior learning where applicable



Extensive use of IT in supporting the teaching environment of the programme



Access to student support services including a dedicated student advisor, librarian and access to the UCD Writing Centre

Stage 1 - Option

Leadership & Organisational DynamicsNMHS42230

Clinical PracticumNMHS42460

ResMethodsAppliedtoHealthcareNMHS43270

Adv Children's Crit CareNMHS43720

Specialist Considerations in Children’s Cardiac CareNMHS44170

Fundamental Concepts in Children’s Cardiac CareNMHS44180



A wide range of teaching methods are used, which includes large and small group lectures, seminars and tutorials. Clinical teaching is undertaken by specialists in the clinical area who work with the students to assist them in applying theory to practice. The UCD Virtual Learning platform ‘Brightspace’ supports online teaching and learning, facilitating synchronous and asynchronous online content delivery. Clinical placements provide students with excellent opportunities to learn from experts in other hospitals and/or within their own hospitals; students attend multi-disciplinary team meetings and engage in supervised practice.

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

The following entry routes are available:



Graduate Diploma Children’s Cardiac Care PT (X962)

Duration 2 Years

Attend Part Time

Deadline Rolling*



* Courses will remain open until such time as all places have been filled, therefore early application is advised

2 years part-time.

MODE OF DELIVERY: Blended

Next Intake: 2024/2025 September.