PgCert in Care of the Surgical Patient
€3,600
Enhance your knowledge of professional, clinical and managerial issues related to the care of the surgical patient in either perioperative or pre/postoperative settings.
Postgraduate Certificate
6 months
Online - Part-time
30 ECTS
January 2026
About
Advance your theoretical knowledge and develop a critical and questioning approach as you explore professional, clinical and managerial issues relevant to care of the surgical patient with RCSI School of Nursing and Midwifery.
Enhance your clinical practice by developing an in-depth knowledge of the principles of surgical care choosing between the perioperative strand or the preoperative/postoperative strand. You will explore evidence supporting safer patient care in these settings and emerging trends in these areas. This programme is delivered online via an active blended learning approach including self-directed learning and live online classes approximately once every week.
Further support is provided by the module lead, programme director and through regular online drop-in sessions.
The award title for this course is Postgraduate Certificate Nursing (Care of the Surgical Patient); you will have the option to choose between two further specialties within this programme – perioperative or pre/post.
This course is a Level 9 award on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications.
Enhance your knowledge and understanding of key concepts related to surgical care
Choose between clinical pathways to meet your interests and needs
Enhance your ability to manage emergencies and complications in this setting
Suitable for
This programme is suitable for nurses with an interest in the care of the surgical patient.
What you will learn
Faculty highlight
Biography
Dr Liane Teixeira
Dr Teixeira's clinical background is in A&E, with emphases on cardiopulmonary, obstetrics-gynecological and intensive care. Her research interests encompass mental health, education and health IT.
Find out more
Course information
This programme will provide you with the skills and knowledge to:
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of a comprehensive range of knowledge in the area of surgical patient care.
- Articulate a critical awareness of the latest evidence-based knowledge in the specialist area.
- Demonstrate a range of research and specialist knowledge and skills to the specialist area of clinical practice.
- Select from a broad range of specialist skills and knowledge in the specialist area.
- Act in a comprehensive and often unpredictable variety of professional and ill-defined contexts in the specialist area.
- Take significant responsibility for the work of individuals and groups and lead and initiate activity in the specialist area.
- Critically self-evaluate professional and personal learning needs and those of others within your specialist area of practice and link to related continuing professional development requirements.
- Present a reflective and questioning approach to specialist practice delivery and exhibit professional application of your knowledge in an accountable, responsible and evidence-based manner.
Upon the successful completion of this programme, you can progress to a postgraduate diploma.
The programme will begin in January each year.
This programme is assessed through a range of assessment modalities.
All programmes offered by the School of Nursing and Midwifery are accredited by RCSI, the National University of Ireland and the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland. Recognition by bodies in other jurisdictions must be determined by individual applicants.
Admissions
To be eligible for this programme you must:
- Hold an NFQ Level 8 qualification. However, if you do not hold a Level 8 qualification you may still be eligible to join the programme through our supported-entry pathway programme. This is subject to an assessment of prior learning and experience.
- Have an active registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland or other registration in a country in which they are practicing if international students.
Learning occurs in many contexts including work, involvement in social and community activities, and learning through life experience generally.
Recognition of prior learning (RPL) does not give credit for experience as such – rather, it considers learning that was acquired as a result of the experience. RPL may be used to gain admission to programmes where you may not have obtained the standard entry requirements. This is considered on a case-by-case basis.
Exemptions from programme modules that duplicate learning already demonstrably acquired through prior learning may also be considered on a case-by-case basis.
For more information, please contact the School of Nursing and Midwifery:
- Tel: +353 1 402 2445
- Email: nursing@rcsi.ie
English language requirements for RCSI Postgraduate programmes are published here. If you have completed undergraduate/postgraduate full-time studies in the medium of the English language (three or more years cumulatively) or are registered with the NMBI, you are exempt from these requirements.
The fees for this programme are €3,600.
Please note:
- Fees include the €45 NUI fee.
- There is an additional application fee of €50 which is non-refundable.
- Fees are subject to review annually.
- Fees can be paid by bank transfer. Full details on fee payment will be emailed to you before the commencement of your programme.
- You can pay your fees in two equal instalments – one payment of 50% is due before you commence the programme, and the remaining payment is due at the midway point of the programme.
- If you meet the criteria for a non-EU student, please contact us for more information on fee payments at tel: +353 1 402 2445 or email: nursing@rcsi.ie.
Please view our Postgraduate fees policy for more information.
Sponsored students
If your study is sponsored by your employer, you will be required to upload written confirmation of your sponsorship when accepting your programme offer. You will be unable to accept your offer until confirmation of sponsorship is received or a payment is made.
How to apply
Applications for January 2026 are now open, please apply at the link below or email nursing@rcsi.ie for further information.