Mr Tom O'Connor MSC
Contact Details
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Biography:
| Tom O'Connor is a lecturer in the UCD School of Nursing Midwifery and Health Systems and Director of Continuing Professional Development and Lifelong Learning. He is a graduate of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland holding a Bachelors in Nursing Studies and also holds a Higher Diploma in Education and a Masters of Science in Advanced Nursing from The University of Ulster. In his professional background he registered as a general nurse having trained in The Netherlands and has clinical experience in the Netherlands, Australia and Ireland. In May 2009 he was awarded a UCD Fellowship in Teaching and Academic Development.He held the position of Head of Teaching in the School of Nursing, Midwifery & Helath Systems from 2008-2010. He has held the position of lecturer the UCD School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems since 2002 and has primary responsibility for undergraduate programmes in the school. He is active in Health Systems research including the use of elearning for health professionals and in the area of competence development for nursing practice and has obtained substantial funding in these areas. He is currently a doctoral candidate in the University of Keele. |
Research Interests
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Research projects and Funding Sponsor: UCD
Seed Funding Sponsor:
Health Services Executive. Title: Nurse
perceptions of being patient advocates Sponsor: Health Service Executive The National Clinical Leadership Pilot Framework Evaluation. PI: Professor Gerard Fealy (2011-12) Value: undisclosed |
Research Projects
| Sponsor : National Council for the Professional Development of Nursing and Midwifery (via HSE) Title : Active E-support for competence assessment Start Date / End Date : 01-JUN-06 / 01-JUN-08 |
Recent Postgraduates
| 2012 Msc Nursing: Margaret Deasy Thesis Title: The lived experience of newly qualified nurses¿ in coping with death and dying in oncology 2010 MSc Nursing: |
Book Chapters
| McHugh A., Fealy G., Clancy A., Drennan J & O'Connor T.; (2004) 'Developing and Implementing an E-Learning Strategy in a School of Nursing and Midwifery in the Republic of Ireland' In: Seth Preston & Nguyen, T (eds). Virtuality and Education: A Reader. Oxford: Interdisciplinary Press. [Details] |
| O'Connor T ; (2006) 'Cultural Health Assessment: Ireland' In: D¿avanzo, C. & Geissler E (eds). Cultural Health Assessment 4th edition. Missouri: Mosby. [Details] |
Peer Reviewed Journals
| O'Connor, T,Kelly, B; (2005) 'Bridging the gap: A study of general nurses' perceptions of patient advocacy in Ireland'. Nursing Ethics, 12 :453-467. [DOI] [Details] |
| Ahern A, O'Connor T, MacRuairc G, McNamara M, O'Donnell D. (2012) 'Critical thinking in the university curriculum - the impact on engineering education'. European Journal of Engineering Education, 37 (2):125-132. [Details] |
| O'Connor T; (2010) 'Healthy Places, Healthy People. A Handbook for Culturally Competent Community Nursing Practice, Dreher et al. (2006). Sigma Theta Tau International, Indianapolis'. Nurse education in practice, . [Details] |
| O'Connor T, Fealy G, Kelly M, McGuiness & Timmins F. ; (2009) 'An evaluation of a collaborative approach to the assessment of competence among nursing students of three universities in Ireland'. Nurse Education Today, 29 (5):493-499. [DOI] [Details] |
| O'Connor, T; Kelly, B; ; (2005) 'Bridging the gap: A study of general nurses' perceptions of patient advocacy in Ireland'. Nursing Ethics, 12 (5):453-467. [Details] |
| O'Connor, T. ; (2006) 'Commentary on Dewing, J. & Traynor V. Admiral nursing competency project: practice development and action research'. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 15 (11):1476-1477. [Details] | |||||||||
| O'Connor, T. ; (2002) 'Incorporating Caring in Nursing Curricula'. All Ireland Journal of Nursing, 2 (4):46-50. [Details] | |||||||||
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Conference Publications
| O'Connor, T. ; MacRuairc G., Ahern, A. and McNamara, M.; (2010) How do we find what we're looking for? DRHEA Forum Trinity College Dublin, [Details] |
| Ahern A, O¿Connor T., McNamara MS & McRuairc, G ; (2010) Critical thinking in the University Curriculum International Symposium for Enginering Education, Cork [Details] |
| O¿Connor T, MacRuairc G, Ahern A, & McNamara M. ; (2010) How do we find what we're looking for? UCD College of Life Sciences Inagural Teaching and Learning Symposium University College Dublin, [Details] |
| O'Connor, T; McNamara, M; Ahern, A; MacRuairc, G; O'Donnell, D. ; (2011) Theorising Critical Thinking in Nursing Education 3rd International Nursing & Midwifery Conference, NUI Galway [Details] |
| McRuairc G, Ahern A, McNamara, M and O'Connor T (2011) I'll know it when I see it! Critical Thinking in Higher Education Dublin Instititue of Technology, [Details] |
| McRuairc G, Ahern A , O'Connor T and McNamara MS (2011) Explicating Critical Thinking in the Academy: The Equality Imperative ECER conference Berlin September 2011 [Details] | |||||||||
| Ahern A, O'Connor T, McNamara M, McRuairc G (2011) Interpreting Critical Thinking for Engineering Education - the views of employers and academics International Conference on Engineering Education Belfast, , 21-AUG-11 - 27-AUG-11 [Details] | |||||||||
| O'Connor T; (2011) Men applying to nursing, a gendered decision 3rd International Nursing & Midwifery Conference, NUI Galway [Details] | |||||||||
| Ahern A, O'Connor T, McNamara M, MacRuairc G (2011) Interpreting critical thinking for engineering education - the views of employers and academics International Conference on Engineering Education [Details] | |||||||||
| OConnor T, Ahern A., McNamara M & MacRuairc G.; (2010) Developing critical thinking ability; the contribution of a university education EAIR Forum Valencia, Spain, , 01-SEP-10 - 04-SEP-10 [Details] | |||||||||
| Mac Ruairc G, Ahern A, McNamara MS and O Connor T; (2010) Graduate Attributes: Examining critical thinking in curriculum design, delivery and assessment Education and cultural change Helsinki, Finland, , 24-AUG-10 - 26-AUG-10 [Details] | |||||||||
| O'Connor Tom; (2009) Support for preceptors; an e-learning approach 2nd International Nursing and Midwifery Conference, NUI Galway , 06-APR-09 - 07-APR-09 [Details] | |||||||||
| O'Connor Tom & Sheridan Ann; (2008) Evaluation of Assessment Burden on Undergraduate Nursing and Midwifery Students 2nd Colloquium on University Teaching and Learning UCD [Details] | |||||||||
| Collins R., Nicklin L., Bla'un H., Connolly M., Kállayné Őry C., Mičetić-Turk, D., O Connor T., Osztatni Z., Procter P. and 'eleznik D.; (2006) A Living Curriculum--Developing a Nursing Curriculum for Older Person Care at Masters Level in Four European States 3rd international Summer School. Developing Research in Nursing University College of Nursing Studies, University of Maribor, Slovenia, , 28-JUN-06 - 01-JUL-06 [Details] | |||||||||
| Collins R. Nicklin L. Bla'un H. Connolly M. Kállayné Őry C. Mičetić-Turk, D. O Connor T. Osztatni Z. Procter P. 'eleznik D; (2006) A living curriculum-developing a nursing curriculum for older person care at masters level in four European States 3rd International Summer School. Developing Research in Nursing. University College of Nursing Studies, University of Maribor, Slovenia [Details] | |||||||||
| Collins, R., Connolly, M. & O'Connor, T.; (2005) A Living Curriculum - Developing a Nursing Curriculum for Older Person Care at Masters Level in Four European States 6th Annual Interdisciplinary Research Conference Dublin, Health Care Informatics Society of Ireland Dublin School of Nursing & Midwifery Studies - University of Dublin, Trinity College, , 16-NOV-05 - 16-NOV-05 [Details] | |||||||||
| Connolly M., Collins R., O'Connor T. ; (2005) Developing a Nursing Curriculum for Older Person Care at Masters Level in Four European States Health Service Executive, Nursing & Midwifery Planning & Development Unit Conference - Celebrating Person Centred Care in Older Person Services Dublin, Ireland, , 08-NOV-05 [Details] | |||||||||
| Collins R., Connolly M., O'Connor T. ; (2005) A Living Curriculum - Developing a Nursing Curriculum for Older Person Care at Masters Level in Four European States 6th Interdisciplinary Research Conference, School of Nursing & Midwifery Studies, University of Dublin Trinity College , 03-NOV-05 - 05-NOV-05 [Details] | |||||||||
| O'Connor T. & Patton, D ; (2008) ¿Do I always have to respect the patients wishes?¿: contradictions in being an advocate for people receiving inpatient mental healthcare 9th Annual Interdisciplinary Research ConferenceTransforming Healthcare through Research, Education & TechnologyTrinty College Dulbin [Details] | |||||||||
| O'Connor, T. Fealy , G, Kelly, M., Mc Guinness AM, & Timmins F. ; (2007) A Collaborative Approach to the Assessment of Competence among Nursing Students of Three Universities in Dublin, Ireland Practice Makes Perfect. Education of Health Professionals in Community, Clinical and Simulated Setting. Nov 2007 Vancouver, , 01-NOV-07 [Details] | |||||||||
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Published Reports
Fealy G, McNamara M, Casey M, Doyle L, O Connor T, Patton D, Quinlan C (2012) Evaluation of the National Clinical Leadership Development Project Pilot. University College Dublin, Dublin.  [Details] |
Editorial
| O'Connor, T; (2006) Commentary on Dewing J & Traynor V (2005) Admiral nursing competency project: practice development and action research. Journal of Clinical Nursing 14, 695-703. Editorial [DOI] [Details] |
Honours and Awards
| Year: 2009. Title: UCD Fellow in Teaching & Academic Development |
Conference Contributions
| O'Connor, Tom ; (2009) Support for preceptors; an e-learning approach. [International Refereed Conference], 2nd International Nursing and Midwifery Conference, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway , 06-APR-09 - 07-APR-09. |
| Patton D, O Connor T; (2008) Do I always have to respect the patients wishes? Contradictions in being an advocate for people receiving inpatient mental healthcare. [Oral Presentation], 9th Annual International Research Conference, Trinity College, Dublin , 05-NOV-08 - 07-NOV-08. |
| Collins R., Nicklin L.,Blazun H., Connolly M., Kállayné Őry C. Mičetić-Turk, D., O'Connor T., Osztatni Z. Procter P. 'eleznik D; (2006) Conference Scientific Committee. [Conference Organising Committee Member], Developing Research in Nursing, Moribor, Slovenia , 28-JUN-06 - 04-JUL-06. |
| Collins R. Nicklin L. Bla'un H. Connolly M. Kállayné Őry C. Mičetić-Turk, D. O Connor T. Osztatni Z. Procter P. 'eleznik D. ; (2006) A living curriculum-developing a nursing curriculum for older person care at masters level in four European States. [Refereed Abstracts], 3rd International Summer School. Developing Research in Nursing. University College of Nursing Studies, University of Maribor, Slovenia , 28-JUN-06 - 01-JUL-06. |
| Collins R., Connolly M., O'Connor T. ; (2005) A Living Curriculum - Developing a Nursing Curriculum for Older Person Care at Masters Level in Four European States. [Oral Presentation], 6th Annual Interdisciplinary Research Conference Dublin, Health Care Informatics Society of Ireland, Dublin , 16-NOV-05. |
| Collins, R., Connolly, M. & O'Connor, T.; (2005) A Living Curriculum - Developing a Nursing Curriculum for Older Person Care At Masters Level in Four European States. [Oral Presentation], School of Nursing & Midwifery Studies, University of Dublin Trinity College Interdisciplinary Research Conference, Dublin School of Nursing & Midwifery Studies - University of Dublin, Trinity College , 02-NOV-05 - 04-NOV-05. | |||||||||
| McHugh A., Fealy . G., Clancy A., Drennan J. & O'Connor T.; (2004) Developing and Implementing an E-Learning Strategy in a School of Nursing & Midwifery in the Republic of Ireland. [Oral Presentation], Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery 23rd International Nursing & Midwifery Research Conference, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin , 26-FEB-04 - 27-FEB-04. | |||||||||
| Fealy, G. M., Marie Carney, M. O'Connor, T. et al. ; (2004) Developing a new clinical assessment strategy: the UCD experience. [Refereed Abstracts], Session paper, 23rd Annual Nursing and Research Conference, Faculty of Nursing, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland , 01-FEB-04. | |||||||||
| Patton D and O Connor T; (2004) 'Respecting patient autonomy in psychiatric nursing : An oxymoron?'. [Refereed Abstracts], Session paper, 9th RCN European Conference on Mental Health Nursing, Dublin , 27-FEB-04 - 28-FEB-04. | |||||||||
| McHugh, A., Clancy, A., Drennan, J., Fealy, G. M., O'Connor, T.; (2003) 'Developing and implementing an e-learning strategy in a school of nursing and midwifery in the Republic of Ireland'. [Oral Presentation], Second Global Conference Virtual Learning and Higher Education, Mansfield College Oxford, UK , 12-SEP-03 - 12-SEP-03. | |||||||||
| O'Connor, T. ; (2003) Bridging the Gap: Practising Nurses' Perception of Patient Advocacy. [International Refereed Conference], NET Conference September 2003, Durham , 01-SEP-03. | |||||||||
| O'Connor, T; (2003) A study of practicing nurses perceptions of patient advocacy. [International Refereed Conference], 1st Ministry of Health International Nursing Conference, Singapore (accepted for presentation) August 2003, Singapore , 01-SEP-03. | |||||||||
| McHugh, A., Clancy, A., Drennan, J., Fealy, G. M., O'Connor, T; (2003) Developing and implementing an e learning strategy in a school of nursing and midwifery in the Republic of Ireland Session paper. [International Refereed Conference], Second Global Conference Virtual Learning and Higher Education, * , 12-SEP-03. | |||||||||
| Fealy, G. O'Connor, T. & Carney, M. ; (2004) Developing a New Clinical Assessment Strategy: the UCD experience. [National Refereed Conference Paper], RCSI 23rd Annual Nursing and Midwifery Research Conference, February, 2004, Roya lCollege of Surgeons , 01-FEB-04. | |||||||||
| O'Connor, T. ; (2004) Practicing Nurses' Perception of Patient Advocacy. [National Refereed Conference Paper], RCSI 23rd Annual Nursing and Midwifery Research Conference, February, 2004, * , 01-FEB-04. | |||||||||
| O'Connor, T. & Patton, D; (2004) Patient Advocacy Within Psychiatric Nursing: An Oxymoron?. [National Refereed Conference Paper], RCN Mental Health Conference, Dublin , 01-FEB-04. | |||||||||
| O'Connor, T, Collins, R. & Connolly, M. ; (2005) Developing a Nursing Curriculum for Older Person Care at Masters Level in Four European States. [National Refereed Conference Paper], Celebrating Person Centred Care in Older Person Services NMPDU Conference Sept 2005, Dublin , 08-SEP-05. | |||||||||
| O'Connor, T, Collins, R. & Connolly, M; (2005) A living curriculum-developing a nursing curriculum for the older person at Master's level in four European states. [National Refereed Conference Paper], 6th Annual Interdisciplinary Research Conference. Transforming Healthcare Through Research, Education & Technology November 2005, Dublin School of Nursing & Midwifery Studies - University of Dublin, Trinity College , 02-NOV-05 - 04-NOV-05. | |||||||||
| O'Connor, T. ; (2005) Developing a new competence assessment strategy: the experiences of an Irish University. [International Refereed Conference], Alps-Adriatic Conference of Health Care Education Oct. 2005, Szombathely, Hungary , 01-OCT-05. | |||||||||
| Collins, R., Connolly, M. & O'Connor, T.; (2006) Developing a Nursing Curriculum for Older Person Care at Masters Level in Four European States. [Oral Presentation], 3rd International Summer School, University of Moribor, Slovenia , 28-JUN-06 - 01-JUL-06. | |||||||||
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Education
| Year 2002 Institution: University of Ulster Qualification: MSc Subject: |
| Year 1996 Institution: * Qualification: RGN Subject: * |
| Year 1996 Institution: Florence Nightingale Institute Den Haag , The Netherlands Qualification: Diploma Subject: Nursing |
| Year 2000 Institution: RCSI Qualification: BNS Subject: * |
| Year 2001 Institution: * Qualification: RNT Subject: * |
| Year 2001 Institution: University of Ulster Qualification: PG DIP Subject: Education |
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Languages
| Dutch: |
Other Activities
| Clinical Experience: Extensive clinical experience at staff nurse and senior staff nurse level in a variety of fields, including, medical/surgical nursing, head and neck oncology and care of the older person, in Ireland, The Netherlands and Australia. |
Teaching Philosophy
| A good teacher makes complex thoughts and concepts easy for students to understand. Approaches to teaching and learning should vary according to the student, subject and context. |
Modules Coordinated
| 201100 NMHS30080 Nursing,Midwifery & Health Sys: Gen Nurs (Med-Surg II) |
| 201100 NMHS31870 Nursing,Midwifery & Health Sys: CPD Endoscopy/GI Nurs MMUH |
| 201100 NMHS31880 Nursing,Midwifery & Health Sys: CPD Periop Nursing MMUH |
| 201100 NMHS41760 Nursing,Midwifery & Health Sys: Leading Communities of Practic |
| 201100 NMHS20190 Nursing,Midwifery & Health Sys: Clin Plac Med-surg II (2)G |
| 201100 NMHS31860 Nursing,Midwifery & Health Sys: CPD Diabetes Nursing MMUH | |||||||||
| 201100 NMHS31710 Nursing,Midwifery & Health Sys: Foundation in Peri-op Nursing | |||||||||
| 201100 NMHS31850 Nursing,Midwifery & Health Sys: CPD CardiovascularNursing MMUH | |||||||||
| 201100 NMHS31840 Nursing,Midwifery & Health Sys: CPD CardioThoracic NursingMMUH | |||||||||
| 201100 NMHS20520 Nursing,Midwifery & Health Sys: Comparative health and nursing | |||||||||
| 201100 NMHS30280 Nursing,Midwifery & Health Sys: Teach and Assess in Practicum | |||||||||
| 201100 NMHS20500 Nursing,Midwifery & Health Sys: Researching nursing history | |||||||||
| 201100 NMHS20510 Nursing,Midwifery & Health Sys: Research at-risk older people | |||||||||
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Enhancement of Teaching
| I believe that teaching and learning never stands still and therefore there is an onus on teacher to continue to investigate and adjust teaching and leaning practice. Below are some significant projects which I have initiated or was involved in 2006-09 Bridging the Gap:Preceptors elearning support package. I was the Principle Investigator on a funded project to scope, design and build an elearning support package for preceptors of nursing and midwifery students on practice placements. The results of this project are visible at http://ucdpreceptors.hseland.ie/ 2008 Assessment audit project. This project involved looking at the assessment burden for students across all undergraduate majors in nursing and midwifery. I initiated an audit of assessment strategies with regard to type, nature and frequency across all majors. This culminated in the formation of a module coordinators forum which resulted in significant changes being agreed to assessment strategies across programmes. 2007 Absenteeism an Attendance project. I initiated and led a project to investigate patterns of students absenteeism and the reasons for non-attendance at lectures, tutorials and practice placements. I formed a group comprising academic staff and clinical staff in our partner health service organisations and subsequently carried out a major survey of students (585 responses in all) with regard to their reasons for absenteeism. The results of this survey are now being used to devise strategies to reduce students absenteeism. 2002- Competence assessment initiative. I have since 2002 been heavily involved in the devising and implementing of nursing and midwifery practice competence assessment tools and methodologies. This work involves extensive consultation with academic staff, students and clinical staff in our partners health service organisations. In this regard I have also carried out collaborative work with DCU and TCD. |
Review and Enhancement of Curriculum
| Module Enhancement project NMHS 30280 In this module I initiated an inverted classroom approach whereby classroom time was used for inactive group work following self directed e-learning exercises before classes. This was very positively evaluated by the students and the module evaluation scores are markedly increased since last year. |
Developing as a Teacher
| I endeavor to attend as many courses and seminars as possible with regard to teaching and learning in the college and university. I also play a key role in relaying information about such courses to my colleagues in the school and actively encourage attendance at events such as the annual Teaching and Learning Colloquium and the various support programmes offered within the university. My membership of the UCD SNMHS Teaching and Learning Strategy group also allows me to engage with teaching and learning matters across the school and beyond. |
Innovation & Leadership
| UCD Fellowship in Teaching and Academic Development 2009 Head of Teaching in the School of Nursing, Midwifery & Helath Systems from 2008-2010. |