Careers in Nursing and Midwifery

Nursing and Midwifery are very dynamic and diverse professions that enable you to grow and develop throughout your career. The three core values that underpin this sector are Compassion, Care and Commitment. If you believe that you genuinely care about individuals and their health and wellbeing, then Nursing or Midwifery could be for you.

What are the different types of Nursing Degrees in the C.A.O. system?

·       Children’s and General Nursing (Integrated)

·       General Nursing

·       Intellectual Disability Nursing

·       Midwifery

·       Psychiatric Nursing

Children’s and General Nursing (Integrated) provide nursing care for children, young people and their families. These programmes offer a dual registration in both children’s nursing and general nursing enabling nurses to work with individuals across the spectrum. D.C.U., Trinity, U.C.D. and U.C.C. offer level 8 (Hons) Degrees in Children’s and General Nursing. In 2020, C.A.O points ranged from 500 – 533 depending on the college.

General Nursing provides nursing care to patients and works within a multi-disciplinary care team, to enable patients to achieve the most successful healthcare outcomes. Nursing is an interpersonal caring process that acknowledges the uniqueness of the patient. Letterkenny I.T., Athlone I.T., Dundalk I.T., D.C.U., St. Angela’s College Sligo, U.C.C., U.C.D., University of Limerick, N.U.I.G., G.M.I.T., I.T. Tralee and Trinity all offer Level 8 (Hons.) Degrees in General Nursing. In 2020, C.A.O. points ranged from 400 – 476 depending on the college.  

Intellectual Disability Nursing provides nursing care to people, both children and adults, with intellectual disabilities across their lifespan. They also work with their families and a multidisciplinary team in a variety of settings. Letterkenny I.T., Dundalk I.T., D.C.U., St. Angela’s College Sligo, Trinity, U.C.C., University of Limerick and Waterford I.T. all offer level 8 (Hons.) Degrees.  In 2020, C.A.O. points ranged from 326 – 420 depending on the college.

Psychiatric/ Mental Health Nursing involves working with people who are experiencing mental health challenges such as anxiety and depression. Psychiatric/ Mental Health nurses work with the person and their family. They support them on their journey through their time of distress facilitating them to find hope, control and opportunity on their recovery journey. Letterkenny I.T., G.M.I.T., Athlone I.T., Dundalk I.T., D.C.U., N.U.I.G., Trinity, U.C.C., U.C.D., University of Limerick and Waterford I.T. all offer level 8 (Hons) programmes in Psychiatric/ Mental Health Nursing. In 2020, the C.A.O. points range from 357- 440 depending on the college.

Midwifery involves caring and supporting women during pregnancy, labour and birth, and following birth. Midwives have a key role in health promotion and education for women, their babies, and their wider family circle. N.U.I. Galway, Trinity, University College Cork, U.C.D., University of Limerick and Dundalk I.T. all offer level 8 (Hons) Degrees in Midwifery. In 2020, C.A.O. points ranged from 440- 495 depending on the college.

What can I do if I do not get the points for Nursing?

Nursing is a rewarding career and nurses are in demand now more than ever. It is competitive, as a school leaver, to gain a place on a college degree. There are other options available to enable learners to enter a career in Nursing if they do not gain the necessary Leaving Cert. points. Some pursue a one- year Post Leaving Cert. Level 5 course in Nursing Studies. Successful students who achieve a minimum of five distinctions are entitled to apply for places reserved for FET/QQI graduates on several third-level nursing degree courses.

Another option that school leavers have pursued is through the Northern Ireland system. Students can complete a two -year BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Health Sciences in the North West Regional College. Upon successful completion, apply for the three - year Nursing degree programmes in Northern Ireland or the UK. Nursing Degree programmes in the Republic of Ireland are four years. This entry route would take five years to be fully- qualified but it enables learners to access their dream career that may have been unattainable through the Leaving Cert. system.

Application to Nursing through the UCAS system

University of Ulster and Queen’s University Belfast also offer degrees in Nursing. Ulster University offers Adult (General) Nursing and Mental Health Nursing. Queen’s University Belfast offers Adult (General) Nursing, Children’s Nursing, Learning Disability Nursing and Midwifery. Application is through UCAS and the deadline is the 15th January 2021. Applicants are invited for interview as part of the application process in these Universities. There are many universities in England, Scotland and Wales that offer Nursing degrees. For more information on courses there, go to www.ucas.com.

Some people enter various disciplines in Nursing initially and as their career progresses, specialise in a specific type that may be of interest to them. For example, someone may begin their career as a General Nurse and then complete an 18- month Higher Diploma in Midwifery in N.U.I.G. to specialise as a Midwife. Another General Nurse may take a specific interest in the area of Diabetes and complete a one- year Postgraduate Diploma in Diabetes to become a Diabetic Nurse. These are just two examples but there are many options of specialisms within Nursing making it an exciting and diverse sector to be a part of.

If you are thinking of becoming a Nurse and would like more information in relation to pathways or applications, contact McCullagh Careers today to schedule an appointment at info@mccullaghcareers.ie or 0872120527.