Nursing & Midwifery - Occupational Health

Advance your understanding of occupational health with this Postgraduate Diploma from the RCSI School of Nursing and Midwifery, a programme that aims to promote efficiencies in applying healthcare discoveries to clinical practice.



Core modules cover government legislation and policies, contemporary issues requiring proactive solutions and the role of communication within healthcare teams and between employers and employees. You will also develop your leadership capability, enhance your critical analysis and hone your research skills. You will develop essential knowledge, skills and competencies for advanced practice in occupational health and equip yourself with the skills to perform your role in a quality-based, consistent and efficient manner.



This 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.



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



Suitable for

This programme is suitable for healthcare professionals working in an occupational health setting.

What you will learn

Advanced Research Methods

Advanced Leadership – Professional and Clinical

Advancing Professional Practice

Safety in Occupational Health

Occupational Health and Wellbeing

Leadership in Occupational Health

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.



Have an active registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland or other registration in a country in which they are practicing if international students; for non-nursing applicants, you must have an active registration with an appropriate professional body.



Provide a clinical learning agreement signed by a director of nursing or designate.



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/online/find-a-course/postgraduate-diploma/o/c/occupational-health



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

Hybrid - Part-time

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 Occupational Health – and undertake Year 2 of the full programme, completing a systematic review.