Nursing - Obesity

Course Overview

This masters programme for nurses provides a broad and comprehensive curriculum that is clinically relevant and that also has a strong theoretical basis. It has been developed in parallel with the MSc in Obesity, but has been adapted to meet the needs of nurses seeking to specialise in obesity care and is delivered through the School of Nursing at University of Galway. Obesity is a major health problem, both for affected individuals and for society. There is a growing awareness of the need to provide effective treatments and prevention strategies. Our motivation in developing this programme at University of Galway is two-fold: To inform better, evidence-based, compassionate and dignified nursing care to patients affected by obesity and related disorders and secondly to inform better population level strategies to mitigate the obesity epidemic.



This “two-pronged” approach is a strong theme throughout the programme, reflected in the two distinct obesity modules that form part of the core learning. Our students will develop in-depth knowledge of the various therapeutic strategies available to patients and will understand the factors underlying variations in the obesity phenotype. Students will also appreciate the potential benefits and disadvantages of various population level strategies that can be formulated to address the obesity crisis, and the societal, political and legislative challenges faced in deploying these.



The School of Nursing at University of Galway is uniquely well placed to deliver this course, which forms part of an integrated suite of masters programmes including cardiovascular disease prevention, diabetes and clinical research. It will be delivered by clinical academic staff attached to the regional bariatric service, providing multidisciplinary medical, nursing, surgical, dietetic and psychological care to patients with severe and complicated obesity. By utilising already well established core academic nursing modules, its relevance to advanced nursing practice and health service leadership development is enhanced.



Please note that NBMI approval for funding for this course is currently pending.



Course Outline

This programme aims to prepare nurses to contribute to obesity nursing practice. The essence of bariatric nursing is the provision of individualised care to affected patients. This requires nurses to have specialist knowledge and skills that meet the physical, psychological, mental and social needs of patients and their relatives. The multi-faceted nature of bariatric nursing in clinical care settings encompasses the whole spectrum of care, from prevention to diagnosis and treatment, as well as chronic disease management. Therefore, this course encompasses a broad ethos and theoretical framework.



The course is delivered through blended learning (online content and face-to-face workshops), with an attendance requirement of approximately 10 days per four-month semester. (Please note some workshops may be scheduled at weekends.)

Year 1 is theoretical/ clinically based and represents 60 ECTS credits which is equivalent to a Postgraduate Diploma in Obesity at completion (which students can exit with, if they wish, at the end of Year 1). Year 2 is research thesis based which builds on the knowledge and skills learned in Year 1 and represents 30 ECTS credits, thus providing a total of 90 ECTS (Year 1 & 2) which is the requirement for the awarding of a Masters Health Sciences in Obesity.



Year 1



Semester 1

MD1700 Obesity in the Population (10 ECTS)

MD1701 Obesity in the Patient (10 ECTS)

NU623 Clinical Governance: Supporting Safe Practice (10 ECTS)

NU921 Clinical Competence 1 (0 ECTS)



Semester 2

NU502 Advanced Research Methods (10 ECTS)

NU6439 Service Improvement (10 ECTS)

HP 6101 Cardiovascular Health and Diabetes Prevention (10 ECTS)

NU922 Clinical Competence 2 (0 ECTS)



Year 2

Semester 1 & Semester 2

NU6515 Research Dissertation (30 ECTS)



Students’ clinical competency will be assessed by a practice portfolio (submitted at the end of Year 1, Semester 2). Students also complete practice focused assignments throughout the whole of the Year 1 programme [September to June]. In order to be eligible for the award of the Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing (Obesity) students must pass each module at 40% and pass the clinical practice portfolio.



The clinical practice component forms an integral part of the programme. Students are required to attain at least 1,000 hours specialist practice experience of working and caring for patients with obesity in a variety of environments over the programme. This includes consolidating the experiences and opportunities that are available in their own clinical environments. The student will be expected to engage in the assessment, planning, delivery and evaluation of care to patients with diabetes with the support of a designated preceptor agreed on with the programme director. To successfully meet the requirements of 1,000 hours of practice, the student will be required to work, for the duration of the first year of the programme, within practice settings that manage care for obesity patients. If required, it will be possible to arrange clinical placements with the Bariatric Medicine Service at the University Hospital Galway which will cover the full spectrum of Obesity Care.

To be considered for entry to the programme applicants must have a 2.1 degree and meet the following entry requirements:

- be registered as a general nurse

- hold an active general nursing registration

- have a minimum of one year’s post-registration experience



However, there will be special consideration for cases where applicants have demonstrated aptitude for the course material through three years of high-level experience in an obesity-related field (relevant to their background).



Candidates coming to Ireland from abroad, or who do not have a degree from Ireland or the UK, will be asked to provide evidence of an acceptable result in one of the recognised English language proficiency tests, e.g., IELTS total score of 6.5.

Applications must be completed online at: https://nuigalway.elluciancrmrecruit.com/Apply/Account/Login.



An application requires a registration fee of €35. You will be asked to upload proof of identification, academic transcripts, a personal statement, an academic reference and documentation to fulfil the English requirement (where English is not your first language).

2 years, full-time MHSc ; 1 year, full-time PDip.

Next start date September 2025

Career Opportunities

On completion of the Postgraduate Diploma/Master’s’ of Health Sciences Obesity, which are Level 9 NFQ awards, a registered nurse would be eligible to apply for clinical nurse specialist registration in obesity.