The Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Nursing Studies for Clinical Practice is a 60-credit, NFQ Level 8 add-on degree tailored specifically for qualified, registered nurses seeking to upgrade their academic credentials to honours degree level. Structured around six core 10-credit modules, the programme deepens clinical reasoning, evidence-based decision-making, and healthcare leadership capabilities. With flexible entry pathways accommodating varying academic backgrounds, the course enables working healthcare professionals to enhance their clinical practice, meet evolving health service demands, and position themselves for advanced clinical or managerial roles.
Practical Learning & Flexible Entry Pathways
The programme offers accessible academic pathways and directly integrates higher-level theory into clinical practice:
Dual Entry Pathways: Offers direct admission for qualified nurses holding an NFQ Level 7 Diploma in Nursing, alongside a dedicated Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) pathway for candidates who require non-standard entry based on professional experience and prior learning.
Practice-Focused Integration: Designed for working nurses, allowing students to synthesize theoretical coursework directly with daily clinical decision-making and patient care delivery.
Professional Skill Elevation: Builds critical reflective capabilities, research literacy, and healthcare leadership directly applicable across acute, community, and specialized care settings.
Coursework
The 60-credit Level 8 curriculum consists of six mandatory 10-credit modules focused on advanced clinical practice and research:
Evidence-Based Practice & Research Methods: Critical evaluation of healthcare literature, research design, and translating empirical evidence into clinical care protocols.
Clinical Leadership & Management: Healthcare governance, multidisciplinary team leadership, decision-making, and quality improvement in clinical settings.
Advanced Clinical Assessment & Reasoning: Enhancing diagnostic reasoning, patient assessment, and decision-making for complex clinical cases.
Healthcare Policy & Ethics: Analysing health service delivery frameworks, legal principles, contemporary bioethics, and patient advocacy.
Pathophysiology & Pharmacology in Practice: Deepening knowledge of disease mechanisms, pharmacological interventions, and therapeutic monitoring.
Quality Improvement & Patient Safety: Principles of clinical audit, risk management, patient safety frameworks, and continuous service delivery enhancement.
Career Opportunities
Graduates earn a prestigious Level 8 honours degree that strengthens their professional standing and unlocks career progression across hospital, community, and private healthcare sectors:
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) / Advanced Practice Pathways
Direct Academic Progression to Postgraduate Diplomas, Master’s Degrees (MSc in Nursing / Healthcare Management), and Doctoral Studies
Upon completion of the six modules, graduates hold the research competence, theoretical grounding, and accredited Level 8 qualification required to lead high-quality clinical care and advance into senior nursing roles.
Online application is not available for this programme.
An application pack is available from Department of Nursing, School of Health Sciences.
Nursing Studies for Clinical Practice Entry Requirements
Registered as a nurse on any part of the register maintained by NMBI
Completion of (Level 7 or RPL requirements) or Diploma of Higher Education in nursing or equivalent
Previous credits at Level 8 or equivalent can be considered through RPL
Currently employed in a health/social care setting for a minimum of 12 hours per week (excluding agency nursing)
How to apply
An application pack is available from Department of Nursing, School of Health Sciences and the deadline each year is the last week in May.
Universally Irish nurses are highly regarded in other countries thus enhancing work opportunities. Graduates who wish to pursue a Masters in Science in Nursing may apply to the Department of Nursing, School of Health Sciences.
