MHSc (Diabetes) Nursing

University of Galway

Diabetes is a global health emergency with over 600 million people expected to have the condition by 2030, representing 10% of the world’s population. Therefore the World Health Organisation (WHO) has classed diabetes as an epidemic requiring urgent action for both prevention and management. This has been echoed in Irelands Health Service Executive national policy and clinical strategy for diabetes. It is a chronic metabolic condition that can cause significant cardiovascular morbidity and mortality if not managed correctly. Central to this management is controlling key physiological indices such as blood sugar, blood pressure and blood lipid levels, as well as promoting health behaviours such as regular exercise, healthy eating and not smoking. Unfortunately achieving these biological targets and lifestyle goals is extremely challenging. Therefore given its growing prevalence and resulting impact on health care resources, there is an urgent need to provide specialist training in diabetes for clinicians and in particular nurses who are an integral part of the Diabetes Multidisciplinary Team.Learning outcomesDemonstrate ethically sound decision making in relation to the care of patients living with diabetes Demonstrate evidence based knowledge and skills in the care of patients with diabetes Demonstrate the ability to contribute to the professional body of knowledge related to diabetesAdvocate with other health care professionals for patients with diabetes, Assess risk and promote a safe environment and quality patient care, Contribute in multidisciplinary team planning Contribute to the multidisciplinary team in the delivery of quality care for patients with diabetesCareer OpportunitiesOn completion of the Postgraduate Diploma/Master of Health Sciences Diabetes, which are Level 9 NFQ awards, a registered nurse would be eligible to apply for clinical nurse specialist registration in diabetes. Please note that this course is accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).