General Nursing

Bachelor of Science (Honours)

Course Details

CAO Code	AU991
Level	8
Duration	4 Years
CAO Points	346 (2024)
Method of Delivery	On-campus
Campus Locations	St Angelas
Mode of Delivery	Full Time
Work placement	Yes

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Course Overview

The Bachelor of Science (Hons) in General Nursing, is a four year degree pre-registration course. On completion of the course, graduates will be eligible to register as a General Nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) having obtained an university accredited honours degree awarded. The course is offered in conjunction with Sligo University Hospital and other Health Service Executive (HSE) organisations and groups in the Western region. The overall aim of this course is to enable students to become nurses who are knowledgeable, insightful, questioning, skilled and caring.

What is General Nursing?
General Nurses care for persons of all ages, in hospitals, GP practices and in the communities where they live. They work as part of a team of health care professionals (Doctor; Physiotherapist; Occupational therapists etc.) who look after a person’s physical; psychological; spiritual and social wellbeing. They care for persons with various types of conditions (acute & chronic physical illnesses) and also have a key role in helping those who have had an illness to recover to their optimum well-being. Another dimension of the role of a general nurse is to teach ‘healthy’ persons how to maintain their health through adopting healthy lifestyle practices (e.g. Not smoking). During the programme students will get the opportunity to observe and participate in the care provided by general nurses in a wide variety of areas such as: Medical and surgical wards; Accident & Emergency; Home Nursing/Community; Intensive care; Care of the elderly; Maternity & Child care; Operating Theatre; Mental Health & Psychiatry.

This programme is four calendar years in duration. The practice of nursing is at the heart of the course. Each year of study of the programme is divided into two semesters (September-December and January-May) and within each semester students will study on average four modules. Modules are both theory and clinically based. Two thirds of the theory component of the programme is devoted to nursing subjects, one sixth to science subjects and one sixth to the social sciences. In order to meet a variety of learning styles, we use various methods of teaching such as lectures, seminars, group work, role play, workshops, and practical skills training. We assess learning through essays; exams; posters; group presentations and by observing students completing a nursing skill.

Progression

Many graduates choose to undertake further study in order to enhance their nursing practice and career opportunities. We offer a number of Postgraduate options which include:

Nursing/Professional Studies
International Healthcare Management
Disability Studies
Applied Health and Wellness Coaching
Professional Development Standalone Modules

Further details of these Postgraduate opportunities are found HERE

Nationwide, there are a host of programmes that nursing graduates can pursue after attaining an initial degree.

Download a prospectus

Undergraduate Prospectus

Entry Requirements

Leaving Certificate Entry Requirement	6 subjects at O6/H7 2 subjects at H5 Maths at O6/H7 English or Irish at O6/H7 Biology or Chemistry or Physics or Physics with Chemistry or Agricultural Science at O6/H7
QQI/FET Major Award Required	One of the following awards: DCHSN/ 5M4349 – Nursing Studies DCHSX/ 5M4468 – Community Health DHSXX/ 5M4339 – Healthcare Support 5M3782 Health Service Skills
Additional QQI/FET Requirements	5 Distinctions which must include: D20001 or 5N0749 Anatomy and Physiology D20012 or 5N4325 Introduction to Nursing or Nursing Theory and Practice D20032 or 5N1279 or C20006 or 5N2746 Human Growth and Development or Biology
Garda Vetting	Entrants to this programme will be required to undergo vetting by An Garda Síochána.
Medical Evaluation	Successful applicants for this degree may be required to undergo a medical evaluation. The purpose of the evaluation is to identify students with special exercise requirements. This information is strictly confidential and any offer made will not be withdrawn on the basis of medical information supplied. Certain vaccinations may also be required depending on the work placement.

Advanced Entry

Applications are welcome for entry to stage 2 of a programme at ATU, following completion of a cognate QQI FET Level 6 Major award.

Transfers into years two, three or four are also welcome from those who have completed learning in a cognate area in another Higher-Level Institute (HEI).

Apply for Year 2, 3 or 4

Advanced Entry Information

“As a mature student studying General Nursing at ATU St Angela’s, I found acclimatising to student life a challenge at first, having to reawaken the academic side of my brain, but with the exemplary student support services and the friendly learning atmosphere it became achievable. The lecturers are all experts in their fields, and they have a passion for their subject that is infectious. The additional support in the Dudley Practice Area meant I could put in more practice time which really prepared us well for placement. The programme itself is incredibly interesting and varied, covering everything from nurse practice skills to law. Studying here not only has given me the skills and attributes to become a great nurse but also to grow as a person. The friends you make here will last a lifetime”
Emily Kelly , General Nursing

Fees

Total Fees EU: €3000

This annual student contribution charge is subject to change by Government. Additional tuition fees may apply. Click on the link below for more information on fees, grants and scholarships.

Further information on fees

Professional Accreditation

Graduates will be eligible to register as a General Nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) having obtained a university accredited honours degree.

Careers

This programme will provide students with an academic and professional qualification that is recognised world-wide. Graduates will be in a position to work in a variety of settings such as general ward based nursing; the community or in specialists areas such as Accident and Emergency Department or Health promotion units. Once some nursing experience is gained graduates may decide to specialise in a particular type of nursing or consider branching into another discipline of nurse (e.g. midwifery); management or education. As a nurse there are career opportunities available at regional, national and international levels.

Work Placement
In each semester students will undertake at least one clinical module whereby time will be spent in the hospital or community learning the art of general nursing. Students spend over half of the programme in the hospital or community settings. In the final year students are in the hospital or community from January to September and are very much part of the team of health care professionals delivering care.

Students undertaking the General Nursing programme will have placements within the Saolta University Health Care group (e.g. Sligo/Galway/Roscommon), community hospitals, and placements in mental health, Intellectual Disability, private nursing homes and in primary care, across the region and beyond (e.g. Sligo, Galway). This list is not exhaustive.

The development of placements for the Nursing Programmes is ongoing which includes extending placement locations into various parts of the region/country. Students will therefore be required to travel and/or avail of accommodation. It is the responsibility of the student to arrange travel and alternative accommodation for placement when required. An allowance for travel to selected external placements and accommodation is available for nursing students by the HSE, however, this allowance is only a contribution towards travel and accommodation and may not meet the full costs/expenses incurred during these external placements.

Study Abroad
ATU St. Angela’s can offer Erasmus+ opportunities to BSc Student Nurses. Please contact your Year Leader and the International Office for further information.