Nursing & Midwifery - Respiratory Care in Nursing Practice

Advance your theoretical knowledge and develop a critical and questioning approach as you explore professional issues relevant to leading respiratory patient care.



With the PgDip in Respiratory Care in Nursing Practice from the RCSI School of Nursing and Midwifery, you will enhance your clinical practice by developing an in-depth knowledge of the respiratory systems and associated conditions that impact respiratory care.



You will also spend time evaluating approaches to planning and implementing health education, interventions, polices and strategies, alongside modules which support you to develop your academic research methods, advance your professional and clinical leadership skills, and expand your professional critical reflexivity and competence.



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.



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



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



Suitable for

This programme is aimed at nurses working in respiratory healthcare settings.

What you will learn

Advanced Research Methods

Advanced Leadership and Management - Clinical

Advancing Professional Practice

Biological Science and Patient Assessment in Respiratory Care

Enhanced Care of the Respiratory Patient

Health Promotion and Behavioural Science in Respiratory Care

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. For non-nursing applicants, you must have an active or registration with an appropriate professional body.



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

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 master's programme – the MSc Nursing (Respiratory Care) – and undertake Year 2 of the full programme, completing a systematic review.