Nursing & Midwifery - Neonatology - Nursing

Advance your theoretical knowledge and develop a critical and questioning approach as you explore professional, clinical, leadership and managerial issues relevant to the care of the infant in the neonatal intensive care unit.



Enhance your clinical practice by developing an in-depth knowledge related to the care of the pre term infant, the ill term infant and infants with congenital anomalies. Through the development of key research skills, you will be supported to explore evidence supporting safer patient care in this setting and emerging trends in this area.



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 in Semester 1.



Specialist module teaching occurs in Semester 2, delivered by clinical teachers in the Coombe Hospital with a mix of in-person and online teaching. Further support is provided through the module lead, programme director and regular online drop-in sessions.



The award title for this course is Postgraduate Diploma Nursing (Neonatology).



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



Suitable for

This programme is suitable for registered nurses or midwives working in neonatal intensive care units.

What you will learn

Advanced Research Methods

Advanced Leadership – Professional & Clinical

Advancing Professional Practice

Nursing Care of the Ill Term Infant

Nursing Care of the Infant with a Congenital Anomaly and the Bereavement Process

Nursing Care of the Pre-Term Infant

Applicants 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.



Applicants must have an active registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland.



Applicants must be working in the National Maternity Hospital, The Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, the Rotunda Hospital or in another site which has been audit approved for the duration of the programme.



Recognition of prior learning (RPL)

Learning occurs in many contexts including work, involvement in social and community activities, and learning through life experience generally.



Recognition of prior learning (RPL) does not give credit for experience as such – rather, it considers learning that was acquired as a result of the experience. RPL may be used to gain admission to programmes where you may not have obtained the standard entry requirements. This is considered on a case-by-case basis.



Exemptions from programme modules that duplicate learning already demonstrably acquired through prior learning may also be considered on a case-by-case basis



English language requirement exceptions

English language requirements for 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.

1 year



Mode of delivery

Online - Part-time

Fees and funding

•Total fees: Fees are currently being reviewed for 2020/21 and will be released shortly.


Please note

•Your annual fees include the €45 NUI fee.

•There is a non-refundable online application fee of €50.

•Fees can be paid by bank transfer, cheque (made payable to 'RCSI') or bank giro. Full details on fee payment will be emailed to you shortly before the commencement of your programme.

•You can pay your fees in three instalments – one payment of 40% is due before you commence the programme, while the remaining payments can be paid in two 30% instalments in November and February of your year of study.

•If you meet the criteria for a Non-EU student please contact us for more information on fee payments

Next start date September 2025

Graduates of this postgraduate diploma who wish to take a further step may enrol onto the Masters programme – the MSc Nursing (Neonatology) – and undertake Year 2 of the full programme, completing a systematic review.