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THEORETICAL COMPONENT OF THE PRE-REGISTRATION HONOURS DEGREE PROGRAMMES
NURSING
67% of the theoretical content is the art and science of nursing care.
33% of the theoretical content is devoted to the applied biological and social sciences, which are the science subjects that are taught as they apply to, and inform, nursing care.
The nursing content of the theoretical component of the programme aims to develop the necessary professional knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to meet the nursing needs of patients/clients.
The theoretical component of the pre-registration honours degree programmes has common elements as well as areas very specific to the particular area of nursing.
The following is a list of some of the theoretical subjects that comprise the theoretical component of the programmes:
- Communication and Interpersonal Skills
- Healthcare Systems
- Health Promotion
- History of Nursing
- Individual and Health and Illness
- Person-Centred Care
- Personal and Professional Development
- Research
- Theory of Nursing
- Biological Sciences for Nursing
- Social Sciences for Nursing
- Development of Nursing Practice
For a detailed content of the theoretical component of each nursing programme, refer to Requirements and Standards for Nurse Registration Education Programmes (2005) available in the Publications section of this website.
MIDWIFERY
The content of the theoretical component of the programme aims to develop the necessary professional knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to meet the midwifery needs of women and their families.
The following is a list of some of the subject areas that comprise the theoretical component of the programmes:
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Ethical issues in midwifery practice
- Biological sciences for midwifery practice
- Legal issues in midwifery practice
- Knowledge and skills for midwifery practice
- Non-pharmaceutical approaches to symptom relief
- Pharmacology
- Professional and personal development
- Promoting maternal, child and community health
- Psychology
- Research
- Sociology and midwifery practice
- Provision of maternal and social care services in Ireland
- Women-centred care.
For a detailed content of the theoretical component of each midwifery programme, refer to Requirements and Standards for Midwife Registration Education Programmes (2005) available in the Publications section of this website.
BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
Anatomy
Anatomy is a branch of natural science that studies the structures, organisation and relationships within the body.
Human anatomy provides the student nurse with a knowledge of the structure and relationships between the systems within the body.
The study of anatomy is conducted within systems such as the circulatory and respiratory systems.
This knowledge informs the nurse/midwife of the normal structure.
The proper understanding of structure, however, implies knowledge of the functioning of the body.
Anatomy is therefore almost inseparable from physiology.
Physiology
Physiology is the study of the physical and chemical processes that take place within the body during the performance of life functions.
It is concerned with the study of basic activities such as metabolism, respiration and growth as they are carried out within cells, tissues, organs, and systems of the body.
Knowledge of the normal structure (anatomy) and function (physiology) is essential to inform the practice of nursing/midwifery.
Physics
Physics is a science that deals with the fundamental constituents of the universe, the forces they exert and the results produced by these forces.
These forces have been harnessed to provide diagnostic and therapeutic instruments and they explain the processes behind many body functions.
Chemistry
Chemistry is the study of the composition, structure and properties of material substances and the interaction between them. Chemical reactions occur continuously, everywhere, including our bodies.
Knowledge of chemistry is essential to the development of a knowledge of physiology (how the body functions) and pharmacology (how drugs act on the body and how the body acts on the drugs).
Bio-Chemistry
Bio-chemistry is the study of substances found in living organisms and it studies the chemical reactions underlying body processes that form the basis of our body functions.
It is a branch of both chemistry and biology.
It aims to give an understanding of the structure and behaviour of bio-molecules such as amino-acids, enzymes, carbohydrates and fatty substances, all of which play vital roles in cell functioning.
It is essential to support an understanding of the body physiology (functions).
Genetics
Genetics is the study of how physical and behavioural traits or characteristics are transmitted or passed from parents to children.
It is the study of DNA, chromosomes and genes. It provides a knowledge-base to support an understanding of how some illnesses are acquired.
Pathology
Pathology studies the nature and course of diseases.
It is the study of cells and chemicals from body fluids and tissue taken for analysis in order to provide diagnosis. It is the study of abnormal function associated with disease.
Microbiology
Microbiology is the study of organisms of microscopic size including bacteria, protozoas, viruses, certain algae and fungi.
The study contributes to understanding how infection is caused and spread. This is essential to prepare the nurse/midwife to prevent and fight infection.
Pharmacology
Pharmacology is the science that studies the interaction between chemical substances such as prescribed drugs and living cells, tissues and organs.
It studies how drugs are absorbed by the body, where they act in the body, the effect they have on the body and how the body breaks down and excretes them.
Nurses/Midwives are responsible for the safe and effective administration of drugs.
SOCIAL SCIENCES
Psychology
Psychology is the study of human behaviour and experience. It is the study of how people sense, think, learn and know.
Psychological theories help to explain and understand people’s behaviour, including behaviour in relation to health or ill health.
There are many different sub-fields within psychology such as clinical psychology, health psychology and educational psychology.
Sociology
Sociology is the study of people within social or group life.
It studies social structures such as families and communities.
Patients and nurses/midwives, and how they as social groups develop relations, are informed by sociology.
Philosophy
Philosophy is the logical and analytical examination into basic principles.
It is also used to mean a set of basic beliefs and values about life, nature, nursing/midwifery and education.
Ethics
Ethics is the study of principles or standards of human conduct or morals.
Ethical principles help guide decision making at a personal and professional level.
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