BSc (Hons) in General Nursing
Three great reasons to consider this course
- Internationally recognised degree that prepares you for the role of Registered General Nurse with excellent employment opportunities.
- State of the art teaching facilities and clinical skills laboratories.
- Practical experience in each stage of the programme in a variety of hospitals and healthcare services throughout the Louth-Meath, Cavan-Monaghan region.
Course Summary
The aim of the four-year BSc (Hons) in General Nursing course is to prepare general nursing students to become competent, knowledgeable and accountable nurses who can provide holistic, evidence-based care for service users in a variety of health care settings. Learning takes place in the classroom, Clinical Skills Laboratory and in a variety of clinical practice settings throughout the HSE Louth-Meath, Cavan-Monaghan area.
The BSc (Hons) in General Nursing course prepares students to meet the Standards and Requirements of Pre-Registration Nurse Education for General Nursing (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland, 2016). On successful completion of this course, the student is eligible to register with NMBI as a General Nurse (RGN) and is awarded a BSc. (Hons) In General Nursing.
This four-year full-time degree course is offered in partnership with the Health Service Executive, RCSI Hospital Group and other health service providers (HSPs) from both the public and private healthcare sectors.
Why Study this Course?
The BSc (Hons) in General Nursing Programme prepares students to meet the Knowledge, skills and competencies necessary to work as a Registered General Nurse (RGN).
Students studying general nursing will meet many different people from all backgrounds aged from 16 years upwards who are experiencing ill-health or have long-term conditions that challenge their health and well-being. Students will learn the theory and evidence based principles of nursing to help people overcome illness, manage their own health and prevent illness and disease. Students will learn the practice of nursing by working with registered nurses in clinical areas who act as mentors assisting students to apply the knowledge and skills they learn in college to real life situations.
General nursing placements account for fifty per cent of this programme and take place in many settings both in the acute hospitals and community. Students are encouraged to be active members of the multidisciplinary healthcare team and work in partnership with the person and /or family in alleviating illness, promoting recovery and providing support and comfort.
Students will receive both theoretical and practical classes in college in preparation for their clinical placements. Many different teaching and learning methodologies are used to assist learning in our excellent classroom and clinical laboratory facilities.
YEAR 1
Semester 1
- Safe Healthcare Practice 1
- Natural Sciences for General Nursing (Part 1)
- Learning to Learn
- Foundations of General Nursing Practice
- Introduction to the Social Sciences of Health and Illness
- Clinical Placement 1
Semester 2
- Safe Healthcare Practice 2
- Natural Sciences for General Nursing (Part 2)
- Older Person and Community Health
- Specialist Nursing and Maternity Care
- Communication and Interpersonal Skills
- Clinical Placement 1
Year 2
Semester 1
- Cardiovascular and Respiratory Nursing (Part 1)
- Psychosocial Aspects of Health and Disease (Part 1)
- Musculoskeletal Nursing
- Mental Health in General Nursing
- Applied Physiology and Introduction to Pharmacology
- Clinical Placement 2
Semester 2
- Cardiovascular and Respiratory Nursing ( Part 2 )
- Psycosocial Aspects of Helath and Disease (Part 2)
- Gastrointestinal Nursing
- The Research Process
- Oncology and Haematological Nursing
- Clinical Placement 2
Year 3
Semester 1
- Neurological, Endocrine, ENT & Opthalmology Nursing
- Chronic Illness and Older Adults
- Pharmacology for General Nursing Practice
- Quality, Risk and Safety in Healthcare
- Clinical Placement 3
Semester 2
- Renal and Reproductive Nursing
- Palliative Care and End of Life Care
- Ethical and Legal Practice General Nursing
- Evaluating Research
- Clinical Placement 3
YEAR 4
Semester 1
- Research Proposal
- Assessment and Management of the Acutely Ill Adult
- Clinical Leadership and Management for Professional Nursing Practice
- Contemporary Nursing Practice
- Clinical Placement 4
Semester 2
- Internship General Nursing (36 Weeks)
* All module titles are subject to change and are for indicative purposes only.
Teaching includes modules on Nursing Studies, Biological Sciences, Psychological and Social Sciences, Research, Law and Ethics, Leadership and Management Skills.
Classroom-based learning is facilitated through lecture, tutorial, small group work, and seminars.
Clinical Skills are taught in simulated clinical environments through demonstration, practice, scenario-based examples and objective structured clinical examinations.
Work-based learning takes place on clinical placements under the supervision of registered general nurses and by reflection on experience.
Registered General Nurses are currently in high demand at home and abroad. Graduates can apply for positions at Staff Nurse grade. Post-graduate opportunities are plentiful in a variety of clinical practice specialities facilitating progression to the role of Clinical Nurse Specialist / Advanced Nurse Practitioner. In addition, graduates can also progress to MSc. and PhD level and a career in Nursing Research, Education and Management.
Opportunities for postgraduate study at Postgraduate Diploma, Masters and PhD levels in related areas such as clinical practice, education, management and research.
Please find information on fees and funding here: www.dkit.ie/fees
Leaving Certificate Entry Requirements:
Six Grades at O6 or H7 in Leaving Certificate
→ INCLUDING At least two H5 Grades
→ AND Mathematics Grade O6 or H7
→ AND Laboratory Science subject Grade O6 or H7
→ AND English Grade O6 or H7 OR Irish Grade O6 or H7
Northern Ireland/UK Entry Requirements:
Applicants must meet the matriculation requirement of 6 different subjects which must include:
→ Mathematics at GCSE (Grade A* - C) or better
→ GCSE Pass in a Laboratory Science subject (Biology, Chemistry or Physics) OR GCSE Grade CC in Double Award Science
→ English (or Irish) at GCSE (Grade A* - C) or better
→ Two subjects at either:
- ‘A Level’ (Grade A* - C)
- AND/OR Applied A-Level (Grade A* - C)
- AND/OR BTEC National Level 3 (National Award, Subsidiary Diploma, Extended Certificate, 90-Credit Diploma, Foundation Diploma) (Grade Merit or Distinction).
- AND/OR OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 (Introductory Diploma, Extended Certificate, Subsidiary Diploma, Foundation Diploma, 90-Credit Diploma) (Grade Merit or Distinction)
- OR BTEC National Level 3 Diploma (Grade min: MM)
- OR OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Diploma (Grade min: MM)
- OR BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma (Grade min: MMP)
→ The remaining subjects must be different from that presented above and may be drawn from recognised subjects at:
- GCSE (Grade A* - C)
- AND/OR AS Level’ (Grades A - E)
- AND/OR A-level’ (Grades A* - E)
- AND/OR Applied ‘A-level’ (Grade A* - E)
- AND/OR BTEC National Level 3 (National Award, Subsidiary Diploma, Extended Certificate, 90-Credit Diploma, Foundation Diploma, Diploma or Extended Diploma*) (Pass, Merit or Distinction).
- AND/OR OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 (Introductory Diploma, Extended Certificate, Subsidiary Diploma, Foundation Diploma, 90-Credit Diploma, Diploma or Extended Diploma*) (Pass, Merit or Distinction).
Mature Applicants Entry Requirements:
Minimum of 23 years of age on January 1st of year of application.
An assessment test is carried out by the PAS on behalf of NMBI.
For further information please see our page on applying as a mature student or visit NursingCareers.ie
Please Note:
Offers of places on this course are subject to applicants successfully passing Garda Clearance and Health Status Clearance from the Health Service Executive (North East) Occupational Health Unit.
Furthermore, students on the programme are subject to fitness to practise regulations.
General Nursing students undertake clinical placements in each semester. Clinical placements are facilitated throughout the HSE Louth-Meath, Cavan-Monaghan area.
Year 4 has a 36-week internship of clinical practice-paid employment from January to September to allow for consolidation of learning and preparation for the role of a registered general nurse.
Individuals looking for a meaningful and rewarding career helping other people from all ages and backgrounds in need of health care. Individuals who are committed to learning new knowledge and attaining competence in a range of practical skills and abilities to provide high quality compassionate nursing care.
Ailish Mc Ardle
Lecturer in Nursing, Department of Nursing, Midwifery & Health Studies
Phone: +353 429370200 Ext. 2708Email: ailish.mcardle@dkit.ie
| Course ID | DK870 |
| CAO Round 1 Entry Points (2023) | 380 Points |
| Course Type | Undergraduate |
| Study Mode | Full-Time |
| Level | 8 |
| Duration | 4 Years |
| Starting Date | September 2024 |
| School | School of Health & Science |
| Department | Nursing, Midwifery and Early Years |
| Awarding Body | Dundalk Institute of Technology |
| Delivery Method | On Campus |
How To Apply
Apply on CAO
All standard entry first-year applicants must apply for entry through the CAO. See Important application dates for CAO and information for specific applicant types below:
Advanced Entry & Transfer Applications
Advanced Entry is for applicants who have previous educational achievements and/or work experience and want to be considered for direct entry into year 2, 3, or 4 of a course. This includes students looking to transfer to DkIT from another Higher Education provider.
