Nurse Practice Development Unit

Nurse Practice Development Unit (NPDU)

Driving Excellence in Clinical Practice, Education, and Innovation

The Nurse Practice Development Unit (NPDU) at CUH are proud to lead and support the delivery of high quality, evidence-based clinical placements and internships, fully aligned with the Nurse Registration Programmes Standards and Requirements 2023. Our strong academic partnerships ensure that educational programmes remain clinically relevant, whilst our nurses are informed by the latest developments in academia and research.

We are committed to advancing general nursing practice and Children’s nursing through education, quality improvement, evidence-based care, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Our work enhances patient outcomes and supports the professional growth of nurses and nursing students.

What We Do

Clinical Placement & Clinical Learning Support and Management

The NPDU plays a vital role in creating and sustaining high-quality clinical learning environments. We work closely with clinical and academic staff to ensure that BSc nursing students and new nurse graduates receive structured, supported placements that foster competence, confidence, and a commitment to lifelong learning.

Preceptorship

The NPDU encourage registered nurses who support nursing students to complete the approved Preceptorship course to enable them to support, guide and assess nursing students learning and competence development. The NPDU delivers one hour Preceptorship Workshops and Preceptors are awarded one NMBI CPD for attendance.

Practice Development & Quality Care

We support ongoing improvements in nursing practice for both Adult and older person, children and families across all patient care areas, including: 

• Development of evidence-based care policies and clinical documentation
• Implementation of national standards such as HIQA guidelines, Care Pathways, NMBI Requirements, Local and National HSE Policies
• Diverse patient safety initiatives
• Multidisciplinary quality improvement campaigns through a hospital-wide calendar of events

Interdisciplinary Education & Research

We actively promote research engagement and continuous learning through: 

• Hosting local conferences, including CUH Nursing Conference, CUH Annual Child & Family Nursing conference and supporting Advanced Nurse Practitioners/Clinical Nurse Specialist events.
• Professional Development Huddles- monthly education sessions that create a learning environment conducive to professional development where multidisciplinary healthcare professionals share their research, experience and expertise. One NMBI CPD hour is awarded.
• Child Health Chats- monthly education sessions that create a learning environment conducive to professional development in Children’ services. The scheduled sessions provide Nurses, MDT staff and Health Care Students with an opportunity to come together for a cuppa, professional development discussion and sharing of information.
• Supporting the Magnet4Europe Education Display Information Area (MEDIA), located on CUH’s Main Concourse, where quality improvement and research projects are showcased and updated biannually

Our Vision

To be a centre of excellence that continues to support and empower nurses and nursing students to deliver high-quality, safe, compassionate and person-centred care, through practice development, education, research and strong collaboration across disciplines.

We are extremely proud of our work and the strong partnerships we have built across CUH. Through these collaborations, we continue to shape best practice, support our colleagues, and advance outcomes for our patients.

Team Profile

TThe NPDU comprises of two teams, respectively aligned with the undergraduate BSc. General Nursing and BSc. Children's and General Integrated Nursing programmes.

Nurse Practice Development Coordinator (NPDC)/Nurse Practice Development Coordinator Paediatrics

The NPDC leads their respective NPDU team, supporting nursing practice to facilitate high standards of patient focused nursing care. They lead, coordinate and evaluate nursing and interdisciplinary policies, in collaboration with colleagues, ensuring the provision of a quality clinical learning environment. The NPDC  co-ordinates the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the structures and processes required to support safe Nurse Medicinal Prescribing and Nurse Authority to refer Radiological procedures, compliant with NMBI  requirements .They  manage the activities of the NPDU, promoting the ongoing development of nursing care though evidence-based best practice, supporting education, research, and quality improvement initiatives to advance nursing care and the clinical learning environment.

Clinical Placement Coordinator (CPC)/Paediatric Clinical Placement Coordinator

The CPC is responsible for the planning, coordination, and evaluation of high-quality clinical placements for nursing students. Working in line with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) Requirements and Standards (2023), the CPC ensures that nursing students are supported in safe, structured learning environments that promote professional growth and competence. This role involves close collaboration with academic partners, clinical staff and the NPDU, to align clinical learning with academic curricula and service needs.

Allocations Liaison Officer (ALO) General/Allocations Liaison Officer Children/General

The ALO establishes, organises and co-ordinates internal hospital and external hospital core clinical placements in liaison with UCC. They monitor and manage attendance, absenteeism, ensuring each nursing student meets the Requirements and Standards for Nurse Registration Education Programme set out by NMBI. They maintain records as required by NMBI. They also liaise with the finance department, in managing nursing students’ allowances and expenses. They are also involved in practice development initiatives within the hospital, liaising with ward managers and other members of the MDT.

Nurse Documentation Officer

The Nurse Documentation Officers ensure nursing records are accurate, complete, and compliant with professional and legal standards. They develop and review documentation templates, provide staff training, conduct audits, and work with multidisciplinary teams to support safe, evidence-based, and patient-centred care.

Enquiries

Please Call 021-4922059 if you would like to contact NPDU at CUH