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School of Nursing, Psychotherapy and Community Health

Surgical Skills for Healthcare Practitioners - NUR1121


Module summary:

This is an NFQ level 9 (Masters Level) 10 ECTS credit course, accredited by DCU as a micro-credential and approved the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI). Delivered using a blended learning approach, theoretical and clinical skills content facilitated by expert clinicians are further supported through clinical supervision in the learner’s work environment. Competency based assessments underpin the development of skills proficiency.  

Attendance for this module is required for 4 individual days spread over a 12-week semester (module dates will be available in Sept 2024).  100% attendance will be required on DCU contact days. In addition, engagement with online learning activities will be required throughout the course of the module. Candidates will need good internet connection.

Who should attend:

Nurses/Midwives that are likely to encounter the need to undertake minor surgical skin procedures in their work environment. This includes practitioners working in varied roles /clinical settings within healthcare organisations and who encounter situations where a clear need may emerge to develop and expand their existing practice (within their scope of professional practice as determined by an appropriate regulatory body). Candidates will be required to furnish a completed ‘Engagement Agreement for Clinical Supervision Process’ from their employing authority/line manager or Intern coordinator (where relevant) prior to module commencement. 

Topics to include:

• Patient assessment/treatment options

• Lesion identification/management

• Local anesthesia administration –risks and management 

  •       Wound/Sharp debridement
  •       Cryosurgery
  •       LARC

• Suturing - materials/techniques/wound closure

• Punch biopsies & curettage

• Ellipse marking/excision

• Deep dermal suturing & wound closure

• Abscesses/cyst/in-grown toenail management

• Discharge advice/aftercare

• Clinical Governance/Medico-legal aspects

• Protocol development/audit

Benefits to practitioners:

This module aims to equip candidates with the requisite knowledge, skills, attributes, and capabilities to meet the needs of patients who may require minor surgical skin procedures. It supports existing and expanding professional roles in practice. It provides an opportunity for accredited learning to assist in formal career advancement structures and requirements (where applicable) that may include expansion of existing practice.

Module assessment:

The module is assessed by completion of a portfolio of evidence comprising competency assessment of skills, critique of best evidence to inform guideline/protocol development and Reflective practice. 

Entry requirements:
  • Candidates must have a minimum of NFQ level 8 professional nursing/midwifery qualification or equivalent and be members of the professional body, the Nursing and Midwifery Board or Ireland (NMBI). 
  • Candidates must be working in an area of practice where they are likely to encounter the need to undertake minor surgical skin procedures, and must provide details of their clinical base in the 'Experience' section of the application form.
  • Candidates who meet the requirements above will also be required to provide a completed Engagement Agreement from their employer prior to registration.

Please Note: Applicants may not apply to take more than 30 credits of micro-credentials.

Module information: 

Commencing: January 2025, NFQ Level 9, 10 ECTS

Module code: NUR1121

Cost of module: The fee for this module is €1,250 and a HCI Pillar 3 Learner Fee Subsidy is available to a fixed number of eligible candidates. Eligibility criteria for the Learner Fee Subsidy are available on the microcreds.ie website. The subsidised fee is €725.00.

The University does not refund application or registration fees for professional development courses, however, students can defer their registration to the next available sitting, except in the case of micro-credential courses where there is no availability for a deferred entry.

How to apply: Application details tbc

Closing date: the closing date for applications is Friday, 6th November 2024, or sooner if the course is oversubscribed.


For further information on the module please contact:

Dr Therese Leufer via email: therese.leufer@dcu.ie or 

Mr Joseph Bonham (RANP), email: josephbonham@beaumont.ie.