Diabetes (Nursing) (MHSc/PDipHSc)

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Course Overview
Key Facts
Course Outline
Why Choose This Course?
Course Fees
Find Out More

Course Overview

Diabetes is a global health emergency with over 600 million people expected to have the condition by 2030, representing 10% of the world’s population. Therefore the World Health Organisation (WHO) has classed diabetes as an epidemic requiring urgent action for both prevention and management. This has been echoed in Irelands Health Service Executive national policy and clinical strategy for diabetes. It is a chronic metabolic condition that can cause significant cardiovascular morbidity and mortality if not managed correctly. Central to this management is controlling key physiological indices such as blood sugar, blood pressure and blood lipid levels, as well as promoting health behaviours such as regular exercise, healthy eating and not smoking. Unfortunately achieving these biological targets and lifestyle goals is extremely challenging. Therefore given its growing prevalence and resulting impact on health care resources, there is an urgent need to provide specialist training in diabetes for clinicians and in particular nurses who are an integral part of the Diabetes Multidisciplinary Team.

Learning outcomes

Demonstrate ethically sound decision making in relation to the care of patients living with diabetes
Demonstrate evidence based knowledge and skills in the care of patients with diabetes
Demonstrate the ability to contribute to the professional body of knowledge related to diabetes
Advocate with other health care professionals for patients with diabetes
Assess risk and promote a safe environment and quality patient care
Contribute in multidisciplinary team planning
Contribute to the multidisciplinary team in the delivery of quality care for patients with diabetes

Scholarships available
Find out about our Postgraduate Scholarships here.

Applications and Selections

Applications are made online via the University of Galway Postgraduate Applications System.

All prospective candidates will be interviewed by telephone or Skype. Selection will be made by the program director in consultation with the head of school, on the basis of the applicant’s written application. To be considered for admission to the programme, applicants must meet the admission criteria outlined above. Applicants will be evaluated on the:

Applicant’s academic record
Applicant’s level of motivation and suitability based on his/her Personal Statement (submitted as part of the application)

Medical Diabetes Master’s
Please note, if you are interested in pursuing the Medical Diabetes Master’s, click here.

Who Teaches this Course

In addition to the faculty of the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences (CMNHS), the Programme Board for the Masters of Health Sciences Diabetes play an active role in teaching on this course including:

Programme Director:
Dr Maura Dowling, Senior Lecturer, School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Galway

Programme Board:
Ms Helen Burke, ANP Diabetes, University Hospital Galway, HSE
Dr Maura Dowling, Senior Lecturer, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Galway
Professor Sean Dinneen, HSE Clinical Lead Diabetes, Consultant Endocrinologist UHG
Dr Eva Flynn, General Practitioner, Lecturer, School of Medicine, University of Galway

Requirements and Assessment

Documentation required to complete application

A copy of current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland
Copies of academic transcripts from completed educational courses
Copies of official awards (parchments) from completed educational courses
Written commitment/memo of understanding or equivalent from the director of nursing/employer to support the student during the clinical practicum

The programme is delivered using a blended learning format, combining on-line learning and face-to-face workshops. In addition this course has a core clinical requirement. The course assessments therefore reflect this approach by using a combination of continuous assessment through examining the students’ online e-tivities, traditional essays, formal module exams, clinical portfolio review and assigned project activities.

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

To be considered for entry to the programme applicants must meet the following entry requirements:

be registontered as a general nurse
hold an active general nursing registration
have a minimum of one year’s post-registration experience

Applicants who do not hold an honours degree or postgraduate diploma (Level 9) may apply but must clearly demonstrate their capacity to complete a programme at this level, and must successfully undertake a minimum of one 10ECTS module (Level 9) offered as a Professional Credit Award.

Candidates coming to Ireland from abroad or who do not have a degree from Ireland or the UK will be asked to provide evidence of an acceptable result in one of the recognized English language proficiency tests, e.g., IELTS total score of 6.5.

Additional Requirements

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Duration

2 years, full-time (MHSc); 1 year, full-time (PDip)

Next start date

September 2025

A Level Grades ()

Average intake

QQI/FET FETAC Entry Routes

Closing Date

No set closing date. Offers made on a continuous basis

NFQ level

Mode of study

ECTS weighting

Award

CAO

Course code

MHSC-DIN; PGD-DIN

Course Outline

This programme aims to prepare nurses to effectively contribute to diabetes nursing practice. The essence of diabetes nursing is the provision of individualised care to patients with diabetes. Caring for patients with diabetes requires nurses to have specialist knowledge and skills that meet the physical, psychological, mental and social needs of patients and their relatives. The multi-faceted nature of nursing in diabetes care settings encompasses the whole spectrum of care, from prevention to diagnosis to treatment and chronic disease management and this course encompasses that ethos.

The course is delivered through blended learning (online content and face to face workshops), with an attendance requirement of approximately 10 days per 4 month semester (please note some workshops may be scheduled at weekends).

Year 1 is theoretical-/clinical-based and represents 60 ECTS credits which is equivalent to a Postgraduate Diploma Diabetes at completion (which students can exit with, if they wish, at the end of Year 1). Year 2 is research thesis based which builds on the knowledge and skills learned in Year 1 and represents 30 ECTS credits, thus providing a total of 90 ECTS (Year 1 & 2) which is the requirement for the awarding of a Masters Health Sciences Diabetes.

Semester 1
GPN10: Diabetes (10 ECTS)
NU623: Clinical Governance: Supporting Safe Practice (10 ECTS)
NU605: Recognising & Responding to Client Deterioration (10 ECTS)
NU921: Clinical Competence 1 (0 ECTS)

Semester 2
NU502: Advanced Research Methods (10 ECTS)
NU6439: Service Improvement (10 ECTS)
PO5101: Management of Diabetic Foot disease
NU922: Clinical Competence 2 (0 ECTS)

(Optional exit opportunity with PDip Diabetes or continue on for MHSc Diabetes.)

Year 2

Semester 1 & Semester 2
NU6515: Research Dissertation (30 ECTS)

Students’ clinical competency will be assessed by a practice portfolio (submitted end of Year 1 Semester 2). Students also complete practice focused assignments throughout the whole of Year 1 programme [September to June]. In order to be eligible for the award of the Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing (Diabetes) students must pass each module at 40% and pass the clinical practice portfolio.

The clinical practice component forms an integral part of the programme. Students are required to attain at least 1,000 hours specialist practice experience of working and caring for patients with diabetes in a variety of environments over the programme. This includes consolidating the experiences and opportunities that are available in their own clinical environments. The student will be expected to engage in the assessment, planning, delivery and evaluation of care to patients with diabetes with the support of designated preceptor agreed on with the programme director. To successfully meet the requirements of 1,000 hours of practice, the student will be required to work, for the duration of the first year of the programme, within practice settings that manage care for diabetes patients. If required, it may be possible to arrange clinical placements with the Diabetes Service at the University Hospital Galway which will cover the full spectrum of Diabetes Care.

Why Choose This Course?

Career Opportunities

On completion of the Postgraduate Diploma/Master of Health Sciences Diabetes, which are Level 9 NFQ awards, a registered nurse would be eligible to apply for clinical nurse specialist registration in diabetes. Please note that this course is accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).

Who’s Suited to This Course

Learning Outcomes

Transferable Skills Employers Value

By the end of this course, students are expected to aqcuire the following skills:

Developed skills needed for sustained practice reflection.
Enhanced skills in the area of problem solving through engagement with challenging clinical scenarios
Enhanced students’ skills in research, communication, and innovative thinking.
Communicated in a clear and persuasive manner, while listening to others and understanding different points of view