Postgraduate Courses in Nursing
If you are a qualified nurse with post-registration experience and you want to further your learning and career prospects then a postgraduate course in nursing may be for you. Changes in society and increased expectations of provision of care mean that nursing is becoming much more research-orientated. Wide-ranging postgraduate courses in nursing continue to be relevant and will enhance patient care in the future. If you want to become a leader in clinical practice, extend your theoretical knowledge and practical skills or prepare yourself for leadership roles in healthcare practice, education and research then read on to discover how a postgraduate course in nursing can advance your career.
Investment in nursing education is immense in both organisational as well as personal terms. The decision about the educational experience and its setting should be crucially important to you, as well as to the colleagues and population with whom you are working. Information about postgraduate courses in nursing is easily available through the Internet, as well as through more traditional channels. There are, however, a number of questions that you should have in mind when considering which course would be the most beneficial.
Academically, the institution offering the course should be scrutinised. The research activity of the teaching staff or faculty members indicates the extent to which they are leaders in their field of nursing knowledge. This research activity is easily accessible through publications in authoritative nursing journals, which may be viewed directly or accessed through suitable nursing databases such as CINAHL, BIDS, or Medline.
While you are likely to take a course at one institution, you may benefit from the presence of other educational institutions in the vicinity, as local people will be accustomed to, aware of and keen to meet the needs of a visiting student. Their presence will also offer social and informal educational events, such as seminars and conferences, to which a range of students who are nurses would be welcomed. While studying at a recently established institution carries some advantages, if you are thinking of applying for a postgraduate course in nursing, you should consider whether an institution and the courses offered have worked through all of their 'teething troubles', which may affect the quality of your learning experience.
Before you apply
When contemplating applying, you should also decide whether the broad orientation of the institution is likely to meet or be well-aligned with your own views of nursing and health care. For example, a nurse who is employed in a management capacity is likely to seek a place in an institution where courses relevant to management are available. Equally, the person whose interest is in the social aspects of health would seek to study at an institution with a social science orientation.
Postgraduate courses
Postgraduate courses in nursing range from PG Diploma’s to completely research-based PhD’s. Most universities or colleges will offer taught programmes on a full or part-time basis. A full time MSc course will last for 12 months or 24-48 months part-time. A diploma has fewer credits and will last fro 9 months full time and 18-36 part-time. When deciding your mode of study, you will have to consider the workload you are able to commit to and how soon you wish to graduate. The usual difference between an MSc and a PG Diploma is that an MSc will require you to undertake a research project in a specialised field.
Admissions
Admissions requirements for entry onto postgraduate courses in nursing may vary between universities and colleges. Some will require a first degree for a full time MSc whereas others may accept a certain level of qualification and practical experience. You will need to be a qualified nurse however and some universities and colleges will expect you to have a minimum of 1-2 years of post-registration experience. Some courses are more flexible than others when it comes to course content. Make sure you choose a course that offers modules, in addition to core research and current issues modules, that allow you to develop understanding and expertise in the specialist field that you want your career to focus on.
Choosing the right course
A factor, the importance of which should never be underestimated, is the value of a personal recommendation of a course. If a nurse colleague has taken a course and is prepared to discuss its strengths, as well as any shortcomings, this is a chance that should be grasped. In this way, the application would be founded on more direct knowledge of the course's local relevance.
There is a lot to consider when choosing a postgraduate course in nursing. Be sure to fully research the institution, course content, mode of study and quality of teaching before you apply for a postgraduate course in nursing. There are limitless opportunities open to you as a postgraduate so if you want to get the best out of your career then apply now, postgraduate advisors are happy to be contacted by letter, phone, fax or email.
With thanks to:
Dr. Rosemary Mander
Senior Lecturer, Department of Nursing Studies
University of Edinburgh
http://www.health.ed.ac.uk/
