Nursing & Midwifery - Gerontological Nursing

Enhance your nursing practice by developing theoretical knowledge necessary to provide evidence-based, quality care to our older population. You will also explore mental health disorders and dementia in older adults and consider the important role of person-centred care.



With critical discussion of contemporary issues surrounding legislation and quality improvement, you will develop as a thoughtful practitioner ready to respond accordingly to the professional challenges you face every day. This RCSI School of Nursing and Midwifery programme is delivered part-time via an active blended learning approach including self-directed learning and live online classes approximately once every week.



Further support is provided through the module lead, programme director and regular online drop-in sessions.



The award title for this course is Postgraduate Certificate Nursing (Gerontology).



This course is a Level 9 award on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications



Suitable for

This programme is designed for registered nurses and healthcare professionals with an interest in the care of the older person.

What you will learn

Biopsychosocial Perspectives of Older Persons: A Person-Centred Model of Care

Dementia and Mental Health Disorders in Older Adults

Contemporary Issues, Legislation and Quality Improvement in Older Persons Services

To be eligible for the programme you must:



Hold an NFQ Level 8 qualification. However, applicants who do not hold a Level 8 qualification may still be eligible to join the programme through our supported-entry pathway programme. This is subject to an assessment of prior learning and experience.



Have an active registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland.



Be working in the specialist area of practice for the duration of the programme.



Recognition of prior learning (RPL)

If you do not meet the minimum academic requirements above, you may still be eligible to apply through recognition of prior learning (RPL). RPL is the assessment of knowledge, skills and competence previously acquired.



Learning occurs in many contexts which include work, involvement in social and community activities, or learning through life experience generally. RPL does not give credit for experience as such; rather it considers the learning that was acquired as a result of the experience.



RPL may be used to gain:



Admission to courses/programmes where a person may not have obtained the standard entry requirements.

Exemptions from course modules which duplicate the learning outcomes an individual has already demonstrably acquired through prior learning.



English language requirement exceptions

English language requirements for RCSI Postgraduate programmes are published at

https://www.rcsi.com/dublin/postgraduate/policies-and-guidelines/english-language-requirements



If you have completed undergraduate/postgraduate full-time studies in the medium of the English language (three or more years cumulatively) or are registered with the NMBI, you are exempt from these requirements.

6 months



Mode of delivery

Online - Part-time

Next start date January 2026

Upon the successful completion of this programme, students can progress to a postgraduate diploma.