University of Galway

Overview

The Children's Palliative Care – Complex Care programme at the University of Galway is tailored for Registered Nurses dedicated to caring for children and adolescents facing life-limiting or complex conditions. This comprehensive course integrates evidence-based teaching with practical clinical experience, equipping students with essential skills in symptom management, family-centered care, and safe practice.

What you'll study

The programme spans two academic years, combining taught modules with supervised clinical learning to enhance your expertise in children's palliative care.

• Year 1: Students complete six modules, including:
• Quality of Life and Symptom Management in Children’s Palliative / Complex Care
• Service Improvement
• Clinical Governance: Supporting Safe Practice
• Care of the Child & Family with Palliative / Complex Needs
• Specialist Understanding of Complex Care for Children
• Additional Year 1 module(s) as per the curriculum
• Year 2: This year builds on the themes explored in Year 1, with advanced studies and continued clinical application in a relevant care setting.

The clinical component requires a minimum of 1,000 hours of practice in children's palliative care, ensuring that students gain vital hands-on experience throughout the programme.

Entry requirements

• An Honours Bachelor’s degree at NFQ Level 8 in nursing or a comparable qualification
• Registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland in one of the relevant divisions
• A minimum of one year’s post-registration experience (excluding post-registration courses)
• Current employment in a relevant specialist area related to palliative or children's care
• A minimum of six months’ clinical experience in the specialist area
• Written support from your employer confirming access to the client group during the programme
• For non-native English speakers, proof of English language proficiency

Career prospects