The School of Nursing and Midwifery at Queen’s University Belfast has launched an innovative graduate entry Master’s programme in professional nursing aimed at existing graduates from other disciplines who want to move into a career in nursing. In order to provide a skilled workforce to meet the health needs of Northern Ireland, the Department of Health NI has commissioned 30 places in Adult Nursing and 20 places in Children and Young People’s Nursing to commence in September 2020. This means for NI/EU/EAA residents, tuition fees and a bursary will be available. This programme recognises the value of prior learning and experience graduate students bring to the programme and will develop leadership capacity within the nursing profession. This programme has been coproduced with students, practice partners and service users to create a high quality programme that will support graduates become safe and compassionate nurses of the future.

Professor Donna Fitzsimons, Head of School of Nursing and Midwifery at Queen’s University Befast, said: “Launching this graduate entry MSc programme, at this time of unprecedented challenge in nursing inspires us to think outside the box. We hope that this course can help address some of the workforce challenges in nursing. It recognises the value of prior learning and experience graduate students bring to the programme. We intend to develop these attributes as the building blocks of a professional career. I am confident that QUB will offer a high quality learning experience and ensure that students develop the skills and knowledge to deliver safe and compassionate patient care.

Queen’s University coproduced the Master’s programme in partnership with current students, practice partners, the Department of Health Northern Ireland, service users and carers to ensure students emerge ready to meet the current and future challenges in healthcare.  

Chief Nursing Officer, Professor Charlotte McArdle, said: “The Department of Health is delighted to commission for the first time a graduate entry master’s in nursing programme to facilitate those who have already attained degree level in other fields. This innovative programme aligns with the Department’s Workforce Strategy, providing a unique opportunity to build the nursing workforce and develop leadership capacity within the profession. We have worked closely with Queen’s University Belfast to ensure the programme will meet the needs of service users and carers and deliver improved health and social care outcomes for the population.”

Brenda Creaney, Executive Director of Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, said: “This graduate entry programme is a great move forward for developing a career trajectory in adult and children’s nursing.”

Applications are now open for entry into the adult and children’s fields of nursing for a programme start date of September 2020. The programme is being commissioned by the Department of Health Northern Ireland and a bursary is available for NI/EU/EEA students.

If you are interested in this new and exciting opportunity you should submit your application via the University’s Direct Applications Portal go.qub.ac.uk/pgapply You can also visit our campaign page. The deadline for applications is 7 August, 2020. For further information email: askmhls@qub.ac.uk