Master/PDip in Health Sciences (Gerontology)

This programme is for all nurses caring for older people in acute, community or long-term care settings. The programme recognises the need to enable and empower people to age with confidence, security and dignity. It also acknowledges the need for gerontological nurses to attain postgraduate specialist knowledge, skill and competence to effectively work with older people to achieve their individual goals and ambitions about their personal health and wellness. The programme aims to equip nurses with the broad skills needed to meet the needs of older persons across a wide variety of settings acknowledging older people as valuable active citizens who deserve the support and empowerment of service provision to enact a fulfilled life.
SPECIAL FEATURES
The course has a clinical focus, offering opportunities to develop specialist skills in gerontological nursing. The programme is offered through a blended learning formata combination of online and face-to-face learning and teaching. Blended learning is an innovative and flexible approach to learning, making it possible to combine working full-time with studying. This course is approved by The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland.
Career Opportunities
Graduates have found employment and promotion opportunities nationally and internationally in service and care provision to older persons in the acute, long term residential and community healthcare sectors.

Be a registered nurse on the General Nurse or Psychiatric or Intellectual Disability division of the register maintained by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI),
Have a minimum of one year of post-registration experience (exclusive of post-registration courses),
Be currently employed as a nurse in a setting where he/she has opportunities to care for older people and have a minimum of 6 months experience in this specific clinical setting.
Satisfy the selection panel of ability to complete the programme,
Provide written evidence of support from their Director of Nursing and Clinical Unit Manager guaranteeing practice placement in a setting where he/she has an opportunity to care for older person patients/clients in an appropriate setting for the duration mof the programme, or where necessary, agreement that the applicant will be freed to undertake additional practice in a suitable placement setting
Have an honours bachelor's degree at NFQ Level 8 in nursing or a comparable qualification. Applicants who do not hold an Honours degree or Higher Diploma (Level 8) or Postgraduate Diploma (Level 9) must demonstrate that they have successfully completed (in the previous four years) a module at Level 9. Please consult the professional credit awards at Level 9 at: www.universityofgalway.ie/pca/pca.html.
Provide the following supporting documentation on application:
A copy of your current NMBI registration
Copies of your academic transcripts from completed educational courses
Copies of your official awards (parchments) from completed educational courses

IELTS - 6.5 overall no less than 6.5 in any one component.
TOEFL IBT - 88 overall 20-23 Listening, 20-22 Speaking, 24-26 Writing, 19-23 Reading