UG Prospectus 2025

84 WhyDCU? − Experienced, research-active lecturers − Students taught on campus andwithin dynamic clinical learning environments − Innovative teaching and learning methodologies − Partners with some of Dublin’s busiest andmost prestigious teaching hospitals and services − State-of-the-art clinical education facilities on campus About You Are you a caring individual who enjoys helping and supporting people? Do you feel you can contribute to the wellbeing of others with intelligence, compassion, and enthusiasm? Then you will find nursing a rewarding career. Additional Requirements In addition to the general entry requirements for admission to the University (see page 174), the following entry requirements apply: minimum of O6 or H7 inMathematics PLUS minimumof O6 or H7 in one of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Physics with Chemistry or Agricultural Science. Understanding: Nursing Nursing is the professional practice of protection and promotion of health and independence, the prevention of illness, the facilitation of healing and the alleviation of suffering through diagnosis and evidence based treatment modalities. Nursing also involves acting as an advocate in the care of individuals, families, groups, communities and populations and assisting individuals, families and groups in a professional, caring and empathicmanner. This course aims to provide optimum clinical and academic learning environments that stimulate and enable students to become compassionate, competent, safe, critically aware and reflective nursing graduates. The course recognises themultidisciplinary nature of healthcare and the national and global dimensions of contemporary nursing practice. Academic learning and learning in practice go hand in hand and youwill be encouraged to reflect on your experiences as you progress through the course. GardaVetting Garda vetting is a requirement for all nursing students, who throughout their training have supervised access to vulnerable population groups. You must successfully pass theGarda vetting process in order to complete the process of registration. Mature Entry Mature candidates are assessed by theNursingCareers Centre (NCC) of An BordAltranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann (Nursing andMidwifery Board of Ireland, NMBI). For details please see page 178. Course Structure The BSc inNursing provides youwith the pre-registration education youwill need to qualify with one of the following awards: − BSc inNursing (General) − BSc inNursing (Children’s andGeneral) − BSc inNursing (Intellectual Disability) − BSc inNursing (Mental Health) Youwill also be eligible for professional registrationwith An BordAltranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann (Nursing andMidwifery Board of Ireland, NMBI). The focus of this course is on the fundamental issues in nursing practice. As disciplines such as psychology, sociology, philosophy, law, pharmacology andmicrobiology are an important part of the practice and profession of nursing, they are also part of your degree course. During the course youwill spend increasing periods of time in your chosen area of nursing to practice and develop nursing skills in healthcare settings. In Year 4 youwill spend 36weeks on an internship in your allocated hospital/ health service provider. During this time, youwill gain and consolidate further practice based learningwhile also taking formal clinical assessments. StudyAbroad Studying abroad provides awonderful opportunity to experience the culture of another country. The Erasmus+ exchange programme is open to all Year 2Nursing students and takes place in semester 1, Year 3, studying at one of our partner universities. For more information, please visit dcu.ie/snpch/international-placement WhatWill I Study? Each year youwill have the opportunity to undertake clinical practice placements in a variety of clinical settings. In Year 1, your placements will be in your chosen nursing discipline, e.g. intellectual disability, mental health/psychiatry, general or children’s nursing. In Years 2 and 3 youwill have clinical practice placements in your nursing discipline and in specialist clinical areas related to your nursing course of study. During Year 3 there are opportunities for you to apply for clinical practice placements internationally. In Year 4 youwill undertake a 36-week internship in your allocated hospital/ health service provider as a paid employee of that service. During this time, youwill gain and consolidate further practice- based learning under the support and supervision of qualified nurses. Throughout the course, your clinical competencies are assessed, ensuring youmeet professional requirements and standards as set by theNursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland. This structured approach ensures that by the end of the course, youwill have awell-rounded education, practical experience in various settings, and specialised knowledge in your chosen nursing disciplinewhichwill enable you to register with theNursing andMidwifery Board of Ireland. BSc inNursing Ensure individuals and communities enjoy the best health possible