Module: Practice Module 1

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Practice Module 1
Module Code	NUR1097 (ITS: NS4526)
Faculty	Nursing, PsyT & Comm Health	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	15

Description

The purpose of this practice placement module is to introduce the student to the practice area. The student's expected role is to participate in nursing care of children in a child-focused and family-centred context at an appropriate level. The student will develop nursing knowledge and skills in caring for the child in partnership with the family and a range of health care professionals in a variety of healthcare settings. Support on this module will be provided by clinical education facilitators, preceptors, qualified nursing staff and the module coordinator. It also aims to develop confidence and independence in nursing care decisions regarding the child and the family and to ensure quality care delivery within scope of practice. The student should exercise personal initiative in planning learning outcomes. The module also provides the student with the opportunity to link theory to practice.

Learning Outcomes

1. Use evidence based practice to inform and support nursing care of children and families in a variety heathcare settings.
2. Display a variety of communication strategies with the child and family appropriate to the clinical setting.
3. Demonstrate competence in clinical nursing skills within their scope of practice.
4. Respond to the developmental needs of the children in their care.
5. Demonstrate confidence and independence (within scope of practice) in nursing care decisions regarding the child and family to ensure quality care delivery.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	2	Introduce students to practice assessment documentation.
Clinical placement	675	Students must attend 100% of their practice placement to successfully pass the placement/module. Students must attend a minimum of 80% of their practice placement to undertake a practice assessment (NCAD)
Total Workload: 677

Section Breakdown
CRN	21282	Part of Term	Semester 2 & 3
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	PLACEMENT	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Sara Raftery Linehan	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Professional Portfolio	There are two aspects both of which are required: 1. Portfolio consisting of National Clinical Assessment Document (NCAD) for each placement 2. 100% attendance in clinical placement	100%	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

Delivery of Child Focused and Family Centred Care
Assess, plan, implement and evaluate the nursing care provided to the child and his/her family.

Maintain a safe environment
Students will engage in safe nursing practice as a core element of quality patient care.

Communication
Communicate effectively with child, families and other members of the multidisciplinary team. Age appropriate and culturally sensitive communication skills will be developed.

Policies and Procedures
Students will adhere to local policies and procedures relevant to area of practice.

Specialist Practice
Participate with specialist nurse / midwife / public health nurse in delivery of specialist care. Observe and question the specialist nurse / midwife about what they do and why they do it.

Reflectice Practice
Reflect upon care given to child and families and outcomes of care. Reflect upon their own feelings when faced with individuals with healthcare needs.

Health Education and Promotion
Participate in health education and promotion activities relevant to the practice setting.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Elizabeth Bruce,Janet Williss,Faith Gibson: 2023, The Great Ormond Street Hospital Manual of Children and Young People's Nursing Practices, 2nd, John Wiley & Sons, 839, 1118898222
Dr Thomas Keenan, Subhadra Evans,: 2009, An Introduction to Child Development, 2nd, 978-1-4129-1114-6

Articles:
None

Other Resources

1: NMBI, 2020, Guidance for Registered Nurses and Midwives on Medication Administration, NMBI
419434: 1, NMBI, 2025, NMBI Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics for Registered Nurses and Registered Midwives,
https://www.nmbi.ie/Publications/Standards-and-Guidance: 419435, 1, NMBI, 2025, Guidelines on Ethical Standards and Behaviours for Student Nurses and Student Midwives on the NMBI Candidate Register
NMBI: https://www.nmbi.ie/NMBI/media/NMBI/Guidelines-on-Ethical-Standards-and-Behaviours-for-Student-Nurses-and-Student-Midwives.pdf?ext=.pdf,