Course Summary
This programme aims to meet the educational needs of nurses working in an acute medical unit (AMU, AMAU, MAU), short stay unit or equivalent which cares for patients with acute medical conditions.
College Link
Career Sectors
This course prepares you for working in the Career Sectors below. Follow the links to get a fuller understanding of the sectors you are preparing for.
Entry Requirements
2. Currently employed as a nurse in an Acute Medical Unit (AMUs), Acute Medical Assessment Unit (AMAU), or Medical Assessment Unit (MAU), Short Stay Unit (SSU), or an equivalent clinical setting that has a remit for caring for patients in the acute stage of their medical illness. Applicants must have a minimum of six months’ experience in this setting over the past two years;
3. Written evidence of support for the applicant from their Director of Nursing and clinical unit manager;
4. Minimum academic and/or professional qualifications and standards required, together with any equivalence that may apply;
5. Students must work in the clinical area for the duration of the programme. Clinical requirements for completion of the programme are to pass two clinical competencies and are required to complete a minimum of 500 hours (reduced from previously-published 1,000 hours, on NMBI advice) in an acute medical unit or equivalent setting as deemed by the programme director.
Application Details
How to apply
We encourage all applicants to apply as early as possible.
Review/Closing Dates (for Taught Programmes)
For most programmes, University of Galway does not set specific closing dates for receipt of applications. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and course quotas will be reviewed continuously throughout the application cycle with the exception of applications for some programmes which are reviewed after the specified closing date. Candidates who do not have their final degree marks available may be made a conditional (provisional) offer.
Online Application
Applications to most postgraduate programmes at University of Galway are made online via www.universityofgalway.ie/apply (see "Application Weblink").
Next start date: September 2024.
Closing Date: 31st May 2024.
Fees
€7,640 (Yr 1) & €3,355 (Yr 2) 2024/25
Fees: Tuition
€7,500 p.a. (Yr 1); €3,250 (Yr 2) 2024/25
Fees: Student levy
€140 p.a. 2024/25
Fees: Non EU
€17,500 p.a. (€17,640 p.a. including levy) 2024/25
The Student
Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests. If these interests do not describe you, this course may prepare you for work you may not find satisfying.
Social
The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.
Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.
Investigative
The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.
Career Progression
This course is particularly significant as the 2010 Report of the National Acute Medicine Programme (AMP) suggested a new approach to education and training with the development of acute medicine as a speciality for physicians and the nursing and therapy professions. It further suggested that these nurses must consolidate and expand their knowledge and skills to meet the need for early detailed assessment and development of initial treatment plans (HSE, 2010). In the future, there may be a demand for clinical nurse specialists working in acute medicine, and graduates of this programme will be ideally placed to apply for these types of positions.