Graduate Diploma Emergency Nursing (Children)

On successful completion of the programme, you will receive a Graduate Diploma in Paediatric Emergency 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 to work in a variety of paediatric emergency care settings both nationally and internationally. Many of our graduates are now working in diverse roles such as nurse managers, educators, researchers and advanced practitioners.

The course may be taken over 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time. Assessments are varied (assignments/short examination questions/MCQ/case presentation/practical examination/online discussion boards) and occur at intervals throughout and at the end of the trimesters. Students will attend college one day per week and learning experiences are also undertaken in planned block weeks of study, at local hospital sites.

Indicative Timetable

Our course delivery blends online learning with essential in-person practical sessions to ensure comprehensive skill development.

Trimester 1 (September - December):
All core lectures will be conducted online. Practical elements are integrated through four dedicated face-to-face days held on UCD campus. These sessions will focus on interactive workshops, vital clinical skills, immersive simulation-based education, and clinical examination practice.

Trimester 2 (January - May):
Online lecture delivery continues in Trimester 2. Additionally, students will attend two face-to-face days, specifically located at our partner clinical sites: CHI at Crumlin and CHI at Temple Street. There will be three further face-to-face days at UCD, dedicated to workshops, clinical skills, simulation-based education, and clinical examination sessions.

We have carefully planned the timetable to ensure ample breaks between all face-to-face sessions, preventing any back-to-back scheduling where possible.

Graduate Diploma Emergency Nursing (Children) (X615) Full Time
EU          fee per year - € 10400
nonEU    fee per year - € 19400

Graduate Diploma Emergency Nursing (Children) (X752) Part Time
EU          Year 2 - € 5190 ^aa
nonEU    Year 2 - € 9540 ^aa
EU          Year 1 - € 5370
nonEU    Year 1 - € 9850

^aaSecond 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

 

• Registered with NMBI as a Registered General Nurse* or registered Children’s Nurse.

• Have at least 12 month’s experience in emergency nursing care.

• Currently employed in an ED where children also attend.

• Other criteria include previous experience and evidence of ongoing professional development.

• Every application is reviewed on an individual basis – extra clinical placements may be required.

• *If you are an RGN - you must identify a Preceptor/Mentor in your own clinical site who has an RCN qualification/who has completed a Higher/Graduate Diploma in Paediatric Emergency Nursing.

Documents Required

• 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
• Nurse applicants: Completed Clinical Competence Assessor Nomination Form signed by the nominee
• Other health care professionals: A current photocopy of registration with professional registration body
• Photocopy of Birth Certificate or photocopy of Personal Page of Passport
• Signed Declaration Form by Employer 
• Completed Professional Reference Form
• 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

The Graduate Diploma in Emergency Nursing(Children) is either one-year(full-time) or 2 years (part-time), which is designed to meet the professional educational needs of registered nurses caring for children and adolescents within the emergency department setting. It aims to advance your professional awareness, commitment, responsibility, and accountability in paediatric emergency care nursing. 

• It will build on your existing knowledge and skills in caring for acutely ill or injured children who present to the emergency department


• It will provide you with the requisite knowledge, skills, attitudes, and professional values for the advancement of your role in the care of children and their families in emergency care, including critical analysis, creative thinking, decision making, and communication