Nursing - Professional Nursing

Course Overview

The Masters of Science in Professional Nursing will be offered to qualified, experienced nurses who wish to develop their knowledge, skills and competencies. The programme provides the nurse with a broad based educational experience to practice at an advanced level incorporating key concepts such as advanced decision making, professional leadership, evidence based practice, professional ethics, research knowledge and skills.



This programme was developed in partnership with educational institutions, health care service providers and learners nationally. This was achieved by the Dundalk Institute of Technology working in collaboration and partnership with representatives from Departments of Nursing within each of the Institutes of Technology in Ireland namely Letterkenny Institute of Technology (LKIT), Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT), Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT), Institute of Technology Tralee (ITT) and Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT).

Year 1

The Fundamentals of Professional Practice (10 ECTS)

Leadership and Clinical Decision Making for Advanced Practice (10 ECTS)

Research Methods for Evidence Based Practice (10 ECTS)

Advanced practice in Person Centred Integrated Care (10 ECTS)



Year 2

Generating Evidence Based for Healthcare Practice and Improvement (30 ECTS — Year long module)

Quality and Innovation (10 ECTS)

Elective Modules: Advanced Comprehensive Health Assessment (10 ECTS) or Transforming Professional Practice Through Reflection (10 ECTS)

Generating Evidence Based for Healthcare Practice and Improvement (30 ECTS — Year long module)

To be eligible for this programme applicants must:

- Be registered Nurse with NMBI

- Be currently employed in health care provision

- Hold a level 8 qualification



*Applicants who do not have a level 8 qualification may apply for entry to the programme in accordance with the procedures outlined in the DkIT Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy.



Due to the blended learning delivery within this course students should have access to a PC / Mac, a headset with a mic, and a broadband internet connection from home, so as to be able to fully participate in the course.



- Basic IT skills are essential to complete this programme.

- Applicants may be interviewed.

How To Apply

Apply Directly to DkIT

Apply directly to DkIT using our online applications system (see "Application Weblink" above). Please remember to upload the required documentation (copies of your existing qualification(s), your CV, any other support documents etc) with your online application to expedite your application. To avoid disappointment early registration is recommended.

2 years part-time, blended delivery.



Course Delivery

This programme will be delivered predominantly online with live online lectures on Tuesdays from 09.00hrs to 13.30hrs. In the afternoons students will be given directed study, which students can undertake at a time suitable to them.



Students are also required to attend the DkIT campus, from 09.00hrs to 16.30 hrs, for 3 days (approx.) in each semester.



Please note this timetable is subject to change.

Start Date: September 2025.

Career Opportunities

The programme provides the nurse with a broad based educational experience to practice at an advanced level.



Education Progression

Graduates of this Programme will be able to progress to level 10 (PhD) programmes. In addition, they may avail of Level 10 research opportunities in DkIT.