Nursing & Midwifery - Orthopaedic Trauma Nursing

Prepare to exercise an advanced level of clinical judgment and practice with the PgDip in Orthopaedic Trauma Nursing from the RCSI School of Nursing and Midwifery.



You will enhance your knowledge of orthopaedic principles and management strategies while developing problem-solving skills and best practices in creating care plans. As you advance beyond the requirements of a registered general nurse, you will explore taking a leading role in nursing within orthopaedics, considering how to effect policy change in professional practice and health service provision.



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.



Please note that there is an alternative strand of this programme available for staff at the National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh.



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



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



Suitable for

This programme is designed for registered nurses working in orthopaedic trauma settings.

What you will learn

Advanced Research Methods

Advanced Leadership – Clinical and Professional

Professional Critical Reflexivity and Competence

Principles of Orthopaedic Trauma Nursing

Core Concepts of Trauma Care

Consolidating and Advancing practice in Trauma Care Nursing

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.



Must 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.



Must be working in the specialist practice of the programme for the duration of the programme.



Must 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/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

Hybrid - Part-time

Next start date September 2025

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