Nursing - Critical Care Nursing - Intensive Care

Critical Care Nursing requires an advanced knowledge base, skilled assessment, prompt intervention and ongoing evaluation in order to care for the critically ill with complex needs. The critical care nurse maintains the balance between the science of nursing and the art of caring. This course will provide the nurse with an opportunity to develop, enhance and maintain these specialist skills that are required to care for the critically ill.



Critical care nursing requires an advanced knowledge base, skilled assessment, prompt intervention, and ongoing evaluation to care for the critically ill with complex needs. This course will provide the nurse with an opportunity to develop, enhance and maintain these specialist skills that are required to care for the critically ill.



This programme will enhance your career prospects and give you the building blocks for lifelong self-directed learning. It will also provide you with the vital knowledge and skills to innovate and lead in your area of practice in Critical Care. Following successful completion of the Graduate Certificate in Nursing Critical Care - Intensive Care, you will be able to complete an MSc Critical Care in one academic year.



Major Strengths

UCD has a long history of producing high-quality graduates

This programme enables graduates to be even more effective clinicians, change agents and clinical leaders in Critical Care

Access to clinical and university-based lecturers with national and international expertise from clinical, research and educational perspectives

The Programme employs a variety of innovative assessment strategies with a strong clinical focus

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

Access to excellent facilities for lectures

The Graduate Certificate in Nursing, Critical Care – Intensive Care is a 40 ECTS programme offered over1-year. Assessments are varied (assignments/short examination questions/MCQ/case presentation/practical examination) and occur at intervals throughout and at the end of the trimesters.



NMHS 32440/42630 Core Concepts of ICU Nursing (Autumn Trimester, 10 ECTS)*

NMHS42770 Complex Critically Ill Patient (Spring Trimester, 10 ECTS)

NMHS42780 Chronically Critically Ill (Spring Trimester, 10 ECTS)

NMHS42520 Clinical Practicum (ICU) (Year Long Module, 10 ECTS)



*Please note that students are eligible to apply for exemption of NMHS 32440 based on successful completion of the following modules.



NMHS 32770: National Foundation Module in Critical Care Nursing

NMHS 31820 Foundation Intensive Care Nursing MMUH

NMHS32830 Foundation Intensive Care Nursing SVUH

- Applicants must hold a primary degree in Nursing (or equivalent in a related discipline)/RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) consideration if no degre



- Applicants must be listed on the Register of Nurses and Midwives, which is maintained by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI)



- Applicants must hold a Graduate Diploma in another specialist area of nursing or have obtained 30 ECT (credits) at level 9 (Masters Level in both research and theoretical aspects of nursing)



- Other criteria to be used in the assessment of the application include number of years of experience, and evidence of ongoing professional development



- Must have at least one year’s post-registration experience at the time of application



Must be employed in coronary care nursing for the duration of the programme and work a minimum of 75 hours per month



- Also each student must provide documented evidence from the Director of Nursing in the clinical practice area, which guarantees ICU placement for the duration of the programme



Documents Required



Academic transcript(s) including date and grading of degree award (non UCD Graduates only) & notarised English translations where relevant

Nurse applicants: A current photocopy of An Bord Altranais registration

Other health care professionals: A current photocopy of registration with professional registration body

Copy of Birth Certificate or Personal Page of Passport

Signed Declaration Form from Employer (original form)

Completed Professional Reference Form (original form)

Nurse applicants: Completed Clinical Competence Assessor Nomination Form signed by the nominee

Evidence of proficiency in English language (applicants whose first language is not English)

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)



RPL may be granted in respect of individual modules if applicants can demonstrate that the modules' learning outcomes have been achieved through prior credentialled or experiential learning. In some cases, where an applicant does not meet the prerequisites for entry to a programme, an RPL application may be considered. Further information can be found in respect of this here.

How to apply?

The following entry routes are available:



Grad Cert Critical Care Nursing (Intensive Care) PT (X685)

Duration 1 Years

Attend Part Time

Deadline Rolling*



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

1 year part-time.

MODE OF DELIVERY: Face-to-Face

Next Intake: 2024/2025 September.

Careers & Employability

The Graduate Certificate Critical Care Nursing Intensive Care provides you with the comprehensive knowledge and skills required for caring for the critically ill. The key knowledge and skills gained on this programme will also enable you to innovate and lead in your area of practice in Critical Care.