PgCert in Orthopaedic Nursing (National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh)
€3,600
Enhance your knowledge of conditions requiring planned orthopaedic procedures and best practice in relation to patient care.
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 and clinical issues related to the care of the patient requiring a planned orthopaedic procedure.
Enhance your clinical practice by developing an in-depth knowledge of conditions requiring planned orthopaedic procedures with RCSI School of Nursing and Midwifery. Improve your knowledge of evaluating approaches to planning and implementing health education, interventions, polices and strategies. Please note that this programme is delivered in partnership with the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Cappagh. If you are interested in Orthopaedic Trauma Nursing, the RCSI strand may be more appropriate for you.
This programme is delivered part-time via an active blended learning approach including self-directed learning and live online classes approximately once every week in Semester 1, with in-person teaching in Semester 2.
Further support is provided through the module lead, programme director and regular online drop-in sessions.
The award title for this course is Postgraduate Certificate Nursing (Orthopaedic Nursing).
This course is a Level 9 award on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications.
Consolidate your knowledge of the principles of orthopaedic nursing
Enhance your knowledge of conditions impacting the musculoskeletal system
Develop your nursing practice for individuals requiring planned orthopaedic procedures
Suitable for
This programme is designed for registered nurses with an interest in caring for individuals requiring planned orthopaedic procedures.
What you will learn
Faculty highlight
Biography
Dr Jarlath Varley, Programme Director
Dr Varley has contributed to many aspects of ANP nursing in Ireland including policy development, role evaluation, evaluation of impact on health services and curriculum alignment with recent health policy strategies.
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 orthopaedic nursing.
- 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, students 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 the programme you must:
- Hold an NFQ Level 8 qualification. However, applicants who do not hold a Level 8 qualification 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.
- Must be working in the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Cappagh or other site which has been audit approved for the duration of the programme.
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 intake are now open.
For guidance or further information please contact nursing@rcsi.ie.
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