Cancer Nursing

Established in 1988 at diploma level, the UCD Cancer Nursing programme was the first specialist course in oncology nursing in Ireland. Over the years, hundreds of oncology nurses throughout the country have successfully completed what is now a Graduate Diploma in Cancer Nursing . 

The Graduate Diploma in Cancer Nursing is an academic and clinically based programme designed for students who wish to deepen and broaden their knowledge and expertise in cancer care in order to provide safe, effective and holistic care to people with cancer. There are four strands in this programme (Adult Cancer Nursing, Breast Care Nursing, Children's Cancer Nursing, and Colorectal Nursing). Students undertaking the programme will choose one of these strands. Established in 1988 at diploma level, the UCD Cancer Nursing programme was the first specialist course in oncology nursing in Ireland. Over the years, hundreds of oncology nurses throughout the country have successfully completed what is now a Graduate Diploma in Cancer Nursing.

The programme aims to further develop the practitioner's capacities for caring and competent practice in cancer nursing, so that she/he can continue to provide person-centred care to PABC.

The specific aims of the programme are:

• To build upon and advance the student's repertoire of knowledge, skills, attitudes, and professional values that were developed during his/her undergraduate programme and arising out of his/her experiences in clinical practice.
• To provide the student with the requisite knowledge, skills, attitudes, and professional values for the advancement of his/her role in the care of PABC, including critical analysis, creative thinking, decision making and communication.
• To develop a greater understanding of the theory which underpins cancer nursing practice including theory in the social and behavioural sciences and theory in the biomedical sciences.
• To provide learning experiences that advance the student's professional development and personal growth and experiences that affirm the student's capacity to be a self-directed learner.
• To advance the student's sense of professional awareness, and commitment and a sense of professional responsibility and accountability in cancer nursing.
• To enable the student to value learning as a continuous process and as a necessary process in the context of his/her professional role in cancer nursing.

Course Features

The UCD Cancer Nursing programme offers 4 specific strands: Adult Cancer Nursing strand, Children's Cancer Nursing strand, Breast Care Nursing and Colorectal Nursing. Applicants who apply for the Graduate Diploma have the option of undertaking the programme over one year as a full-time student (full-time programme code is X546) or over two years as a part-time student (part-time programme code is X747). Once accepted onto the programme and having chosen either the full-time or part-time option, applicants will then register for the modules applicable to their strand (speciality). Nurses need to be working in this specialty area prior to and for the duration of the programme.

All the teaching and assessing on the programme is undertaken by tutors/clinicians who have national and/or international clinical expertise in cancer care. Many of the tutors will also have extensive research and teaching expertise.

Supernumerary clinical placements and continuous assessments which are central to the programme encourage and enable students to broaden and deepen their expertise in cancer nursing over the course of the programme.

Possessing a broad and deep understanding of the theory and skills required for caring for patients with cancerous conditions, you will be well positioned to work in a variety of settings specialising in your chosen area both nationally and internationally. As the programme is particularly aimed at preparing nurses to assume the role of clinical nurse specialist, many nurses eventually take up CNS positions and some may undertake further study required for the role of ANP in Adult, Breast, Childrens or Colorectal care. Many nurses also proceed to assume CNM/Educational/Clinical Facilitator roles.

If you are not a UCD student and have not applied previously, you must register before using the system for the first time. You'll find step-by-step instructions on how to apply in our instructions for applicants [pdf] and video tutorial.

If you have already registered you can return to the secure system using the login details you registered with. If you are a current or previous UCD student, please use your UCD student number (the system will pre-populate your personal details and you will not be requested to send transcripts).

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