Professional Diploma Prescription of Medication (with Health Assessment)

This programme is for any nurse or midwife who feels the extension of the authority to prescribe will enhance their role and improve the quality and standard of patient care. This extended role must be discussed and approved in advance with your Director of Nursing/Midwifery/Public Health.

This programme is for any General, Psychiatric, Children's, Intellectual Disability Registered Nurse or Midwife or Registered Public Health Nurse, who has three years post registration clinical experience (within the past five years) with the equivalent of one year full time experience in the specific area of practice in which they wish to prescribe.

At the end of this programme candidates will be able to:

• Demonstrate a systematic understanding of the regulatory framework associated with prescribing, including legislation and professional guidelines, supporting safe prescribing
• Critically utilise evidence based knowledge and skill of patient/client assessment and consultation to achieve a holistic approach to patient/client care in the prescribing of medicinal products
• Apply expert skills in clinical decision making in relation to prescribing medicinal products
• Demonstrate a critical understanding of pharmacotherapeutics, pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics
• Demonstrate knowledge of the role of the multi-disciplinary team and effective communication processes involved in safe medication management

This programme commences in January, runs over two trimesters and comprises four modules:

January - May (Spring Trimester)

• NMHS32170 Pharmacology for Nurse and Midwife Prescribing
• NMHS43980 Advanced Health Assessment*
• NMHS33140 Prescribing Practice Context

January - August (Spring & Summer Trimesters)

• NMHS33150 Clinical Practicum Prescribing

* Advanced Health Assessment is NFQ Level 9

Some modules are delivered using face-to-face classroom teaching while others use a blended approach to teaching and learning.  Using a blended approach offers greater flexibility and choice about when, where and how you want to learn. Blended learning requires a high level of personal motivation, self-discipline and an aptitude for self-directed learning. Brightspace (a web-based virtual learning environment) is used extensively. Access to fast broadband and proficiency in computer skills are essential. 

Theoretical Component

Normally, all face-to-face  classroom teaching is delivered on UCD Belfield campus and is scheduled each Wednesday from January to May. Candidates received no less than 28 days (168 hours) theoretical instruction (to include self-directed study and exams).  Due to the Corona virus, face-to-face classroom teaching may need to be delivered via virtual classroom.  In respect of the Advanced Health Assessment module,  the delivery of face-to-face clinical skills laboratory teaching and assessment is currently under review. 

Clinical Component

The clinical component runs over a minimum 26 week period (i.e. January to August). Candidates receive no less than 12 days (96 hours) of clinical instruction under the supervision of a named medical practitioner.  All candidates must be working in the area where the clinical practicum will occur for the duration of the programme. Discretionary practice placements may be selected based upon individual student identified needs.  Students are required to complete 10 prescribing case studies (seven formative and three summative) under the supervision of a medical practitioner.  The assessment of competence is comprised of three summative assessments and a record of having completed 96 hours clinical instruction.

You must:

• Be registered as a nurse or midwife on the liver register with the NMBI
• Be currently employed as a nurse or midwife
• Have a minimium 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
• Be in possession of competencies recognised at Level 8 of the NQAI framework
• Submit a Site Declaration Form signed by the Director of Nursing/Midwifery and nominated Medical Practitioner
• Posess IT competencies

Validated copies of Certificate/Diploma/Degree awards in Nursing 

Original transcript(s) including date and grading of degree award (non UCD Graduates only) & notarised English translations where relevant

A photocopy of current NMBI registration 

A copy of your birth certificate or personal page of passport

Evidence of proficiency in English language (applicants whose first language is not English).  

Site Decleration Form (Prescribing Medicinal Products) (Only up to date fully complete Site Declaration Forms will be accepted)  

Please note:  Failure to submit the required documentation or parts thereof prior to the application closing date will result in your application being rejected

Applications are made online through UCD Applications. ​Applicants may be required to undertake an interview (either face-to-face or via telecommunication) as part of the admission process.

Failure to submit the required documentation or parts thereof prior to the application closing date will result in your application being rejected. 

Please note that all applicants are required to pay a €50 application fee. Your application cannot be processed fully unless the application fee has been paid.

Apply online

Funded Students: Employees of Health Services Executive 

If  you are an employee of the Health Services Executive Voluntary and Statutory Services and your Director of Nursing supports your application, then the HSE will fund you to undertake this education programme.   Please note, funded applicants must pay the €50 application fee. Your application cannot be processed fully unless the application fee has been paid.

UCD Fees

The fees for your programme can be found at the links below. Search using your major code (the four-digit code beginning with 'X' which can be found in the key information box on this page).

• EU fees information
• Non-EU fees information

Please note that UCD fees are subject to change annually. The fees shown include the student centre levy which must be paid by all students. 

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 €50 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

The fees for the Professional Certificate Referring for Radiological Procedure programme can be found at the links below. Search using your major code (the four-digit code beginning with ‘X644’ which can be found in the key information box on the right-hand side of this page).

• EU Fees / UCD Undergraduate Certificate & Diploma Fees
• Non-EU Fees / UCD Undergraduate Certificate & Diploma Fees.

All applicants are required to pay the €50 application fee. Your application cannot be processed fully unless the application fee has been paid.  Further information about fees is available on the UCD Fees website.  If you have any query about your fees, please contact student.payments@ucd.ie

Please note: UCD fees are subject to change annually.  The fees shown include the student centre levy which must be paid by all students