| Code | NU6302 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 2 months |
| Teaching Mode | Part-Time. See Additional Teaching Mode Information for more info. |
| Fees | 鈧�900 See Fees and Costs for full details. |
| Closing Date | Round One: 26 June 2026 |
| Course Delivery Method | Online |
| Venue | Delivered fully on-line; students do not attend workshop dates. |
| Credits | 10 |
| Start Date | 7 Dec 26 |
Outline
On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
- Critically review the process of quality improvement and its application to clinical practice.
- Conduct an audit on an aspect relevant to clinical practice.
- Disseminate results to clinical teams in conjunction with Quality Office, Director of Nursing, or Quality and clinical Team.
- Identify actions required to close the quality loop.
- Critically reflect on the process of enhancing the contribution of nursing to the delivery of patient care.
- Develop and demonstrate critical faculties through advanced reflection skills.
- Critically reflect on the process of introducing and evaluating nursing care initiatives at ward, unit or inter-departmental level.
- Evaluate and reflect on the effectiveness of various nursing strategies which can be used to advance practice.
- Demonstrate vision of professional practice that can be developed beyond scope of practice.
Module Objective: To enable the nurse to apply critical theoretical insights to the enhancement of quality Nursing and healthcare practice.
Module Content: Quality enhancement in nursing, continuous quality improvement, stakeholder perspectives on quality health care, standard setting, performance monitoring, patient/client satisfaction with health services, quality and equity of provision, clinical quality, nursing audit. Linking theory and practice. Learning experiences planned on individual interests, with emphases on gaining in-depth skills and knowledge of the clinical role in nursing, the process of developing excellence and scholarship in nursing practice, description, analysis and synthesis of the practice domain of nursing, the process of enhancing the contribution of nursing to the delivery of care, action, strategies to improve nursing practice, practice innovation.
Delivery:
- December 7 – 18 2026
- (Holidays Dec 21st to Jan 1st)
- January 4 – 29 2027
- Delivered fully online; students do not attend workshop dates.
Dates are subject to change. Please contact the Programme Coordinator for a complete timetable breakdown.
Teaching Method(s): 200hr(s) Other (Online Learning; Discussion Board Preparation and Participation, Required Reading, Assignment Preparation and Submission, Self-Directed Learning).
Compulsory Elements: Continuous Assessment.
Assessment: Total Marks 200: Continuous Assessment 200 marks (Digital Presentation 120 marks; Online activities- 80 marks).
Module Co-ordinator: Elizabeth O'Connell, School of Nursing & Midwifery.
Lecturer(s): Staff, School of Nursing & Midwifery.
Additional Teaching Mode Information
Requirements
Applicants must satisfy the following to be eligible to apply:
- Applicants must be qualified healthcare professionals registered with the regulatory body in their country of residence.
- Applicants must have a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) or equivalent.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Applicants who do not meet the above programme entry requirements may be eligible to apply through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). See information on RPL here.
To be considered, applicants should be able to demonstrate experience and training in a relevant field. View the RPL for applicants guide here: /en/ace/helphub/.
Some such applicants may be invited for an interview to satisfy the selection committee of their suitability for the programme. Admission to such applicants will be subject to the approval of the School of Nursing and Midwifery.
UCC Student IT Requirements: All applicants should ensure the meet the UCC Student IT Requirements prior to application. See here: ACE Help Hub
Fees and Costs
The fee for this programme is €900
- This is payable on application (unless you are sponsored/funded)
- This fee is fully refundable if the programme does not run or you are not offered a place on the programme
About Funding
- Those applying for NMPDU, or other funding should contact the funding body directly.
- A guide to indicating NMPDU funding during your application can be found here: ACE Help Hub
For further information on fees and financial supports please click here.
How To Apply
Applications are accepted in two rounds.
- Round 1 closes on 26 June and Round 2 closes on 28 August.
- If all places are filled by eligible applicants by the Round 1 deadline, the programme will not open for Round 2.
- For round 2, applications will remain open until the final deadline or until all places are filled, whichever occurs first. Early application is strongly advised.
Before you apply, please prepare the following items which you will need during your application:
- Proof of Identity (Birth Cert, Passport or Driver's Licence)
- Passport-style Photograph
- Copy of your degree parchment/transcript if not a previous UCC graduate.
- English Language Test Report (if applicable)
- Supporting documentation (if required for RPL)
- Programme fee (unless sponsored/funded)
Create an account or login to UCC Apply (click the 'Apply' button below).
- Start a new application
- WHEN ASKED FOR APPLICATION TYPE - YOU MUST CHOOSE: ADULT & CONTINUING EDUCATION
- During the application on the tab titled Academic Level, under Level Selection, select the following options:
- Academic Level: Adult Continuing Education (ACE at UCC)
- Course Type: CPD Credit-Bearing Modules
- Academic Programme: Practice Enhancement for Quality Healthcare - NU6302
You can view a CPD Application Guide for all Nursing & Midwifery courses here: /en/ace/helphub/