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About University of Galway
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Accessibility & LanguagePublic Health Nursing (PDip)
PDip (Public Health Nursing)
College of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences, School of Nursing and Midwifery- Title of Award
- Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing
- Course Code
- 1MDH9
- Delivery
- Blended Learning
- NFQ
- Level 9
- Award Type
- Major
- Duration
- 1 year, full-time
- ECTS Weighting
- 60
Why Choose This Course?
Course Information
This course if for nurses who wish to register and practice as Public Health Nurses, applicants must meet the criteria below.
- Be registered in the General Nursing Division of the Register of Nurses maintained by the Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) or entitled to be so registered AND have a minimum of two years' post-registration general nursing experience.* OR
- Be registered in the General Nursing Division and another Division of the Register, including Registered Midwife (RM), Registered Children’s Nurse (RCN), Registered Nurse Intellectual Disability (RNID) or Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN) Divisions of the Register of Nurses and Midwives maintained by the NMBI or entitled to be so registered; AND have a minimum of 12 months' post-registration general nursing experience as an RGN, and 12 months post-registration experience as an RM or RCN or RNID or RPN.* AND
- Meet the academic criteria set by the relevant Higher Education Institute (HEI); Hold an NQAI Level 8 qualification (honours degree) or proof of equivalency; Demonstrate that they have undertaken a programme of study at NFQ Level 8. The academic transcript provided will be used as evidence to demonstrate this, and it should be for the highest level award.*
- If an applicant has not studied at Irish NFQ Level 8 or above or is unable to submit a complete academic transcript or is unsure of the level of their award as detailed above or is unable to confirm the level of their award is equivalent to Irish NFQ Level 8 or above they must complete an Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL).*
- Applicants whose first language or language of primary expression is not English must provide evidence that their English language ability meets the required standard for admission in one of the following ways*:
- The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) - the overall minimum required score is 7.0 on the IELTS assessment test Academic Version, with a minimum of 7.0 in any three components and 6.5 in any one component or the equivalent in another English language test and examination. *certificate must have been completed within 2 years of deadline for submitting Std PHN application.
- In circumstances where applicants previously met the minimum English requirements, but the cert has expired (applicants must submit the expired certificate with their application), applicants will not be required to re-take the examination if:
- They have worked, for a minimum of 2 years, through the medium of English in a country where English is the acknowledged primary language.
- Satisfy the selection/admission committee that they have the ability to complete the programme;*
What will I study?
The theoretical component of the Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing (Public Health Nursing) is comprised of 5 modules (if a registered midwife) and 6 modules (if not a registered midwife).
You will also complete clinical placement competency assessments within the community setting. Students who are not registered midwives will also undertake 5 weeks placement and a clinical assessment in a maternity setting.
- Clinical Governance - Supporting Safe practice
- Advanced Research Methods
- Promoting Population Health Across the Lifespan
- Child Health Surveillance, Welfare and Protection
- Public Health Nursing Praxis
- Maternal, Infant and Family Health (non-midwives only)
- Public Health Nursing Placement
- Maternity Placement (Child non-midwives only)
Note: This full-time programme is currently sponsored by the HSE.
Curriculum Information
Curriculum information relates to the current academic year (in most cases).Course and module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Glossary of Terms
- Credits
- You must earn a defined number of credits (aka ECTS) to complete each year of your course. You do this by taking all of its required modules as well as the correct number of optional modules to obtain that year's total number of credits.
- Module
- An examinable portion of a subject or course, for which you attend lectures and/or tutorials and carry out assignments. E.g. Algebra and Calculus could be modules within the subject Mathematics. Each module has a unique module code eg. MA140.
- Subject
- Some courses allow you to choose subjects, where related modules are grouped together. Subjects have their own required number of credits, so you must take all that subject's required modules and may also need to obtain the remainder of the subject's total credits by choosing from its available optional modules.
- Optional
- A module you may choose to study.
- Required
- A module that you must study if you choose this course (or subject).
- Required Core Subject
- A subject you must study because it's integral to that course.
- Semester
- Most courses have 2 semesters (aka terms) per year, so a three-year course will have six semesters in total. For clarity, this page will refer to the first semester of year 2 as 'Semester 3'.
Year 1 (60 Credits)
OptionalNU623: Clinical Governance: Supporting Safe Practice - 10 Credits - Semester 2OptionalNU6585: Child and Maternal Health (Non Midwife Cohort) - 5 Credits - Semester 1
OptionalNU6751: Promoting Population Health Across the Lifespan - 10 Credits - Semester 1
OptionalNU7439A: Service Improvement A Midwife Cohort - 10 Credits - Semester 1
OptionalNU7439B: Service Improvement B Non-Midwife Cohort - 5 Credits - Semester 1
OptionalNU890: Professional Practice I (NH) - 0 Credits - Semester 1
OptionalNU890.MW: Professional Practice I - 0 Credits - Semester 1
OptionalEX045: Previous Yr Exemption - 45 Credits - Semester 1
OptionalNU6523: Maternal Infant and Family Health - 10 Credits - Semester 1
OptionalNU502: Advanced Research Methods - 10 Credits - Semester 1
OptionalNU6885: Child Health, Surveillance, Welfare and Protection - 10 Credits - Semester 2
OptionalNU736: Professional Practice (Child/Maternal Health) I - 0 Credits - Semester 2
OptionalNU738: Professional Practice V - 0 Credits - Semester 2
OptionalNU738.MW: Professional Practice V - 0 Credits - Semester 2
OptionalNU891: Professional Practice II (NH) - 0 Credits - Semester 1
OptionalNU891.MW: Professional Practice II - 0 Credits - Semester 1
OptionalNU893: Professional Practice IV (NH) - 0 Credits - Semester 2
OptionalNU893.MW: Professional Practice IV - 0 Credits - Semester 2
OptionalNU892: Professional Practice III (NH) - 0 Credits - Semester 2
OptionalNU892.MW: Professional Practice III - 0 Credits - Semester 2
OptionalNU6573: Public Health Nursing Praxis - 10 Credits - Semester 2
Blended learning approach: Student centred learning takes place in the classroom and online, face to face content is varied and delivered through workshops, large and small group teaching methods.
- Range of modules: Includes modules in maternal and infant health, child health, population health and management.
- Connections to clinical practice: Provides strong connections with clinical specialists and highly experienced public health nursing professionals.
- Collaborative Community: Part of a collaborative community of healthcare professionals with specialist knowledge of a varied of subjects relating to public health nursing.
- Strengthen problem-solving abilities: Learn to approach clinical challenges critically, using both theoretical and practical perspectives.
- Develop professional expertise: Hone the skills required to practice as a public health nurse.
Graduates are employed as Public Health Nurses by the HSE immediately on completion of the course. All graduates are provided with full-time permanent positions.
You will have developed a specific knowledge that will enable you, as a community practitioner, to provide primary healthcare and target public health issues in the community.
All students undertake 675 hours of community public health nursing placement as a mandatory component of the course. Students are allocated a PHN preceptor to support them through these placements. Placement are provided by the students sponsoring area and are allocated by the HSE.
Students who do not have a midwifery qualification are also required to undertake 180 hours of maternity placement in a hospital maternity site. These are allocated to student on commencement of the course and the locations include the maternity units in the hospitals below.
University Hospital Galway
Portiuncla Univeristy Hospital
Sligo University Hospital
Mayo University Hospital
University Maternity Hospital Limerick
Letterkenny University Hospital
Midlands Regional Hospital Mullingar
Accrediting Body
Graduates are eligible to register with NMBI (the regulatory body nursing professionals in Ireland) on the public health nursing division. This is a requirement to practice as a Public Health Nurse.
How will I learn?
The Postgraduate Diploma in Public health Nursing combines innovative teaching methods with practical, hands-on learning to ensure a comprehensive educational experience. You will learn through a mix of interactive lectures, seminars and workshops led by expert faculty. Clinically relevant case studies and contemporary research is integrated to aid development of practitioners to provide evidence based care.
Group projects and collaborative activities will enhance your teamwork and communication skills, while individual assignments and the final dissertation will help you develop independence and critical thinking.
How Will I Be Assessed?
Throughout the programme, your progress is assessed through various coursework, including OSCEs, essays and presentations.
Continuous Assessment - Regular coursework, including essays, OSCEs and presentations.
Course queries:
Nicola.gillmeeley@universityofgalway.ie
Programme Director(s):
Nicola Gill Meeley,
Lecturer in Nursing,
School of Nursing and Midwifery
College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
E: Nicola.gillmeeley@universityofgalway.ie
T: 091 495036
University of Galway recognises that knowledge and skills can be acquired from a range of learning experiences. This is in line with the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) goals which aim to recognise all learning achievements by supporting the development of alternative pathways to qualifications (or awards) and by facilitating the recognition of prior learning (RPL).
Accreditations & Awards
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The Master of Health Science (Public Health Nursing) blends theory with practical placements, preparing students for their role in primary care. Lecturers and PHN preceptors at University of Galway were supportive and responsive to my learning needs. Modules were relevant, practical, and insightful, helping me understand population health and gain skills to care for all ages. Beyond academics, meeting nurses from varied backgrounds enriched the experience. The friendships, shared knowledge, and laughter along the way were invaluable and will last a lifetime.
Emma Murphy
PHN HSE
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I have just completed a PGDip in Public Health Nursing at the University of Galway. Returning to third level after twenty years, I found the staff and lecturers exceptionally supportive and approachable. My concerns about technology and academic writing were quickly addressed with resources and guidance. Lecturers varied topics, encouraged discussion, and showed flexibility in timetables to achieve the best outcomes. The coordinator welcomed feedback, bridging theory and practice. I would highly recommend the University to anyone considering postgraduate study.
Deirdre McGrath
PHN HSE
The PHN programme not only positively influences the care we provide to our patients by facilitating adult learners with best evidence based practice. It also positively influences our own growth and development has autonomous practitioners working within a multidisciplinary team. It is singularly the best decision I made for my family and work/life balance. To care for people in their home is a privilege and I feel so fortunate to have that privilege.
Colette O Malley
PHN HSE
Meet our Employers
Entry Requirements and Fees
- Be registered in the General Nursing Division of the Register of Nurses maintained by the Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) or entitled to be so registered AND have a minimum of two years' post-registration general nursing experience.* OR
- Be registered in the General Nursing Division and another Division of the Register, including Registered Midwife (RM), Registered Children’s Nurse (RCN), Registered Nurse Intellectual Disability (RNID) or Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN) Divisions of the Register of Nurses and Midwives maintained by the NMBI or entitled to be so registered; AND have a minimum of 12 months' post-registration general nursing experience as an RGN, and 12 months post-registration experience as an RM or RCN or RNID or RPN.* AND
- Meet the academic criteria set by the relevant Higher Education Institute (HEI); Hold an NQAI Level 8 qualification (honours degree) or proof of equivalency; Demonstrate that they have undertaken a programme of study at NFQ Level 8. The academic transcript provided will be used as evidence to demonstrate this, and it should be for the highest level award.*
- If an applicant has not studied at Irish NFQ Level 8 or above or is unable to submit a complete academic transcript or is unsure of the level of their award as detailed above or is unable to confirm the level of their award is equivalent to Irish NFQ Level 8 or above they must complete an Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL).*
- Satisfy the selection/admission committee that they have the ability to complete the programme;*
Academic entry requirements standardised per country are available here.
English Language Entry Requirements
- Applicants whose first language or language of primary expression is not English must provide evidence that their English language ability meets the required standard for admission in one of the following ways*:
- The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) - the overall minimum required score is 7.0 on the IELTS assessment test Academic Version, with a minimum of 7.0 in any three components and 6.5 in any one component or the equivalent in another English language test and examination. *certificate must have been completed within 2 years of deadline for submitting Std PHN application.
- In circumstances where applicants previously met the minimum English requirements, but the cert has expired (applicants must submit the expired certificate with their application), applicants will not be required to re-take the examination if:
- They have worked, for a minimum of 2 years, through the medium of English in a country where English is the acknowledged primary language.
More information on English language test equivalency are available here.
You can apply online through www.hsejobs.ie
Please review the entry requirements set out in the section above.
Closing Dates
For this programme, the closing date is set by the HSE and can vary applications usually open in Jan- Feb each year. It is very important to check www.hsejobs.ie for further information and specific application periods.
| Course Type | Year | EU Tuition | Student Contribution | Non-EU Tuition | Levy | Total Fee | Total EU Fee | Total Non-EU Fee |
|---|
Students undertaking this programme are sponsored by the HSE. The HSE pay 100% of their fees and students provided with a salary for the duration of the programme more information can be found on www.hsejobs.ie
Why University of Galway?
World renowned research led university nestled in the vibrant heart of Galway city on Ireland's scenic West Coast.
Contact the School of Nursing and Midwifery
Áras Moyola, Upper Newcastle, Galway
Downloads
Meet Our Alumni
Course Introduction
This programme leads to registration as a Public Health Nurse.
The Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing (Public Health Nursing) is for registered nurses who wish to pursue a career in public health nursing. It provides supportive, interactive and engaging learning to develop the skills and knowledge required to register and practice as a Public Health Nurse.
