Nursing - General Nursing - Tertiary Education Programme
This course is designed to give applicants the academic skills and competence to succeed at undergraduate level, the confidence to progress into a professional programme and the opportunity to undertake a rewarding career in nursing.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | Atlantic Technological University |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 NFQ |
| Award Name | Degree - Ordinary Bachelor (Level 7 NFQ) |
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | Atlantic Technological University |
| NFQ Level | Level 7 NFQ |
| Award Name | Level 6 Higher Certificate (Level 6 NFQ) |
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | Atlantic Technological University |
| NFQ Level | Level 6 NFQ |
| Award Name | Level 5 Certificate (Level 5 NFQ) |
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | QQI |
| NFQ Level | Level 5 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) | Major | Atlantic Technological University | Level 8 NFQ |
| Degree - Ordinary Bachelor (Level 7 NFQ) | Major | Atlantic Technological University | Level 7 NFQ |
| Level 6 Higher Certificate (Level 6 NFQ) | Major | Atlantic Technological University | Level 6 NFQ |
| Level 5 Certificate (Level 5 NFQ) | Major | QQI | Level 5 NFQ |
Duration
5 years
Entry Requirements
Entry Requirements and Eligibility
Leaving Certificate/LCVP or a Merit in Leaving Certificate Applied or a relevant QQI Level 4 certificate (UK and International equivalents will be considered)
or
QQI Level 4 award or equivalent
or
Mature applicants – (aged 23 on or before 1st January of the course commencement year). These applicants do not have to meet the minimum entry requirements listed here and are considered on an individual basis (previous education, work experience, and demonstration of competence to undertake the programme)
or
• An applicant who is a minimum of 17 years of age with at least 2 years post Junior Certificate relevant experience.
• In the event of over subscription priority will be given to applicants who demonstrate that they qualify for the special rate of maintenance grant under the Student Grant Scheme (SUSI) and/or are in receipt of a Department of Social Protection (DSP) long-term means-tested social welfare payment and/or be from one or more of the priority groups or from any priority group identified as part of the next National Access Plan (2022-2028).
• Applicants must demonstrate competence to undertake the programme.
Progression to 3rd Level study at ATU: To progress to the four-year undergraduate degree in General Nursing, successful students must achieve the full QQI Level 5 Award, with a minimum of five distinctions, which must include Anatomy and Physiology, Introduction to Nursing Theory and Practice and Human Growth and Development or Biology.
Careers / Further progression
Onward Pathways
Did you know all nursing graduates are highly sought after, with 100% employability potential upon graduation? Upon completion of the program and meeting the necessary requirements, graduates are eligible to enter the nursing register maintained by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) to become Registered General Nurses.
Graduates will be qualified to work in many health and community settings, including hospitals, clinics, community health centres, and other healthcare facilities, as well as opportunities to travel and work internationally. Graduate careers typically include working as a medical/surgical care nurse, clinical nurse specialist such as in renal, oncology or orthopaedics or a community public health or general practice nurse.
Further study opportunities within ATU are currently available in the following areas:
MSc in Palliative and End of Life Care
MSc in Quality and Safety in Health Care
MSc in Quality and Safety in Social Care
MSc in Advancing Health and Social Care
MSc in Therapeutic Interventions in Alcohol and Other Drugs
MSc in Advanced Practice (Nursing)
MSc in Professional Nursing Practice
ATU Level 8 qualifications are recognised worldwide for postgraduate entry. The programmes at Atlantic Technological University prepare students for global nursing.
It’s truly a fantastic career choice, and this course will prepare you for a fulfilling future.
Further information
20 places per location
Apply via the 'Application Weblink'.
Overview
This is a unique access route into BSc Hons in General Nursing with Atlantic Technological University across three ETB campuses in the West, North West region aimed at widening participation to communities and individuals who would not traditionally consider third-level education as option.
This course is designed to give applicants the academic skills and competence to succeed at undergraduate level, the confidence to progress into a professional programme and the opportunity to undertake a rewarding career in nursing.
This tertiary education programme aims to increase access to degree level education in several ways including increasing the number of locations regionally that students can begin their studies, enhancing flexibility through providing a number of programme paths, widening access through more flexible entry requirements which take account of the socio-economic and other barriers faced by eligible participants.
Incorporating the Level 5 Nursing Studies and the BSc (Hons) General Nursing, this innovative programme is one of the first of its kind to give the opportunity to students to start their preparation for the General Nursing degree programme in the FE sector leading to direct access to the third level college. Students will spend the first year of this programme in their local ETB (Education and Training Board) and then progress to the corresponding ATU Campus to undertake their four-year Nursing programme.
In addition to classroom lectures and laboratory sessions, the programs include supervised clinical rotations in various healthcare settings. These clinical experiences provide opportunities for students to apply their knowledge and skills in real-world healthcare environments under the guidance of experienced nurses (preceptors).
Each ETB will offer students additional support in the areas of mathematics, ICT and study skills to build knowledge and confidence in their next step to ATU.
Embedded Awards
This tertiary degree is a comprehensive 5 year programme. The programme is designed to support academic success despite challenges that may arise. If a student has to leave the programme before completing the final year, tertiary degrees include embedded awards. Embedded awards formally recognise learning achieved during time in the programme.
For this degree, the embedded awards are:
After successfully completing Year 1
NFQ level 5 Major Award in Nursing Studies from QQI
After successfully completing Year 3
NFQ level 6 Higher Certificate in Health Science from ATU
After successfully completing Year 4
NFQ level 7 Bachelor of Science in Health Science from ATU
The final NFQ level 8 Bachelor of Science (Hons) in General Nursing is awarded by ATU.
Provider Locations
Location(s)for NFQ L5 study
FET Centre, Ard Na Greine, St Patrick Street, Castlerea, Co Roscommon
Locations for Nursing Undergraduate study
ATU Mayo, Castlebar
Students in year one will complete QQI Level 5 Nursing Studies (5M4349):
• Anatomy & Physiology 5N0749
• Nursing Theory & Practice 5N34425
• Human Growth & Development 5N1279
• Work Practice 5N1433
• Communications 5N0690
• Infection Prevention & Control 5N3734
• Care of the Older Person 5N2706
• Care Skills 5N2770
As well as additional elements such as First Aid Response, People Manual Handling, and 150 hrs clinical placement in a Healthcare setting.
Then from year two students progress to ATU to complete the BSc (Hons) in General Nursing at ATU, Mayo Campus
A four-year degree program in general nursing, typically known as a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Nursing, is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to become Registered General Nurses (RGNs) and enter the professional practice of nursing through the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland. The curriculum is comprehensive, combining theoretical education with practice based teaching and clinical experiences.
While specific courses and program structures may vary between each of the ATU sites, here are some common components you can expect to find on the program:
1. Basic Sciences.
2. Nursing Theory and Practice
3. Clinical Skills
4. Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
5. Medical-Surgical Nursing
6. Specialist areas include but not limited to paediatrics, obstetrics and mental health
7. Community and Public Health Nursing
8. Leadership and Management
9. Research and Evidence-Based Practice
Further Education Guidance Service for Galway and Roscommon ETB:
E: tertiary@gretb.ie
Claire Fiddaman
Programme Development Co-ordinator Tertiary Education
E: tertiary@atu.ie
Maria Doherty
Programme Manager
E: nto@dletb.ie