| Code | NU6306 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 6 weeks online | 24聽Aug - 2 Oct 2026 |
| Teaching Mode | Part-Time |
| Fees | 鈧�900 See Fees and Costs for full details. |
| Closing Date | Round One: 26 June 2026 Round Two: 12 Aug 2026 |
| Course Delivery Method | Online |
| Venue | On-line. No Attendance. |
| Credits | 10 |
| Start Date | 24聽Aug 2026 |
Outline
Module linked to MSc Quality Healthcare Improvement programme (On-line +MSc).
On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
- Critically explore the concept of leadership and theoretical approaches to leadership and their application to clinical practice.
- Identify and critically analyse core competencies required for contemporary clinical leadership in nursing.
- Critically appraise methods and models of decision-making in clinical leadership.
- Demonstrate critical awareness of team leadership and inter-professional communication in different health care contexts.
- Identify and critically discuss the role of nurse leaders in quality improvement initiatives.
- Demonstrate critical awareness of role of leadership in creation of a safe environment for patient/client care.
- Identify and critically reflect on the role of nurse leaders in creating a motivating clinical environment, staff empowerment and advocacy.
- Debate and appraise critical issues in meeting the needs of service users within the challenges of a dynamic political, social, technical, economic, organisational and professional environment.
Module Objective: To develop a critical understanding of the concept of clinical leadership in nursing and explore the key leadership knowledge, skills and competencies required by nurses for healthcare quality improvement.
Module Content: Theories of Leadership and their application to clinical nursing practice; core leadership competencies; models of nurse led decision-making; nurse led quality improvement and patient safety initiatives e.g. the productive ward/transforming care at the bed side (TCAB); clinical supervision; team leadership and inter-professional communication; motivating work environment, staff empowerment and advocacy; nursing leadership challenges in meeting the changing needs of service users in a dynamic political, social, technical, economic, organisational and professional environment.
Module Co-ordinator: Dr. Nicola Cornally, School of Nursing & Midwifery, n.cornally@ucc.ie Tel No 021 490 1487
Lecturer(s): Staff, School of Nursing & Midwifery.
Duration: 200hr(s) Other (Online Learning: Discussion Board Preparation and Participation, Required Reading, Assignment Preparation and Submission, Self-Directed Learning).
Assessment: Total Marks 200: Continuous Assessment 200 marks (2,000 word Essay - 120 marks; Online activities- 80 marks).
Compulsory Elements: Continuous Assessment.
Fully online module: Delivered online 24 Aug to 2 Oct 2026, including an online orientation.
Practicalities
Requirements
- Applicants must be practising nurses with evidence of current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI)
- Evidence that registration with the NMBI will be complete by the proposed commencement date of the module; Applicants must provide evidence, a letter of support, that they will be working in a critical care environment (for a minimum of 19.5 hours/week); Applicants must provide a letter of support from their respective Director of Nursing and confirmation of having secured a clinical facilitator/preceptor for the duration of the module.
- Applicants for Nursing and Midwifery CPD modules whose main language is not English and who do not hold an up-to-date IELTS certificate showing the requisite Academic Board approved CM&H scores must demonstrate evidence of appropriate work experience within an English language environment for at least the previous 2 years.
- If you are applying with Qualifications obtained outside Ireland and you wish to verify if you meet the minimum academic and English language requirements for this programme please view the grades comparison table by country and for details of recognised English language tests.
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 12 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: Clinical Leadership for Healthcare Quality Improvement NU6306
You can view a CPD Application Guide for all Nursing & Midwifery courses here: /en/ace/helphub/