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Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title Contemporary Issues
Module Code NUR1064 (ITS: NS4017)
Faculty Nursing, PsyT & Comm Health School Science & Health
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 10
Description

The aim of this module is to consolidate the student’s learning from the previous three years and to prepare them for their internship. Students will have the opportunity to critically examine and respond to current trends in the care of people with intellectual disabilities across the lifespan and within a variety of settings. Particular attention is given to the unique contribution of intellectual disability nursing within health and social care.

Learning Outcomes

1. Domain 1: Professional values and conduct of the nurse competences Knowledge and appreciation of the virtues of caring, compassion, integrity, honesty, respect and empathy as a basis for upholding the professional values of nursing and identity as a nurse.
2. Domain 2: Nursing practice and clinical decision making competences Knowledge and understanding of the principles of delivering safe and effective nursing care through the adoption of a systematic and problem-solving approach to developing and delivering a person-centred plan of care based on an explicit partnership with the person and his/her primary carer.
3. Domain 3: Knowledge and cognitive competences Knowledge and understanding of the health continuum, life and behavioural sciences and their applied principles that underpin a competent knowledge base for nursing and healthcare practice.
4. Domain 4: Communication and inter personal competences Knowledge, appreciation and development of empathic communication skills and techniques for effective interpersonal relationships with people and other professionals in health care settings.
5. Domain 5: Management and team competences Using management and team competences in working for the person’s wellbeing, recovery, independence and safety through recognition of the collaborative partnership between the person, family and multidisciplinary health care team.
6. Domain 6: Leadership potential and professional scholarship competences Developing professional scholarship through self-directed learning skills, critical questioning/ reasoning skills and decision-making skills in nursing as the foundation for lifelong professional education, maintaining competency and career development.


WorkloadFull time hours per semester
TypeHoursDescription
Lecture28Lectures
Laboratory18clinical nursing skills
Independent Study154student self direction
Online activity10Accessing materials on Loop, HSeLand e-learning
Group work40Teaching a clinical skill video and teaching plan
Total Workload: 250
Section Breakdown
CRN11267Part of TermSemester 1
Coursework0%Examination Weight0%
Grade Scale40PASSPass Both ElementsY
Resit CategoryRC1Best MarkN
Module Co-ordinatorMartina ConwayModule TeacherMichael Mckeon
Assessment Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
AssignmentClinical skills teaching video and written assignment100%n/a
Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
RC1: A resit is available for both* components of the module.
RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module.
RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element.

* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Contemporary issues
Intellectual disability contemporary issues including: Healthcare trends, advocacy, person-centred practice, HIQA standards, models of living, social inclusion, Disability Quality Improvement.

Clinical Topics
Consolidate clinical skills knowledge; teaching clinical skills to junior colleagues

Health in Intellectual Disability
Explore access and barriers to healthcare, hospital passports, reasonable adjustments, cancer care, Sepsis signs and symptoms, role of the Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP) and the Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS).

The future development of intellectual disability nursing
Future trends in intellectual disability nursing. Career pathways.

Personal Development, a key to professional development
The importance of personal, and professional development over the course of their professional career, raising concerns, interdisciplinary working, working with families and carers.

Models of learning and service change.
Ways of learning in practice, HSE change management, negotiation skills.

Preparing for the Internship
Preparing for the internship/practice placements, policy and legal issues, organisation and administration, leadership skills, person-centred cultures of care.

Indicative Reading List

Books:
  • Doody, O., McMahon, J., Lyons, R., Moloney, M., Hennessy T. and Ryan, R.,: 2021, Presenting problem/conditions which result in people with an intellectual disability being admitted to acute hospitals, Health Service Executive, Limerick, 9781911620280
  • McCormack, B., McCance, T., Bulley C., Brown , D., McMillan, A ., Martin, S.: 2021, Fundamentals of Person-Centred HealthCare Practice, 1st, WILEY BLACKWEL, London, 9781119533085
  • McKimm Swanick,: 2010, Clinical Teaching Made Easy, Quay Books, 978-1856424080
  • Moulster G, Iorizzo J, Ames S & Kernohan J: 2019, The Moulster and Griffiths Learning Diisability Nursing Model, Jessica Kintgsley Publishers,
  • Northway , R., and Hopes, P.,: 2022, Learning Disability Nursing, 1st, Section 1, 2 & 3, Critical publishing, Great Britain, 9781914171352
  • The Regulatory and Quality Improvement Authority: 2018, Guidelines on Caring for People with a Learning Disability in General Hospital Settings,, The Regulatory and Quality Improvement Authority, Belfast,
  • Whitehead. B. & Brown. M.: 2017, Transition to Nursing: Preparation for Practice, Open University Press,
  • Wilson, B., Woodlands, A., Barrett, D.: 2019, Care Planning A guide for Nurses,, 3rd, Routledge, Oxon, UK, 97811386421]


Articles:
  • Cavanagh, D.E., Northway, R., Todd, S.: 2024, Annual health checks for people with intellectual disabilities: An exploration of experiences, follow-up and self-management of health conditions, Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 37 (3),, 12, https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jar.13233?saml_referrer, 522190
  • 2021: Signs and symptoms of sepsis: raising awareness in the learning disability community, Learning Disability Practice, 24 (2), 37, https://www.proquest.com/docview/2513377268?sourcetype=Scholarly%20Journals, 522210, 1
  • Ensuring effective communication when undertaking a systematic health assessment.: Learning Disability Practice., May 2023, 10.7748/ldp.2023.e2197, 522191, 1, Ní Riain M., and Wickham, S.,
  • Journal of Intellectual Disability,: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37499117/,
Other Resources

None

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