MSc in Advanced Practice (Nursing) ANP

The aim of the programme is to enable experienced registered nurses to develop the knowledge and skills required for registration as an advanced nurse practitioner and to undertake advanced practice roles that meet the challenges and developments within the health services. The programme further aims to support the student to develop her/his role as an autonomous member of the multidisciplinary health care team within the healthcare organisation and professional leaders in their field of specialist practice. The graduate, equipped with such knowledge and advanced skills will be eligible to apply to the NMBI for registration as a Registered Advanced Nurse Practitioner (RANP).

You will learn advanced nursing assessment and diagnostic skills, and sharpen your analytical and critical thinking skills to enable you to independently evaluate, develop and provide optimum patient care through caseload management of a specific patient/client group. You will also gain the knowledge and experience to become a Registered Nurse Prescriber in medication and or ionising radiation.

This curriculum design, content, and development incorporate the key concepts which support a broad-based education experience for students and in accordance with Advanced Practice (Nursing) Standards and Requirements (NMBI 2017). The MSc in Advanced Practice (Nursing) (ANP) is available as a part-time programme completed over two academic years from the date of first registration for the programme. This is a national programme. The programme is comprised of two research modules, three prescribing modules and four specialist advanced practice modules for completion over two years.

There are a number of exit strategies depending on prior academic achievements and are discussed on an individual basis.

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

Applicants for the MSc in Nursing (Advanced Nursing Practice) are required to:

1. Have a minimum of an honours primary degree in Nursing or equivalent.

2. Hold active registration on a division of the professional register maintained by the NMBI or be eligible for such registration as required for individual pathways.

3. Provide evidence of support from an employer and a completed Site Declaration Form, signed by the Director of Nursing/Public Health/ authorised Nurse Manager containing confirmation of a designated medical practitioner mentor and/or Advanced Nurse Practitioner mentor who will provide supervision, support and learning opportunities, including opportunities to practice under supervision to gain the required competencies and clinical competence to practice at an advanced level in nursing.

4. For applicants who do not have medicinal prescribing completed:

• A minimum of 3 years post-registration clinical experience (within the past 5 years) with at least one year in the area in which prescribing is proposed

• Possession of competencies recognized at level 8 of the QQI framework

• Signed Site Declaration Form 

• Nomination and confirmation of a designated medical practitioner mentor

• Support from employer to undertake programme

• Demonstration of continuous professional development and the ability to study at level 8

• Possess IT competencies

• Provided documented support of a designated clinical supervisor as agreed by the Local Implementation Group

For applicants who wish to undertake the optional Ionising Radiation Prescribing module[1]   

•  Letter of recommendation from Line Manager

• Confirm his/her intention to practice as a nurse with authority to prescribe ionizing radiation (X-Ray) in the area of identified clinical need

•   Signed declaration form by the Director of Nursing, Clinical Supervisor and Head of Radiology (Consultant Radiologist)

[1] This applies only to candidates taking the Ionising Radiation Prescribing module.

In addition, applicants must:

• Provide a signed Site declaration form for prescribing modules (if you are taking the prescribing pathway) 

• Provide a site audit form for prescribing modules (if you are taking the prescribing pathway) 

• Nomination and confirmation of a designated medical practitioner mentor who will support the student in endoscopy skills training

• Seek support from an employer to undertake the programme

• Possess IT competencies

Documents Required

• Certificates of nursing qualifications or validated copies of awards
• Transcript(s) including date and grading of degree award (non UCD Graduates only) & notarised English translations where relevant
• A photocopy of current NMBI registration
• Copy of Birth Certificate or Personal Page of Passport
• Evidence of proficiency in English language (applicants whose first language is not English)
• Site Declaration Form Prescribing signed by the Director of nursing/Midwifery and Medical Mentor (Prescribing).
• Site Declaration Form (Referring for Radiological Procedures) signed by the Director of Nursing, clinical Supervisor and Head of radiology (Consultant Radiologist).  
• Clinical Mentor Agreement Form
• Director of Nursing Support Form
• Professional Mentor Agreement Form

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.

Part Time option suitable for:

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

The course is for registered nurses interested in developing advanced practice knowledge and leadership skills to plan, implement, coordinate and evaluate health care, in a defined setting and role.