Graduate Diploma Critical Care Nursing (Cardiovascular)

• Develop a greater understanding of the principles which underpin the various aspects of critical care nursing particularly in relation to cardiovascular care
• Augment students' knowledge and appreciation of nursing theory and biopsychosocial sciences which underpin critical care nursing practice in a cardiovascular care setting
• Provide students with an opportunity for personal growth and professional development
• Develop skills to enhance their professional practice, including critical analysis, creative thinking, decision making and communication

Indicative Timetable

The programme is delivered using a blended approach. Students can expect to have approximately five in-person days in the Autumn Trimester and five in-person days in the Spring Trimester (usually once or twice per month). The remainder of the programme is supported through online lectures.

In addition, regarding clinical placements, students need to complete a one-day heart failure placement and one-day cardiac rehabilitation placement, and a three-day cardiac catheterisation laboratory placement within their own hospital. If those services are not available within the student's own hospital, placement will be arranged in a UCD partner hospital in Dublin. 

Programme Strengths

Highly focused on enhancing clinical practice
The programme is focused on developing practical, usable cardiovascular critical care nursing skill to enable graduates to be even more effective clinicians, change agents and clinical leaders in the Critical Care Cardiovascular workplace.

Innovative modules
Each of the modules in the programme is designed for experienced nurses and midwives and in combination, provides a comprehensive learning experience and opportunities for acquiring new skills.  The emphasis throughout the programme is on the practical application of knowledge and skills in the cardiovascular critical care contexts. By incorporating clinical based scenarios and simulation, the specialty modules within this programme demonstrate the collaborative care provided to cardiovascular patients while also enhancing the nurse’s ability to think critically.

Networking 
The student body is drawn from a number of the organizations, enabling the sharing of learning and experience between you and your class members, as well as from the academic and clinical staff.

Additional features
The programme partners for this Graduate Diploma, St. Vincent’s University Hospital Group and the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, are critical care centers of excellence.  The Programme employs a variety of innovative assessment strategies with a strong clinical focus.

The key knowledge and skills gained on this Programme should enable you to innovate and lead in the area of practice in Critical Care Cardiovascular Nursing.

Graduate Diploma Critical Care Nursing (Cardiovascular) (X552) Full Time
EU          fee per year - € 10400
nonEU    fee per year - € 19400

Graduate Diploma Critical Care (Cardiovascular) (X744) Part Time
EU          Year 1 - € 5370
nonEU    Year 1 - € 9850
EU          Year 2 - € 5190 ^aa
nonEU    Year 2 - € 9540 <sup>aa

aa</sup>Second Year Fee applies to Students in 2nd Year in 2025 and who were a 1st Year Student on the programme in 2024/25
***Fees are subject to change

Funding

If the fees for your programme are being paid by a third party (full or partial), please ensure your funding organisation/sponsor/hospital contacts student.payments@ucd.ie. Please note this is not a student facing email address.

Student Queries

If you have any queries about your fees, please contact the Student Desk:

www.ucd.ie/askus

https://www.ucd.ie/students/studentdesk/

Application Fee

Please note that all applicants are required to pay the €60 application fee. Your application cannot be processed fully unless the application fee has been paid.

More information about fees is available on the UCD website at the link below:

• General information about UCD Fees

 

• All applicants must hold a primary degree in Nursing and be working in a cardiovascular setting for the duration of the course. RPL applications are considered for this programme.

• All applicants must be entered onto the appropriate division of the Nurses Register maintained by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) (be registered as an RGN).

• All applicants must have at least one year’s post-registration experience at time of application

• All applicants must be employed in a cardiovascular setting for the duration of the programme and work a minimum of 75 hours per month

• In addition, each student must provide documented evidence from the Director of Nursing in the clinical practice area, which guarantees a coronary care nursing placement for the duration of the programme

Documents Required

• Academic transcript(s) including date and grading of degree award (non UCD Graduates only) & notarised English translations where relevant
• Nurse applicants: A current photocopy of NMBI registration
• Other health care professionals: A current photocopy of registration with professional registration body
• Copy of Birth Certificate or Personal Page of Passport
• Signed Declaration Form from Employer (original form)
• Completed Professional Reference Form (original form)
• Nurse applicants: Completed Clinical Competence Assessor Nomination Form signed by the nominee
• Evidence of proficiency in English language (applicants whose first language is not English)

 

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL may be granted in respect of individual modules if applicants can demonstrate that the modules' learning outcomes have been achieved through prior credentialled or experiential learning. In some cases, where an applicant does not meet the prerequisites for entry to a programme, an RPL application may be considered. Further information can be found in respect of this here.

 

Full Time option suitable for:

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

Part Time option suitable for:

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

This programme is for nurses who have a primary degree (or equivalent) in nursing or a related discipline with at least one year’s post registration experience, and who are engaged in cardiovascular nursing. Candidates who undertake the cardiovascular pathway must be employed in a Coronary Care Unit (CCU)/Catheterisation Laboratory/Cardiac Ward or Combined Unit at the commencement of and for the duration of the programme.  Ideally the Critical Care Nursing-Cardiovascular Pathway is for those nurses with cardiology experience.