Are you disheartened in your current career because it doesn’t mean anything to you? Do you find yourself dreaming about doing a job that really makes a difference to the lives of others? Are you a naturally warm and caring person who would thrive in an environment helping people? Have you ever considered a career in nursing? It could be just the ticket to the personal and job satisfaction you crave.
Nursing is a very popular career choice – as much for those changing careers from other non-nursing backgrounds as for those who pursue it as their first career. Various different reasons and circumstances can prevent someone from pursuing it as their first career – from not gaining enough Leaving Certificate points to financial hardship or personal problems – and increasingly more and more people are returning to do it later in life after spending time in completely unrelated career areas. Many nurses find the pull towards the “caring profession” so strong because the diversity of the job and level of personal interaction involved makes it as rewarding as it is challenging. The fact that there are so many part-time and distance learning courses available makes it all the easier for those who cannot afford to give up their current occupation while training to become a nurse.
Courses in nursing include entrance diplomas as well as diplomas in specific areas of nursing. Distance learning options mean that it is even possible to attain a degree in nursing studying from home. Kilroy College offers a e-Learning course in Entrance Diploma which would help anyone who is considering entry to nursing. Courses such as the Entrance Diploma are extremely useful in giving you an insight into the broad spectrum of work covered by a degree in nursing and in the nursing profession more generally. Oscail, the National Distance Education Centre, provides an e-Learning Bachelor of Nursing degree programme which usually takes between 2 and 3 years to complete. All applicants should be registered with An Bord Altranais, or be eligible to do so. Students who have completed the current Registration/Diploma programme will be offered direct entry to the degree level modules. Students trained under the traditional system will be assessed by an APCL (Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning) Board.
Evening courses are also available – such as Sligo VEC’s 2-year Nursing Studies programme, which awards graduates with FETAC level 2 certificate as well as a First Aid certificate. The Leaving Certificate or its equivalent is usually required for entry to this course, though it is not mandatory. Students who do not possess the educational requirements but have a particular interest or experience in this work area will be considered. Mature students without formal qualifications are also welcome. The course covers a wide range of topics which include: Anatomy & Physiology, Introduction to Nursing, Biology, Human Growth and Development, Child Development, Communications, Word Processing, Safety and Health at Work, and Caring for Children in addition to work experience. Free tuition is offered to people in receipt of social welfare entitlements, means-tested welfare, medical holders & their dependants. A reduction of up to 70% is offered to other unwaged learners with less than Leaving Certificate education or equivalent.
To find courses in your area and to explore the range of distance learning options go to the National Education Database section of our website.
