Orthopaedic Nursing Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland

Overview

The Orthopaedic Nursing programme at Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland aims to assist you in taking a leading role in advancing and developing nursing and midwifery in this area, and effecting policy change in professional practice and health service provision. This programme is also suitable for nurses who are taking up new posts in orthopaedic trauma or for those who have been working in the area for some time but have not completed postgraduate education. It will offer you the opportunity to enhance your knowledge, experience and clinical expertise in the challenging and dynamic environment that is orthopaedic nursing.

The programme is delivered part-time over the course of one academic year, with an option to complete the programme over a period of up to three years if necessary.

The programme is offered in two streams: elective orthopaedic care (in partnership with the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Cappagh) and orthopaedic trauma, which is open to participants working in any orthopaedic trauma unit. Students in the trauma stream will undertake their studies through a combination of online lectures and classes in the RCSI Dublin Campus.  

Learning outcomes

This Orthopaedic Nursing programme at Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland will provide you with the skills and knowledge to: 

• Explore problem-solving skills in the area of planned orthopaedic nursing. 

• Prepare a comprehensive care plan using advanced problem solving skills for a patient undergoing elective interventions for orthopaedic problems. 

• Critically discuss the principles associated with the management of common orthopaedic traumatic injuries. 

• Explore problem-solving skills in the area of orthopaedic trauma nursing. 

• Consolidate knowledge in relation to the development of bone, its composition, development of muscle, fracture healing, the terminology used in musculoskeletal assessment, musculoskeletal anatomy and the implications for patients of specific investigations performed to evaluate a musculoskeletal condition or injury.