University of Galway

Overview

Advanced Practice Nursing is a Master’s program tailored for experienced registered nurses seeking to enhance their clinical assessment, decision-making, and prescribing competencies for roles as Advanced Nurse Practitioners. This program integrates academic learning with a structured clinical practicum and mentorship, fostering safe, evidence-based practice in real-world healthcare environments.

• Award: Master of Advanced Practice Nursing
• Delivery: Blended learning format complemented by a structured clinical practicum
• Academic focus: Advanced health assessment, clinical decision-making, pharmacology and medicinal prescribing, leadership and governance, and advanced research methods
• Clinical component: Supervised clinical practicum supported by professional and clinical mentors
• Language of instruction: English
• Entry pathway: Designed for registered nurses advancing to advanced practice roles
• Credits & duration: Refer to the program page for specific details on duration and credit weighting

What you'll study

The program is designed to equip students with advanced practice knowledge and skills through a combination of taught modules and a supervised clinical practicum.

• Decision Making, Nursing and Advanced Practice Professional Roles
• Leadership, Quality Improvement and Governance
• Advanced Research Methods
• Advanced Health Assessment
• Pharmacology, Health and Medicinal Prescribing
• Clinical Practicum (conducted in your practice setting with mentorship and supervision)

Assessment: Evaluation methods include academic assignments and practice-based learning activities aligned with advanced practice competencies, with specific formats and weighting detailed by the program team.

Clinical mentorship: The practicum experience is supported by professional and clinical mentors, requiring evidence of clinical mentorship hours for both entry and progression.

Entry requirements

Academic and professional entry

• Registered as a nurse or midwife on the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) register.
• Possess a minimum honours primary degree in Nursing or an equivalent qualification.
• Currently employed as a nurse or midwife in the relevant practice area for the Advanced Practice Programme.
• Have support for clinical learning from:
  • a Professional Mentor (e.g., Director of Nursing, Assistant Director of Nursing, or Practice Manager), and
  • a Clinical Mentor (e.g., medical consultant or general practitioner),
  including proof of 500 hours of clinical mentorship through a completed Site Declaration Form.

English language requirements

• IELTS: minimum 6.5 (overall), or
• TOEFL iBT: minimum scores as specified by the program.

Career prospects

Graduates of the Advanced Practice Nursing program are well-equipped to pursue advanced clinical roles in various healthcare settings. They may undertake positions as Advanced Nurse Practitioners, clinical leaders, educators, or researchers, contributing significantly to patient care and health outcomes.