Nursing Practice Development

The Nursing Practice Development team facilitates and guides both pre-registered nursing students and post-registration nurses, in their endeavour to learn and improve their practice. The department focuses on developing and supporting staff with evidence-based practice standards to continuously improve patient centred care.

Undergraduate nursing programmes

As a large level 4 academic teaching hospital, we provide excellent clinical placements for undergraduate nursing students. These include General Nursing, the combined Children’s & General Nursing and Mental Health Nursing programmes. Student nurses gain a variety of clinical experiences in acute adult nursing, as part of an integrated programme within St. Vincent’s Healthcare Group, in collaboration with University College Dublin. An experienced team of clinical placement coordinators support the students on site and help clinical staff to provide a positive learning environment and culture of continuous education.

Practice support

New nursing staff, graduates and healthcare assistants starting in the hospital are provided with a dedicated orientation, followed by a variety of supportive induction programmes. Innovative practice support programmes are also provided for nursing candidates undertaking Overseas Adaptation, and general nurses Upskilling to Practice in the Acute Hospital Setting.

The department is available for frontline staff with clinical queries, and we endeavour to address their learning needs and guide them in the right direction. We have a wealth of up-to-date clinical policies, guidelines and procedures, which are evidence-based and available on all computers hospital-wide. There is full access to a comprehensive healthcare library on site.

There are opportunities for clinical staff to take on fixed term project work and develop an entirely new range of skills.  Current projects include the Careful Nursing Philosophy & Professional Practice Model, Standardised Nursing Languages, Care-planning and Shift Handovers.

Continuous professional development opportunities

The Nursing Practice Development team provides excellent short skills-based courses and ward based learning sessions and support.

For more information on all the programmes provided visit the NEPD Prospectus:

• Prospectus NEPD 1 Induction & Mandatory training
• Prospectus NEPD 2 Clinical Skills
• Prospectus NEPD 3 CPDs & Grad Dips

Other useful contact details

Useful links

• HSE Land
• Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland
• Nursing and Midwifery Planning and Development Unit
• University College Dublin, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems