Module: Clinical Practicum 1

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Clinical Practicum 1
Module Code	NUR1126 (ITS: NS5069P)
Faculty	Nursing, PsyT & Comm Health	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	10

Description

This module is a 12-week or 250 hours of clinical practice within the student’s practice area. During this time the student is expected to engage in critical thinking and reflection to enable the integration of theory and practice to support competent, safe, high quality nursing care delivery at an advanced level. The student will gain clinical skills and knowledge in areas including data collection, assessment and therapeutic modalities; leadership and collaborative practice; improving quality and developing nursing practice for the self and others, gaining experience in integration of theory, research and clinical knowledge related to the goals of multidisciplinary health services and systems. Learning is augmented on the module through face-to-face instruction with facilitators.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate competency and autonomy in advanced nursing practice within their practice setting by conducting a comprehensive and systematic patient assessment as a foundation for decision making.
2. Demonstrate competency in nursing practice as set out in the supporting clinical assessment documents.
3. Demonstrate a patient-centered approach to the planning, delivery and evaluation of health care, acting as an advocate for patients, families and caregivers.
4. Use knowledge of illness and disease management to provide evidence-based care to populations, perform risk assessments, and design plan, implement and evaluate programs of care.
5. Critically analyse and implement communication strategies that promote positive inter professional clinical partnerships including the utilizing technical and scientific health information.
6. Demonstrate critical thinking and reflection to enable the integration of theory and practice to support competent, safe, high quality nursing care delivery.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Clinical placement	250	The foremost component of the module will be substantial hours on clinical placement.
Clinical laboratory	10	The student will undertake training in the Clinical Skills Simulation Laboratory throughout the module.
Tutorial	10	One to one and group support for learning in practice
Total Workload: 270

Section Breakdown
CRN	11302	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Siobhan Rothwell	Module Teacher	Kristin Powers Solimani

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	Complete 5 SOAP (Subjective, Objective, Assessment and Planning) Case Studies over the course of the 9 week placement	40%	n/a
Assignment	The student will develop 2 clinical objectives which are identified goals to be achieved during Clinical Practicum 1 Objectives to be discussed with clinical mentor and the student must plan to revisit the objectives at the end of the clinical rotation. To be discussed one time in reflective journal	10%	n/a
Objective structured clinical examination (OSCE)	Faculty will supervise each student performing an OSCE.	40%	n/a
Reflective journal	The student must submit an assignment related to clinical competence relevant to their area of nursing practice.	10%	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

Knowledge, competencies and clinical skills for practice in nursing relevant to the practice area.

The foremost component of the module will be substantial hours on clinical placement (250 hrs).

Students must be deemed competent across all competency indicators to pass this module.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Bickley, L., & Szilagyi, P. G.: 2017, Bates' Guide to Physical Examination and History-Taking, 10th, Wolters Kluwer, Philadelphia, PA, 978-146989341
Griffin Perry, A., Potter, P.A.. & W. Ostendorf: 2016, Clinical Nursing Skills and Techniques, 9th, Elsevier USA, 978-032332740
Melnyk, B and Fineout-Overholt, E: 2015, Evidence Based Practice in Nursing and Healthcare:Guide to Best Practice, 3rd, Wolters Kluwer, Lippincott, Williams, Wilkins, Philadelphia, 9781469855738

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None