Module: Children with Complex Healthcare Needs D

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Children with Complex Healthcare Needs D
Module Code	NUR1220 (ITS: NS4038)
Faculty	Nursing, PsyT & Comm Health	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

This module aims to enable students will develop a critical understanding of the care of children with ongoing healthcare needs in a variety of settings. The aim of this module is to enable students to develop a critical understanding and critical knowledge base of the requirements of children with complex healthcare needs related to renal and endocrine conditions, child and adolescent mental health, and childhood disability. The module also aims to develop and expand the skills and knowledge required to assess, plan and deliver evidence based care to the child with these complex health care needs.

Learning Outcomes

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	30	32
Tutorial	4	Assessment preparation
Independent Study	89	No Description
Class Presentation	2	In class test 2 hours
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	21458	Part of Term	Semester 2 & 3
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Lisa McIlmurray	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
In Class Test	In class test 2 hours	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

The nature of disease and pathophysiological changes in the child and young person with ongoing healthcare needs
Revisit the anatomy and physiology of the renal and endocrine systems focusing on each system as the child grows and develops. The effect of disease and pathology on the normal functioning of the genitourinary and endocrine systems in childhood. The care associated with ongoing illness in the child and adolescent and their family including the physiological, psychological and social aspects of care.

Mental health issues in children and adolescents
The nature and range of mental health and neurodiversity issues in childhood and adolescents will be explored, including care planning, care delivery and evaluation of care in both the acute and community setting. Mental health conditions to be explored include eating disorders, depression, anxiety and self-harm.

Pharmacological interventions
The principles of pharmacological interventions required most frequently in the management of children with endocrine, genitourinary and mental health conditions will be explored in detail.

Evidence based nursing interventions for the child and family with ongoing illness
Nursing assessment strategies, care planning, care delivery and the evaluation of care provided to the child and their family with acute and chronic genitourinary conditions, endocrine dysfunction, disability and mental health issues.

Disability in childhood
The effects of a range of physical and intellectual disabilities in childhood to include the care and support needs of the child with a disability and their family in the acute and community setting.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Jayne Price,Orla McAlinden,Zoë Veal: 2024, Essentials of Nursing Children and Young People, 2nd Edition, 9781529767339
Sonya Clarke,Doris Corkin: 2023, Care Planning in Children and Young People's Nursing, 2nd edition, John Wiley & Sons, 373, 9781119819622
Elizabeth Anne Bruce,Janet Williss,Faith Gibson: 2023, The Great Ormond Street Hospital Manual of Children and Young People's Nursing Practices, John Wiley & Sons, 839, 9781118898222

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None