This programme comprises of two teaching semesters, Semester 1 (September-December) and Semester 2 (January-May). 

Core modules: 

• NU6610 Decision Making, and Advanced Practice Professional Roles (Year 1, Semester 1)
• NU6311 Advanced Health Assessment (Year 1, Semester 1)
• NU6506 Clinical Practicum (Year 1, Semester 1 and 2)
• NU010.II Professional, Ethical & Legal Issues of Nurse and Midwife Prescribing (Year 1, Semester 2)
• NU2192 Pharmacology, Health and Medicinal Prescribing (Year 1, Semester 2)
• NU012.II Prescribing Competency Assessment (Year 1, Semester 2) 

Entry Requirements 

Please note to be eligible to apply you need to be: 

1. Be registered as a nurse or midwife on the register of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).
2. Have a minimum of an honour’s primary degree in Nursing or equivalent.
3. Be currently employed as a nurse or midwife and in the areas of practice that you plan to undertake you Advance Practice Programme.
4. Applicants must have the support of both a professional mentor (such as a Director of Nursing, Assistant Director of Nursing, or Practice Manager) and a clinical mentor (such as a medical consultant, general practitioner, or Registered Advanced Nurse Practitioner).This includes a commitment to provide 500 hours of clinical mentorship and 96 hours of prescribing mentorship, as confirmed on the completed *Site Declaration Form.
5. Comply with current minimum entry requirements for admission to the programme of education for nurse prescribing. This includes:
   1. Have a minimum of three years’ recent post-registration clinical experience in nursing or midwifery (within the last five years) .
   2. Have equivalent of ‘one year’ full time experience in the specific area of clinical practice that you will be prescribing and practicing in.
   3. Possess the competencies recognised at Level 8 of the National Framework of Qualifications.
   4. Provide evidence of having undertaken continuing professional education. 

     6.  If undertaking the postgraduate diploma in Advanced Practice Nursing, applicants will need to possess a Master’s degree that meets the programme requirements and is recognised at Level 9 of the National Framework of Qualifications. 

*The completed Site Declaration Form provides confirmation by the professional and clinical mentor who will provide supervision, support and learning opportunities, including shadowing opportunities to gain the required competencies and clinical competence to practice at an advanced level. 

• Dual Support Model: Comprehensive academic and clinical support ensures a strong foundation for applying advanced knowledge and skills in real-world healthcare settings.
• Range of modules: Includes modules in advanced health assessment, pharmacology, the professional, ethical and legal issues on prescribing medicinal products, decision making within advanced practice and supervised clinical hours.
• Leader in patient care:  Learn the knowledge and skills to assess, diagnose and treat patients within their clinical setting.
• Strengthen problem-solving abilities: Learn to approach medical and professional challenges critically, using both theoretical and practical perspectives.
• Develop professional expertise: Hone the skills required to succeed in roles, including, developing policies, procedures and guidelines, developing referral pathways and collaborating with the multidisciplinary team.
• Enhance Communication Skills: Learn to effectively present and articulate findings to a range of audiences, within healthcare settings and policymakers such as the Nursing and Midwifery Planning and Development Unit (NMPDU) and the Health Service Executive.  

The advanced nurse practitioner role is highly sought after in both the Health Service Executive (HSE) and private healthcare settings. These roles are expanding in response to healthcare system needs, particularly in rural and community-based services. Registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) as a Registered Advanced Nurse Practitioner (RANP) provides national recognition, improving mobility across healthcare settings and regions. The advanced nurse practitioner role typically offers a competitive salary in comparison to other clinical nurse roles. 

ANPs are employed in a variety of specialist areas, including: 

• Emergency and urgent care
• Chronic disease management (e.g., diabetes, COPD, heart failure)
• Mental health and psychiatry
• Women’s health and gynaecology
• Paediatrics and adolescent care
• Oncology and palliative care
• Community and primary care settings
• Specialist areas such as plastics, gastroenterology, neurology, urology, critical care and other areas. 

With national recognition through RANP registration, graduates also gain access to: 

• Policy and advisory roles in healthcare organisations
• Multidisciplinary leadership positions
• International career opportunities in advanced practice nursing

Graduates of the Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Nursing Practice are well-positioned for a wide range of advanced roles within the healthcare system. Many go on to become leaders in clinical practice, education, and research. Also, some Advanced Nurse Practitioners, having already completed a Master’s degree, have progressed to doctoral-level study (PhD) and secured roles as lecturers, researchers, and academic leaders within third-level institutions. 

Clinical placement 

As part of the entry requirements (as above), applicants will be working in the clinical area in which they plan to become an advanced nurse practitioner. As part of the programme requirements and in line with the NMBI standards (2017), applicants will have to complete 500 supervised clinical hours with their designated clinical mentor. In addition, applicants will have to complete 96 supervised clinical hours relating prescribing medicinal products. 

Ultimately, the clinical placement component of the programme plays a critical role in preparing graduates to meet the demands of a dynamic and evolving sector. The clinical component of the programme enables students to apply and further develop their advanced knowledge and skills in real-world settings, ultimately preparing them to become competent and confident Advanced Nurse Practitioners. The clinical area encourages reflection and learning, with support from academic and clinical mentors who help students connect their work-based learning to their broader educational goals.

Accrediting Body 

This programme meets the national standards (NMBI 2017) and is approved by NMBI.  

Following successfully completion of this programme, graduates are eligible to register with NMBI as a Advanced Nurse Practitioner. 

• Dr Lisa Glynn
• Dr Collette Kirwan
• Ms Heather Helen
• Professor John Kelly
• Mr Bernard McCarthy
• Ms Sinead Hahessy
• Ms Naomi Davis

The Postgraduate Diploma (Advanced Practice Nursing) combines innovative teaching methods with practical, hands-on learning to ensure a comprehensive educational experience. You will learn through a mix of interactive lectures, seminars, workshops, patient-based scenario simulations led by expert faculty. In addition, you will learn through peer learning, small group learning and experiential learning.  

Group projects and collaborative activities will enhance your teamwork and communication skills, while individual assignments will help you to develop independence and critical thinking. The patient-based scenarios simulations will develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills to determine the overall diagnosis and treatment for each scenario. 

Throughout the programme, you will have access to cutting-edge resources, including industry-standard software and real-world datasets, to support your learning and professional growth.

How Will I Be Assessed? 

Each module is assessed independently. Strategies for assessment include assignments, interactive oral assessment, blogs, multiple choice questions, oral presentations, patient-based scenario simulations, continuous assessment and clinical competency assessments. 

Dr Lisa Glynn 

Assistant Professor in General Nursing
School of Nursing and Midwifery 
College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences 

E: lisa.l.glynn@universityofgalway.ie

University of Galway recognises that knowledge and skills can be acquired from a range of learning experiences. This is in line with the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) goals which aim to recognise all learning achievements by supporting the development of alternative pathways to qualifications (or awards) and by facilitating the recognition of prior learning (RPL). 

RPL will be awarded to candidates who provide evidence of having completed comparable modules included in this programme.

Please note to be eligible to apply you need to be: 

1. Be registered as a nurse or midwife on the register of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).
2. Have a minimum of an honour’s primary degree in Nursing or equivalent.
3. Be currently employed as a nurse or midwife and in the areas of practice that you plan to undertake you Advance Practice Programme.
4. Applicants must have the support of both a professional mentor (such as a Director of Nursing, Assistant Director of Nursing, or Practice Manager) and a clinical mentor (such as a medical consultant, general practitioner, or Registered Advanced Nurse Practitioner).This includes a commitment to provide 500 hours of clinical mentorship and 96 hours of prescribing mentorship, as confirmed on the completed *Site Declaration Form.
5. Comply with current minimum entry requirements for admission to the programme of education for nurse prescribing. This includes:
   1. Have a minimum of three years’ recent post-registration clinical experience in nursing or midwifery (within the last five years) 
   2. Have equivalent of ‘one year’ full time experience in the specific area of clinical practice that you will be prescribing and practicing in
   3. Possess the competencies recognised at Level 8 of the National Framework of Qualifications.
   4. Provide evidence of having undertaken continuing professional education. 

     6.  If undertaking the postgraduate diploma in Advanced Practice Nursing, applicants will need to possess a Master’s degree that meets the programme requirements and is recognised at Level 9 of the National Framework of Qualifications. 

*The completed Site Declaration Form provides confirmation by the professional and clinical mentor who will provide supervision, support and learning opportunities, including shadowing opportunities to gain the required competencies and clinical competence to practice at an advanced level. 

You can apply online to the University of Galway application portal here.  

Please review the entry requirements set out in the section above.  

You will be required to upload supporting documentation to your application electronically. See the section above on entry requirements for further information on the supporting documentation required for this course.  

Closing Dates 

For this programme, June 30th 2026 is the closing date for receipt of applications.  

Notes 

• You will need an active email account to use the website and you'll be guided through the system, step by step, until you complete the online form.
• Browse the FAQ's section for further guidance.  

Fees for Academic Year 2025/2026

For 25/26 entrants, where the course duration is greater than 1 year, there is an inflationary increase approved of 3.4% per annum for continuing years fees.

Postgraduate students in receipt of a SUSI grant – please note an F4 grant is where SUSI will pay €4,000 towards your tuition (2025/26).  You will be liable for the remainder of the total fee.  A P1 grant is where SUSI will pay tuition up to a maximum of €6,270. SUSI will not cover the student levy of €140.

Note to non-EU students: learn about the 24-month Stayback Visa here.