Course Summary
Nurses are problem-solvers with a natural tendency to care about how people feel and usually have qualities such as resilience, empathy, reliability, integrity and good communication skills are leading qualities in the nursing field.
Nurses play a critical role in society, helping people to achieve, maintain or regain the best possible health while also offering patients support and dignity. During this course, you’ll develop deep nursing knowledge, along with skills such as critical thinking, reflective practice, research principles and problem-based learning. You’ll learn how to ensure the care you deliver as a compassionate and committed nurse is current and evidence-based.
Extensive practical experience
DCU offers this four-and-a-half-year course in partnership with health service providers from both the public and private healthcare sectors. You’ll complete several placements in each year of the programme, across adult and children’s hospitals as well as community facilities, along with a 36-week internship in years four and five.
Once you graduate, you can apply to register as both a Children’s and a General nurse to the Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI). You’ll be qualified to work as a nurse in hospitals, the community, schools, and nursing homes in Ireland or overseas, with work opportunities in the UK, Australia, Canada and the US in particular. You can also choose to go on to postgraduate study.
Academic Spotlights - Mindful of Dementia
When Professor Kate Irving of DCU’s School of Nursing and Human Sciences was working as a nurse in the 1990s, she had an experience that would change her outlook on dementia care. Click HERE to find out more.
College Link
College Virtual Tour
Career Sectors
This course prepares you for working in the Career Sectors below. Follow the links to get a fuller understanding of the sectors you are preparing for.
Language Options
* Time abroad utilising this language
Disclaimer: Details subject to change - always check with the college.
Entry Requirements
Disclaimer: Details subject to change - If this is a course you are considering applying for you should check on the Colleges' website to ensure you have the latest entry requirements information.
To view Mature Entry requirements, or alternative requirements, please visit Qualifax or the Colleges' website
If you believe the data above to be incorrect, please let us know at [email protected] - thank you.
QQI / FET Links
PLC courses leading to the following QQI Major Awards may be used for entry into this course.
Search for PLC Courses offering these awards
(Click on the Codes)
Note: Information for 2024 Entry | |
Award Code | Award Title |
5M3782 | Health Service Skills |
5M4339 | Healthcare Support |
5M4349 | Nursing Studies |
5M4468 | Community Health Services |
Points Calculator for QQI Awards:
Details of the QQI scoring system and a points calculator can be found HERE
The Student
Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests. If these interests do not describe you, this course may prepare you for work you may not find satisfying.
Social
The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.
Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.
Investigative
The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.
Realist
Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.
Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.
Career Progression
Upon graduation, your internationally recognised degree will qualify you to work as a Nurse both at home and abroad. You’ll also be eligible for professional registration with Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).
You’ll find work opportunities in the community, schools, general practice, occupational health, and traditional hospitals and care facilities. Career pathways also exist in clinical practice, management, education and research.
Further Research
DISCLAIMER: These links are to official sources of information for this course - we accept no responsibility for the information on them.