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General Nursing – BSc (Hons)

  • CAO Points: 370

  • Campus: Athlone

  • years: 4


Course Overview

This course involves the study of theoretical and practice-based modules. It involves classroom teaching and taught placements in a variety of clinical and non-clinical settings. This honours degree programme takes advantage of the various areas of expertise available at the three regional hospitals in the Health Service Executive Midlands area in Tullamore, Portlaoise and Mullingar.

You will undergo a total of 2,925 hours clinical study and 1,740 hours theoretical study. Successful completion of the programme leads to the award of a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in General Nursing from TUS and registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland. Registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland as a Registered General Nurse (RGN) allows you to work as a general nurse nationally and internationally.

Additional Information
TUS uses the Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU) to assess the suitability of applicants to this programme. This is due to the considerable amount of placements undertaken with children and vulnerable groups in society. Therefore, offers to this programme are conditional and could subsequently be withdrawn if applicants do not meet the Garda vetting requirements.

Vaccinations Alert for all Nursing and Healthcare students, please note that

(1) As health care students, vaccinations may be advocated not only in the interest of the individual student, but also as a protection to health service users and workers, some of whom may have medical vulnerabilities. Getting vaccinated helps to protect people around students, particularly people at increased risk for severe illness from certain viruses.

(2) Access to educational opportunities in some healthcare settings may not be granted to healthcare students if they are not and will not agree to vaccination that is not otherwise contraindicated. In many instances it may not be possible for the Higher Educational Institutions to provide alternative training/educational opportunities to replace this access. As placements are a critical component of nursing programmes and are regulated Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland requirements, this in turn may delay progression through and potential completion of a nursing educational programme at TUS.

Full details of the HSEs COVID19 vaccination programme can be found at: COVID-19 vaccines – HSE.ie

Professional Recognition:

Successful completion of the programme leads to the award of a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Nursing in General Nursing from TUS and registration with An Bord Altranais. The award of a Registered General Nurse (RGN) is nationally and internationally recognised.

Contact Details

Dr. Laura Dempsey

Email: Laura.Dempsey@tus.ie

What are the entry requirements?

Leaving Certificate

Grade H5 at higher level in two subjects, plus Grade O6/H7 in four other subjects in the Leaving Certificate. These subjects must include Mathematics, a laboratory science subject and a language (English or Irish).

QQI

Places are available for applicants with a QQI-FET Level 5 award in Nursing Studies, Community and Health Services, Healthcare Support, or Health Service Skills. A minimum of Distinction (80% or greater) in five modules must be achieved and must include three of the following modules: Anatomy and Physiology, Nurse Theory and Practice, and either Human Growth and Development or Biology.

Mature Applicants

Mature applicants are not required to meet these minimum entry requirements. However, they will be required to undertake a written assessment. Further information may be obtained online at www.nursingboard.ie.

International Applicants

International applicants should apply directly to the International Office at TUS, allowing plenty of time for completing the visa process. Applications for September start should be made by 1st June at the latest to ensure visas are processed in time. You should familiarise yourself with visa processing times for your country of origin to ensure you make a timely application. Find out more here.

Course Modules

  • Anatomy

  • Physiology & Microbiology

  • Preparation for Practice (General Nursing)

  • Principles & Practice of General Nursing Care

  • Clinical Placement (General Nursing)

  • Learning and Development in Higher Education

  • Psychology and Communication

  • Care of the Surgical Patient

  • Anatomy, Physiology & Pharmacology

  • Primary Health

  • Maternity

  • Child and Community

  • Nursing Sociology and Health

  • Professional, Legal and Ethical Issues in General Nursing

  • Introduction to Mental Health and Illness (General Nursing)

  • Holistic Care for Patients with Cardiac and Respiratory Health Studies

  • Clinical Placement (General)

  • Chronic Illness

  • Holistic care for Patients with Nutritional and Gastrointestinal Disorders

  • Sexual Health in Nursing

  • Emergency and Critical Care Nursing

  • Renal Endocrine and Biliary Disorders

  • Research Appreciation

  • Oncology and Haematology Clinical Placement (General Nursing)

  • Applied Sociology and Applied Psychology General Neurological

  • Special Senses and Musculoskeletal Disorders

  • Care of the Older Person (General Nursing)

  • Law and Ethics

  • Health Studies

  • Implementing Evidence in General Nursing Practice

  • Preparation for Internship (General Nursing)

  • Professional Issues in General Nursing

  • Clinical Placement (General Nursing)

  • Clinical Placement Internship (General Nursing)

What can you do after this programme?

You may apply for positions at staff nurse grade within the Irish health care sector and you are also eligible to apply for registration as nurses throughout the EU and further afield.

Successful graduates of this programme are eligible for Level 9 and 10 postgraduate programmes within TUS or elsewhere.