Cancer Nursing

PgDip
Nursing and midwifery

Course details

Specialist knowledge and skills are an essential component in the multidisciplinary management of oncology patients. This fully accredited one-year part-time programme in Cancer Nursing – delivered in partnership with Beaumont Hospital – is for nurses working in an oncology setting, to help develop their clinical knowledge, judgement and practice to an advanced level.

Course code: C10101

Learning outcomes

This programme will provide you with the skills and knowledge to critically: 

  • Discuss and demonstrate advanced decision-making skills relating to leadership and management in the cancer setting. 
  • Evaluate and utilise advanced knowledge and critical thinking skills relating to the nursing management of the major cancer diseases and side effects. 
  • Discuss and demonstrate advanced clinical decision-making skills to manage patient caseload incorporating nursing interventions and psychosocial aspects. 
  • Discuss and evaluate the nurses role in education and dissemination of knowledge to patients/relatives/staff. 
  • Evaluate the role of the nurse in the primary and secondary prevention of cancer disease incorporating best evidence based practice. 
  • Evaluate and utilise advanced knowledge and critical thinking skills relating to the path physiology/epidemiology/genetic and other risk factors associated with cancer.

Modules

The programme consists of three core modules and three specialist oncology modules and uses a blended learning approach, utilising lectures, clinical placements, reflections Moodle and self-directed learning.

The first three modules are delivered in RCSI with the remaining three modules and clinical component delivered in Beaumont Hospital.  

The programme modules are:

Module name Credits Assessment method
Advanced Research Methods 10 Assignment
Advanced Leadership - Professional & Clinical 10 Assignment
Professional Critical Reflexivity and Competence 10 Assignment and clinical portfolio
Fundamental Concepts of Cancer Nursing 10 Assignment
Major Adult Cancers 10 Examination
Psycho Oncology 10 Case study and poster presentation

Breast Disease and Colorectal Disease modules are offered on a stand-alone basis.