Nursing (General)
DC215

Nursing (General)

Course Details

CAO Code:
DC215
Course Type:
Undergraduate
NFQ Level:
8 - Please see www.qqi.ie for further information
Placement:
Yes
Delivery Mode:
Full-time
Minimum Points
411
Duration:
4 yr
Phone:
+353 (0) 1
700 5947

If you have a genuine interest in people and love the idea of working with people of all ages and from diverse backgrounds, nursing could be for you.

Overview

Overview Icon

Nurses play a critical role in society. They help people to achieve, maintain or regain independence and the best possible health, and at other times they provide comfort, support and dignity. 

This course will give you the knowledge, skills and professional values to work as an effective and compassionate nurse. During each semester, you¡¯ll complete a clinical placement, which ensures you¡¯ll meet the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) requirements. Our health service provider partners ¨C Beaumont Hospital and Connolly Hospital ¨C offer diverse clinical settings, giving you a broad range of clinical learning opportunities. 

Also, the Erasmus+ exchange programme is open for application to all 2nd year nursing students and takes place in semester 1 of 3rd year. ´ó·¢ÌåÓýÔÚÏß_´ó·¢ÌåÓý-Ͷע|¹ÙÍø out more about this placement exchange on our International Placement webpage.

A world of opportunity
Once you complete this internationally recognised degree, you can register as a nurse with the NMBI and work in Ireland or overseas. You¡¯ll be qualified for roles in acute hospital settings, in the community, schools, general practice, occupational health, and traditional hospitals and care facilities. 

Qualified nurses are sought after internationally, so graduates can always work and travel abroad. You could also opt to pursue a career in clinical management, education or research.

DCU People

Profile picture of Niamh Guthrie
Niamh Guthrie
Student

Ever since I was little, I always dreamed of being a nurse. I liked the idea of helping and learning about different people. I¡¯d like to work in children¡¯s nursing after I graduate.


Read more about Niamh Guthrie
Profile picture of Anne Kirwan
Anne Kirwan
Staff

My research spans both clinical practice and education, and the interface where they meet.


Read more about Anne Kirwan

Careers & Further Options

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Careers

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 Cn¨¢imhseachais na h?ireann (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.

  • Education
  • General Nurse
  • Research
Education
General Nurse
Research

DCU graduates are highly sought after by employers. Our Graduates work in environments ranging from large multinationals to SMEs, family businesses and start-ups across every sector.

DCU Careers Service has a number of learning and development initiatives in place for our students, giving them the skills they need for a successful career path.

Go to our Careers site to find out more about career planning, our mentorship programme, skills development and online resources for students when working on CVs and making applications.

Entry Requirements

Entry Requirements Icon

In addition to the general entry requirements for admission to the university the following entry requirements apply

Minimum of O6 or H7 in Mathematics and minimum of O6 or H7 in one of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Physics with Chemistry or Agricultural Science

In addition to the general entry requirements for admission to the university the following entry requirements apply

GCE A Level D or GCE AS Level D or GCSE C Mathematics and GCE A Level D or GCE AS Level D or GCSE C in one of Physics, Chemistry , Biology, Physics with Chemistry or Agricultural Science

Please visit our Admissions webpage for details on course requirements or how to apply to DCU.

 

Please visit our QQI FET webpage for details on DCU courses, open days, campus tours or school visits.

 

To apply to DCU, please visit www.cao.ie.

 

No entry path

International candidates are expected to have educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to those outlined above. In addition, where such candidates are non-native speakers of the English language they must satisfy the university of their competency in the English language. ´ó·¢ÌåÓýÔÚÏß_´ó·¢ÌåÓý-Ͷע|¹ÙÍø here for further information on international applications.

Course Structure

Course Structure Icon

 (All Nursing Disciplines)

  • Personal and Professional Development 
  • Core Nursing Skills 
  • Psychology 
  • Sociology of Health and Illness 
  • Caring and Communication in Nursing 
  • Anatomy and Physiology 
  • Clinical Practice Placements

Year 1 Stream Specialisms

  • General Nursing 
  • Understanding Intellectual Disability 
  • Mental Health Nursing 
  • Children¡¯s Nursing 

Year 1 Options (General Nursing)

  • Skills for Success 
  • Intercultural Communication

General Nursing Year 2

  • Principles of Caring for Specific Patients 
  • Caring for the Adult

Year 2 Options General and Mental Health Nursing

  • Anthropology, Health and Illness 
  • Humanities and Health 
  • Pain Management 
  • Sexuality and Sexual Health

Year 2 (All Nursing Disciplines)

  • Personal and Professional Development  
  • Clinical Pharmacology for Nursing Practice 
  • Altered Bodily Processes 
  • Research and Nursing Practice  
  • Clinical Practice Placements

Year 2 Options General and Mental Health Nursing

  • Anthropology, Health and Illness 
  • Humanities and Health 
  • Pain Management 
  • Sexuality and Sexual Health

Year 3 (All Nursing Streams)

  • Ethics in Nursing 
  • Research and Nursing Practice 
  • Clinical Practice Placement

General Nursing Year 3

  • General Nursing 

Year 3 Options (General, Mental Health and Intellectual Disability Nursing)

  • Palliative Care 
  • Clinical Judgement and Decision Making 
  • Introduction to Critical Care Nursing Working for Inclusion

Year 4 (All Nursing Streams)

  • Nursing Informatics, Management and Leadership 
  • Health Promotion in a Multicultural Context 
  • Research Enquiry 
  • Clinical Practice Placement

General Nursing Year 4

  • General Nursing

Fees and Funding

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Fees

Student Contribution.
€3,043 per annum
EU Status Fee
€7,149 per annum
Non EU Fee.
€15,000 per annum

How To Apply

How To Apply Icon

Applicants presenting EU/FETAC Level 5 examinations: Apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO) by 1st February or 1st May

Applicants presenting qualifications from outside of the EU can apply directly to DCU by July 1st via our online application portal here.

All candidates are required to apply through CAO. Mature Entry is for those that are 23 years of age or older by 1st January in the year of entry, applicants are also required to sit a test. Candidates are assessed by the Nursing Careers Centre (NCC) of An Bord Altranais agus Cn¨¢imhseachais na h?ireann (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland, NMBI). 

Mature entry route is based on applying for a nursing course via www.cao.ie by 1st February or late application date of 1st May. Applicants can also avail of the change of mind facility on CAO up to 1st July. Although it is possible to make a late application to mature nursing, it is not possible to apply late for other mature entry routes. Other mature entry routes should be applied for by 1st February, to ensure they can engage in any mature assessments.

For details please visit: www.nursingcareers.ie or email: careersinformation@NMBI.ie to request a copy of their nursing and careers booklet.

 

No entry path

Candidates submitting EU examination results are required to apply through the CAO at www.cao.ie

Candidates submitting non-EU examination results are required to apply directly here.
 

Life On Campus

Life on Campus
DCU Campus Glasnevin

DCU Glasnevin Campus

FAQs

FAQ Icon

What is the ratio of practical experience to lecture-based learning?
Approve 50:50

When and where do I complete my hospital placements?
Each year you will have the opportunity to practise nursing in the clinical setting in your linked healthcare service. These are called ¡®practice placements¡¯. During Years 3 and 4 longer periods are spent on these practice placements. In the last six months of the nursing programme, students do an internship (paid) in the healthcare setting.

Is there an Erasmus as part of the Nursing course?
Yes, Erasmus opportunities are available, further information is available on the School of Nursing, Psychotherapy and Community Health International Placement webpage.