PgCert in Medical Nursing
€3,565
Enhance your knowledge of a range of issues related to care of the medical patient.
Postgraduate Certificate
6 months
Online - Part-time
30 ECTS
January 2026
About
Advance your theoretical knowledge and develop a critical and questioning approach as you explore a range of issues relevant to the care of the medical patient with RCSI School of Nursing and Midwifery.
This programme allows you to choose three modules across a broad range of specialist areas including infection prevention and control, respiratory and gerontology resulting in a bespoke programme to meet the needs of the individual nurse. The programme is delivered part-time via an active blended learning approach including self-directed learning and live online classes approximately once every week.
Further support is provided through the module lead, programme director and regular online drop-in sessions.
The award title for this course is Postgraduate Certificate Nursing (Medical Nursing).
This course is a Level 9 award on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications.
Design a programme to meet your specific needs
Demonstrate a critical understanding of a comprehensive range of evidence-based knowledge in the field of medical nursing
Explore contemporary issues in medical nursing
Suitable for
This programme is suitable for nurses and healthcare professionals with an interest in medical nursing.
What you will learn
Faculty highlight
Biography
Dr Hannah Wilson
Dr Wilson's PhD research focused on advancing technology for the early detection of pressure ulcers. Dr Wilson joined the RCSI School of Nursing and Midwifery, Skin Wounds and Trauma research team in 2023 as StAR Research Lecturer in Nursing and Tissue Viability. Her clinical experience is in cardiology nursing, research and management.
Find out more
Course information
This programme will provide you with the skills and knowledge to:
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of a comprehensive range of knowledge in the specialist area.
- Articulate a critical awareness of the latest evidence-based knowledge in the specialist area.
- Demonstrate a range of research and specialist knowledge and skills to the specialist area of clinical practice.
- Select from a broad range of specialist skills and knowledge in the specialist area.
- Act in a comprehensive and often unpredictable variety of professional and ill-defined contexts in the specialist area.
- Take significant responsibility for the work of individuals and groups and lead and initiate activity in the specialist area.
- Critically self-evaluate professional and personal learning needs and those of others within your specialist area of practice and link to related continuing professional development requirements.
- Present a reflective and questioning approach to specialist practice delivery and exhibit professional application of your knowledge in an accountable, responsible and evidence-based manner.
Students choose three modules from the following, each worth 10 ECTS:
- Managing the Deteriorating Patient.
- Principles of Infection Prevention and Control.
- Health Promotion and Behavioural Science.
- Advanced Concepts in Wound Management and Tissue Viability.
- Biopsychosocial Perspectives of Older Persons: A Person-Centred Model of Care.
- Dementia and Mental Health Disorders in Older Adults.
- Contemporary Issues, Legislation and Quality Improvement in Older Persons Services.
- Legislation and Quality Improvement in Older Persons Services.
- Biological Science and Patient Assessment in Respiratory Care.
- Enhanced Care of the Respiratory Patient New Module.
- Critical Issues in the Assessment and Management of Individuals with Leg Ulceration and Lymphoedema.
- Critical Issues in the Assessment and Management of Individuals with Pressure Ulcers and Diabetic Foot Ulcers.
- The Microbiological Basis for Infection Control.
Please note: The availability of these modules will be timetable dependent.
Upon the successful completion of this programme, students can progress to a postgraduate diploma.
The programme will begin in September each year.
This programme is assessed through a range of assessment modalities.
All programmes offered by the School of Nursing and Midwifery are accredited by RCSI, the National University of Ireland and the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland. Recognition by bodies in other jurisdictions must be determined by individual applicants.
Admissions
To be eligible for the programme you must:
- Hold an NFQ Level 8 qualification. However, applicants who do not hold a Level 8 qualification may still be eligible to join the programme through our supported-entry pathway programme. This is subject to an assessment of prior learning and experience.
- Have an active registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland or other registration in a country in which they are practicing if international students.
If you do not meet the minimum academic requirements above, you may still be eligible to apply through recognition of prior learning (RPL). RPL is the assessment of knowledge, skills and competence previously acquired.
Learning occurs in many contexts which include work, involvement in social and community activities, or learning through life experience generally. RPL does not give credit for experience as such; rather it considers the learning that was acquired as a result of the experience.
RPL may be used to gain:
- Admission to courses/programmes where a person may not have obtained the standard entry requirements.
- Exemptions from course modules which duplicate the learning outcomes an individual has already demonstrably acquired through prior learning.
English language requirements for RCSI Postgraduate programmes are published here.
If you have completed undergraduate/postgraduate full-time studies in the medium of the English language (three or more years cumulatively) or are registered with the NMBI, you are exempt from these requirements.
The fees for this programme are €3,565.
Please note:
- Fees include the €45 NUI fee.
- There is an additional application fee of €50 which is non-refundable.
- Fees are subject to review annually.
- Fees can be paid by bank transfer. Full details on fee payment will be emailed to you before the commencement of your programme.
- You can pay your fees in two equal instalments – one payment of 50% is due before you commence the programme, and the remaining payment is due at the midway point of the programme.
- If you meet the criteria for a non-EU student, please contact us for more information on fee payments at tel: +353 1 402 2445 or email: nursing@rcsi.ie.
Please view our Postgraduate fees policy for more information.
Sponsored students
If your study is sponsored by your employer, you will be required to upload written confirmation of your sponsorship when accepting your programme offer. You will be unable to accept your offer until confirmation of sponsorship is received or a payment is made.
How to apply
Applications for this programme are currently closed.
For guidance or further information, please contact nursing@rcsi.com.