Postgraduate Diploma in Renal & Dialysis Nursing

• Develop graduates as competent renal & dialysis nurse who will deliver evidence-based care and effectively integrating emerging technologies.
• Foster foundational leaderships skills & advocacy to effectively manage and coordinate care with multidisciplinary renal care team, with the goal to ensure optimal health outcomes for patients with renal disease and their families.
• Equip graduates with research competencies to critically appraise, generate, and translate research into practice, to improve renal care health outcomes in the UAE and the region.
• Enhance professional development and reflective practice aimed at improving renal care outcomes and contribute to national health priorities in the UAE.

• Benchmarked with international standards and accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, UAE.
• Tailored for working professionals with evening and weekend classes.
• Hands-on experience and development of specialist clinical skills through clinical rotations in leading renal and dialysis units under the guidance of experienced preceptors.
• Emphasis on leadership skills, interdisciplinary collaboration, and preparing students to work effectively within healthcare.
• Opportunity to develop a basic understanding of research principles related to renal & dialysis nursing, promoting critical thinking and evidence-based practice.

Regular Admission

Applicants must meet the following criteria for admission into the University’s higher education programs:

• Hold a bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited university in the UAE or an equivalent qualification from a recognized institution outside the UAE.
• Have a minimum Cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or its established equivalent.
• Possess a valid license to practice as a Registered Nurse issued by the MOH, DH, or DOH (or provide evidence that the licensure process is underway, which is preferable).
• Demonstrate English language proficiency through one of the following:
  • A letter from the university confirming that English was the medium of instruction during the bachelor’s degree program OR
  • Submission of IELTS or TOEFL scores meeting international standards, if the medium of instruction is in the native language during the bachelor’s degree program
• Have a minimum of one year of clinical experience prior to admission.
• Undergo an interview with the Admissions Committee and the Dean/Program Director as part of the selection process.
• Submit a letter of support from the employer confirming the applicant’s release time to participate effectively in the learning and training components of the graduate program.

Conditional Admission

Applicants who do not fully meet the regular admission requirements may be considered for conditional admission under the following criteria:

• Hold a bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited university in the UAE or an equivalent qualification from outside the UAE.
• Have a minimum Cumulative GPA between 2.5 and 2.9 on a 4.0 scale or its established equivalent.
• Possess a valid license to practice as a Registered Nurse from MOH, DH, or DOH, UAE (or provide proof of the ongoing licensure process, which is preferable).
• Demonstrate English language proficiency through one of the following:
  • A letter from the university confirming that English was the medium of instruction during the bachelor’s degree program OR
  • Submission of IELTS or TOEFL scores meeting international standards, if the medium of instruction is in the native language during the bachelor’s degree program
• Have a minimum of one year of clinical experience prior to admission.
• May be admitted for the first semester only, with a maximum course load of nine (9) credit hours. The student must achieve a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale to progress to the second semester; failure to do so will result in dismissal from the program.

Semester 1

Semester – 2   

*For Applied Research Methodology – 1 Non-Lecture Credit hour is equal to 4 hours

SEMESTER 1

RND 111: Pathophysiological concepts of Renal Illness

This course introduces pathophysiological concepts essential for understanding renal diseases. It provides graduate-level nursing students with a comprehensive framework to interpret complex, multisystem alterations that occur in underlying renal diseases and conditions commonly encountered in nephrology, including dialysis and transplant-related complications. Emphasis is placed on the mechanisms of cellular injury, inflammatory responses and the progression of systemic dysfunction across major organ systems. The course covers pathophysiological concepts of progression of kidney disorders, electrolyte and acid-base imbalances, and the multisystem effects of chronic kidney disease and dialysis. Through integrated case-based learning, students will develop clinical reasoning skills necessary to recognize early signs of deterioration, understand disease trajectories, and support decision making in high-acuity settings. This course lays the essential foundation for advanced clinical practice and informed interventions in renal and dialysis nursing.

RND 112: Health Assessment of Renal Illness

This course is designed to provide graduate-level nursing students with the necessary knowledge and advanced clinical assessment skills to perform comprehensive system wise health assessments focusing on advanced technologies and procedures used in managing renal and dialysis patients. Emphasize is placed on assessing patients in renal and dialysis settings, interpreting clinical data and utilizing advanced assessment techniques such as obtaining comprehensive and focused health history and performing physical examination on renal and dialysis patients to make informed clinical decisions. The course integrates theoretical knowledge with practical applications to foster proficiency in health assessment of renal and dialysis patients to identify abnormal findings. Evidence-based assessment strategies are integrated throughout to support clinical decision making and optimize patient outcomes in renal healthcare settings.

RND 113: Renal & Dialysis Nursing – Specialty I

This course provides an in-depth exploration of advanced concepts in renal and dialysis nursing essential for managing complex renal disorders in diverse high-acuity settings. With a focus on holistic, evidence-informed practice, it explores the pathophysiology, assessment, monitoring, and management of complex multisystem conditions related to progressive renal insufficiency. The student will gain advanced competencies in interpreting renal parameters, fluid-electrolyte data, managing dialysis modalities, and safe administration of medications related to renal replacement therapy. Beyond clinical expertise, the course fosters a caring approach that incorporates ethical obligations, legal standards, family-centered care, and patient safety as integral elements. The key content areas such as nutrition support, pain management, infection prevention, and the use of nursing informatics are also woven into the learning experience. Through the integration of case-based learning, evidence-based protocols, and interprofessional collaboration, students will develop clinical insight, empathy, and competence required to deliver safe and compassionate care in renal care environments.

RND 114: Biostatistics for Health Care Providers

This course equips the student with knowledge in the application of descriptive and inferential statistics in biomedical research. The focus will be on numerical computation and interpretation of outcomes from a given data set. This course will help students to develop skills in analyzing and interpreting data from health and allied health settings through classroom demonstrations and ‘hands-on’ experience with MS Excel for data management and statistical analysis software such as Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) for analysis. This course will focus on communicating complex statistical information.

RND 115: Renal & Dialysis Nursing – Clinical Practicum I

This practicum course provides hands-on clinical experience in managing the care of patients with renal conditions across diverse nephrology care settings, including renal transplant facilities. The students will apply evidence-informed practices in managing renal replacement therapies, including initiating and monitoring dialysis, managing vascular access devices, and responding to dialysis-related complications. Emphasis is placed on patient safety, ethical and legal standards, culturally sensitive and family-centered care. Through direct patient care, students will integrate skills in anemia management, uremic symptom control, renal pharmacology, nutritional support, and infection prevention. Case-based reflection, interprofessional collaboration, and supervised clinical decision-making will enhance their ability to deliver compassionate, high-quality renal care while developing advanced clinical insight and competence in renal and dialysis nursing.

SEMESTER 2

 RND 121: Applied Research Methodology

This course provides a comprehensive foundation in research methodology with a focus on both theoretical principles and practical application in nursing and healthcare research. It covers key components of the formulation of research questions, research process, including research approaches, study designs, sampling methods, data collection techniques, and planning for data management and analysis. Emphasis is placed on understanding the ethical and legal aspects of research, including issues related to research fraud, academic misconduct, confidentiality, and conflicts of interest. As part of the course, students will work in research teams to collaboratively develop an integrative review group research project, allowing them to apply learned concepts in a real-world context. Opportunities will be provided for active participation in clinical research activities, seminars, and academic presentations.

RND 122: Renal & Dialysis Nursing – Specialty II

This course is designed to advance the knowledge and clinical decision-making involved in managing complex and advanced renal conditions, including acute & chronic kidney injury, end-stage renal disease, and renal involvement in multisystem disorders such as sepsis, trauma, and endocrine complications with an emphasis on an evidence-based approach. The students will analyze advanced diagnostics, prioritize care, and apply contemporary technologies to implement renal care interventions. Additionally, the course includes comprehensive exposure to Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), the care for kidney transplantation, quality assurance programs and strategic workforce planning specific to renal and dialysis units. It integrates advanced clinical skills with leadership, quality improvement, and professional development competencies required of renal & dialysis nurse specialists.

RND 123: Pharmacotherapy of Renal & Dialysis Care

This course is designed to enable students to have an in-depth understanding of the general principles of pharmacotherapeutics with a focus on drug selection, dosing adjustments and safety considerations in renal and dialysis patients. The course covers system-based pharmacology and emergency drugs administered in renal healthcare settings, pharmacovigilance and aligns with the theoretical knowledge of the standard operating procedures and protocols. Evidence based guidelines and current trends are integrated to keep abreast with the dynamic healthcare management of renal patients.

RND 124: Renal & Dialysis Nursing – Clinical Practicum II

This course is designed to advance the knowledge and clinical decision making involved in managing complex and advanced renal conditions, including acute & chronic kidney injury, end-stage renal disease, and renal involvement in multisystem disorders such as sepsis, trauma, and endocrine complications with an emphasis on an evidence-based approach. on an evidence-based approach. The students will analyze advanced diagnostics, prioritize care, and apply contemporary technologies to implement renal care interventions. Additionally, the course includes comprehensive exposure to Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), care for kidney transplantation, quality assurance programs and strategic workforce planning specific to renal and dialysis units. It integrates advanced clinical skills with leadership, quality improvement, and professional development competencies required of renal & dialysis nurse specialists.

RND 125: Organizational Leadership and Management

This course is designed to prepare the students to understand concepts related to organization, interprofessional collaboration, human resources development, strategic planning and managing, information management, quality management, performance appraisal, leadership, staffing, scheduling, and budgeting principles. The course will enable the students to develop the necessary skill and competency to tackle issues in renal & dialysis nursing service along with maximizing interdisciplinary team functions and generating productive results. The course will help students to develop the necessary leadership practice roles within the complexities of the health care delivery system in UAE by acquiring a broad knowledge in renal & dialysis nursing leadership and management.

The Postgraduate Diploma in Renal & Dialysis Nursing (PGDR&DN) is full-time 1 year (2 Semesters) [ 24 credits]. Awarding the Postgraduate Diploma will be based on the completion of 2 semesters.

Program Completion Requirements include:

• Successful completion of 24 credits of the program.
• A minimum pass mark of 70% (Grade C) for each course.
• A minimum CGPA of 3.0 out of 4.0.
• Securing a minimum attendance of 80% in graded courses.
• Securing 100% attendance in clinical courses.

Upon successful completion of the Postgraduate Diploma in Renal & Dialysis Nursing program, the candidates can:

• Work as a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) in Renal and Dialysis Care units in hospitals, providing advanced care to critically ill patients.
• Serve as a clinical nurse educator, teaching and mentoring nursing staff and students in healthcare facilities.
• Take on leadership roles such as Clinical Resource Nurse/ Nurse Manager/Team leader of renal and dialysis care services, overseeing the operations of dialysis and renal units and ensuring high standards of care.
• Function as a Renal & Dialysis specialised nurse after meeting the country specific licensing requirements.
• Pursue graduate degree followed by doctorate degree in Renal & Dialysis Nursing like Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) to become a Nurse Administrator, Chief Nursing Officer, Dean or Director of Nursing programs.