Course Summary
Course Category: PLC (Further Education - FET) - Apply directly to College
This one-year course will aim to prepare participants for work with people in a hospital, respite care, social care, community development or residential setting. The nurse needs the social, communication and caring skills to work with individuals and groups. Nursing Studies will lay a foundation for these skills and provide the work experience to put learning into practice. This programme is ideal for both school leavers and experienced mature persons seeking a formal education. The aim of the course is to provide the academic and practical foundation for entry into nurse training as well as the social and human skills necessary for the career.
Course Details
This course prepares you for working in the following Career Sectors:
What will you study?
-
Nursing Theory and Practice
Communications
Anatomy and Physiology
Word Processing
Biology
Work Experience
Human Growth and Development
Mathematics
Care of the Older Person
Maternity Care Support
Infection Prevention and Control
Care Skills
Caring for Children in Hospital
Understanding Mental Health
Important
- Colleges may add/remove modules to keep the course updated and to meet demands.
- Almost all PLC courses have a Work Experience module, which requires students to find their own placement in an area directly related to their course.
Progression to CAO Courses
Higher Education Links Scheme (HELS)
This course leads to a QQI Major Award, and provides progression opportunities to a number of Higher Education courses, including those in the CAO.
To view CAO courses to which this award provides a possible progression route, click below:
| QQI Code |
| 5M4349 |
To calculate Points based on your QQI award results, use the PLC Points Calculator.
The Student - Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:
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.
Further Research
National Statistics for this Award (All Ireland)
The following data provides general information about this Award from colleges across Ireland.
Disclaimer: These links are to web sites outside of CareersPortal and we accept no responsibility for the information on them.
Career Progression
Graduates may pursue a degree in many of the Institutes of Technology around the country to study General, Psychiatric, Mental Health or Children’s Nursing. They may alternatively seek immediate employment in a range of hospitals, community care, and healthcare initiatives.
There are now many nursing degree courses available to graduates on the newly expanded QQI links programme in colleges like DCU, UCD, Trinity, TU Dublin - Blanchardstown, Carlow College, Maynooth University (incl. St. Patrick’s College), Athlone IT, TU Dublin, Dundalk Institute of Technology, Galway Mayo Institute, National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG), St. Angela’s College Sligo, University of Limerick, IT Carlow, Letterkenny IT, St Angela’s Sligo, Tralee IT, UCC, and Waterford Institute of Technology.
Nursing graduates can also access one of the over places in First Arts in Maynooth University. The qualification can also be used for entry into third level courses in the Social Care/ Social Studies area. This course will also help you to seek out links to the many nursing degree programmes in the UK like The University of West London, Edge Hill University, Southampton University, Staffordshire University, Liverpool, Bath, South Bank, Edinburgh (Scotland) and Bangor University (Wales), where the college has close links.