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Nursing (Childrens Nursing)

HDip (NFQ Level 8)

This course is available through the following application route(s)

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Note: Applications for this course are made through Children's Health Ireland and not through the UCD application system.

The Higher Diploma in Nursing (Children’s Nursing) programme is delivered in partnership with the UCD School of Nursing, Midwifery & Health Systems, and Children’s Health Ireland. This post-registration children’s nursing programme is a one-year fixed programme, awarding an academic accreditation at the Level 8 National Qualification Authority Ireland framework.

This programme will build upon your existing nursing knowledge, skills, attitudes, and professional values, enhancing your ability to care for infants, children and young people, and their families, within a variety of paediatric healthcare settings.

How will I benefit? 

On successful completion of the programme, you will receive a level 8 Higher Diploma in Nursing (Children’s Nursing) from UCD’s School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems. The programme is recognised nationally and internationally and is a highly regarded qualification. With it, you will be well-positioned for employment opportunities in a variety of paediatric healthcare settings both nationally and internationally. Academically there are opportunities to pursue to Masters/PhD level.

Programme Strengths

  • Strong working and collaborative relationship between UCD School of Nursing, Midwifery & Health Systems and Children’s Health Ireland (CHI).
  • Students on this programme will undertake clinical placements in any of the CHI Group Hospitals which include CHI at Crumlin, CHI at Temple St., CHI at Tallaght, CHI at Connolly and once it is opened, the new Children's Hospital. 
  • Lectures are both clinical and university-based, delivered by a wide range of children’s nursing specialists with national and international expertise from clinical, research and educational perspectives.
  • A variety of innovative teaching methods, including lectures, workshops, and simulations, are used to consolidate the theoretical learning into clinical practice. Assessment methods are diverse and student oriented.
  • Extensive use of IT in supporting the teaching environment of the programme
  • Access to student support services including a dedicated student advisor, librarian and access to the UCD Writing Centre

About This Course

The Higher Diploma in Nursing (Children’s Nursing) Programme delivers a curriculum aligned with NMBI Standards and Requirements for Post-Registration programmes (2018) and UCD Academic Regulation (2020) underpinned by several specific philosophical assumptions concerning child and family centred care, children and their families, professional children’s nursing practice and knowledge and scholarship.

This programme aims to provide registered nursing practitioners with advanced nursing knowledge, skills, attitudes, and professional values, through deep understanding and collaborative practice with infants, children and young people, and their families, following a child and family-centred care approach.

Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.

Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.

Module Type Module   Trimester Credits
Stage 1 Core Modules
 NMHS33250 Nurs Child Enduring Needs Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 NMHS33260 Nurs Child Diverse Needs Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 NMHS33300 Principles Children's Nursing Autumn  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
 NMHS33310 Nurs Child Acute Set (HDip) Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 NMHS33330 Practice Placement 1A Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 NMHS20810 Growth & Development Child Spring  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 NMHS33320 Evid Based Care Child (HDip) Spring  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
 NMHS33340 Practice Placement 1B Spring  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 NMHS33490 Comm Care&Service Child (Hdip) Spring  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
 NMHS33350 Practice Placement 2 Summer  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 NMHS33360 Practice Placement 3 Summer  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 NMHS33370 Practice Placement  4A Summer  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
 NMHS33380 Practice Placement 4B Summer  10

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All applicants must:

  • Registered with NMBI as RGN/RPN/RNID
  • 6 months relevant nursing experience within the last 2 years up to and including 1st April of the year of application
  • Students who have English as a second language must satisfy the English language requirements of the university to be eligible to apply

Please Note: If your preference is to be a student of UCD (partnered with CHI at Crumlin) there is an essential requirement that you must have undertaken a Level 8 Research Module (either stand alone or as part of a level 8 programme)

Please Note: If English is not your native language, unless you have completed your primary degree through English in an English-speaking country, an English language qualification is required for all programmes. Please refer to here for more details.

Desirable Criteria:

·       Experience working with or caring for children and families

·       Awareness of professional and paediatric issues

·       Management of clinical risk and quality issues

·       Experience of research-based practice and audit

 

Documents required:

  • Copy of current Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland P.I.N.
  • Copy of Birth Certificate or Personal Page of Passport.
You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EU) applicants: No


This programme is for Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) registered nurses in the divisions of General Nurse (RGN), Psychiatric Nurse (RPN) & Intellectual Disability Nurse (RNID) with a minimum of 6 months relevant nursing experience within the last 2 years.



This post-registration children’s nursing programme will provide 12 weeks theoretical instruction and 36 weeks clinical instruction comprising of placements in children’s medical/surgical wards, children’s emergency department and high-dependency care within Children’s Health Ireland (CHI). Specialist placements such as operating theatre, maternity care, intellectual disability and community care will be provided to applicants who would not have completed these placements as part of their primary undergraduate nursing degree.


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General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Nursing (Childrens Nursing):

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Nursing (Children's Nursing)
Higher Diploma

Full-Time
Commencing September 2025
Graduate Taught
Not available to International applicantsApply
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