Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
•   Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Assisting and Caring for Others Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
•   Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
•   Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
•   Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
•   Analysing Data or Information Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
•   Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
•   Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Working Life

From the start of your training, you will learn how to observe patients and assess their needs. You will learn to plan and deliver the most appropriate care for them, and evaluate the results.

It is important to establish a trusting partnership with patients on their care journey. Your aim is to improve your patients’ quality of life, whatever their situation. You will need to consider many factors and juggle many priorities to get the best possible results for your patients.

Your nursing career will involve working with adults of all ages. You will encounter many illnesses and conditions, which can be long or short-term, e.g. heart disease, respiratory disease, arthritis, diabetes or cancer. You may care for patients who are undergoing surgery or recovering from injuries as a result of an accident.

Where Will I Work?

You could work in a great variety of settings such as a hospital ward, emergency department, operating theatre or intensive care unit. You may also work in community settings such as a GP practice, health centre, residential care, nursing home, prison services or even in patients' homes. Nurses also work in the pharmaceutical industry, with nursing agencies, sports clubs, refugee centres, homeless shelters, in theme parks and on cruise ships.

As part of your training, you can expect to learn new skills and procedures that help patients. The physical care of patients requires an in-depth knowledge of human anatomy and physiology - how the body and brain work. Nurses are responsible for ensuring that their patients regain the best possible state of health and independence and this requires an excellent understanding of their condition.

Skills that nurses use to keep their patients in optimal health are taught in the undergraduate programme and both knowledge and skills are practiced under the supervision and mentorship of qualified nurses. Examples of practical skills include;

• bladder catheterisation
• insertion of nasogastric feeding tubes
• administration of fluids and medications through intravenous catheters
• wound healing and many more.

The social and psychological care of patients and clients is central to the work of nurses. Psychology and sociology modules are therefore included in the undergraduate programme.

As a nurse you will be part of a multi-disciplinary team with other professionals such as doctors, social workers, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and other health and social care professionals. You will also work closely with patients' families and carers.

The HSE is the biggest employer in Ireland for this occupation. Further information from the HSE on the duties and skills for this occupation can be found here.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Maintain complete and detailed records of patients' health care plans and prognoses.
• Develop treatment plans, based on scientific rationale, standards of care, and professional practice guidelines.
• Provide patients with information needed to promote health, reduce risk factors, or prevent disease or disability.
• Analyse and interpret patients' histories, symptoms, physical findings, or diagnostic information to develop appropriate diagnoses.
• Diagnose or treat complex, unstable, comorbid, episodic, or emergency conditions in collaboration with other health care providers as necessary.
• Prescribe medication dosages, routes, and frequencies, based on such patient characteristics as age and gender.
• Diagnose or treat chronic health care problems, such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
• Prescribe medications based on efficacy, safety, and cost as legally authorised.
• Recommend diagnostic or therapeutic interventions with attention to safety, cost, invasiveness, simplicity, acceptability, adherence, and efficacy.
• Detect and respond to adverse drug reactions, with special attention to vulnerable populations such as infants, children, pregnant and lactating women, or older adults.

Further Information

• Adult Nurse- from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Children's Nurse- from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Community Nursery Nurse- from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Healthcare Assistant- from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Nurse- from: GradIreland
• Occupational Health Nurse- from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Practice Nurse- from: N.C.S. [UK]

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

 Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

 Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

To become a General nurse you will need to undertake a 4 year degree course, consisting of equal amount of clinical and theory, which will lead to a BSc in General Nursing (RGN), which is a Level 8 qualification.

Go to NMBI Careers in Nursing and Midwifery for further information on how to train and register as a general nurse including:

• Programme: type, purpose, structure and competencies.
• Making an application: including CAO application, Higher Education Access Route (HEAR), Disability Access Route to Education (DARE), allowances and grants.
• Clinical and theoretical components of the pre-reg programme
• Entry requirements: health requirements, Garda Vetting, English competency, non-EU applications. Standard and Mature applications.

Entry requirements for these courses can vary depending on where and how you would like to study, so it is important to check with the particular college.

Application Information from the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland

Further Education & Training Entry Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: nursing studies, healthcare support, community and health services, anatomy and physiology, human growth and development, biology.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Certain Specific QQI Level 5 Certificate Programmes can provide links to Nursing Degree Programmes.

• Nursing Studies (5M4349)
• Community and Health Services (5M4468)
• Healthcare Support (5M4339)

In all cases places are limited and applicants must have achieved distinctions in five components including;

• Anatomy and Physiology (5N0749)
• Nursing Theory and Practice (5N4325)
• Human Growth and Development (5N1279) or Biology (5N2746)

You can find details of where these courses are run by entering the course titles into the Course Finder from the link below.

Search for PLC Courses

If you are in a PLC course or considering taking one, you can check to see if there is a progression pathway to courses in the CAO system. The following link will list all PLC courses that are related to the Healthcare sector in Ireland. Use the filters on that page to narrow your search as required. 

Search Progression Routes

Note: Courses completed at PLC/FET level require specific FETAC awards and modules to meet minimum entry requirements to apply via CAO for a place in nursing under the HELS Higher Education Links Scheme.

Contact the Admissions Office of the individual (EB’s) Education Body or visit CAO Nursing FET- QQI places.

You can also check NMBI Careers in Nursing & Midwifery for any changes. 

Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate) 
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.

The Higher Education route is the most common route for students considering a nursing career. A full list of nursing courses can be found by entering the term 'Nursing' into the Coursefinder from the link below, or following this link for all medical related courses.

Search for CAO Courses

Tertiary Education Programmes

Tertiary Education Programmes are a new pathway to a bachelor's degree. The tertiary degree is a comprehensive 5 year programme. Students spend the first year in the Further Education and Training (FET) sector then progress to the corresponding third level college with locally designated pathways (Atlantic Technical University (ATU) Castlebar, St Angela's College, Sligo or Donegal and Munster Technical University (MTU) Kerry) to undertake their four-year Nursing programme. 

Search Tertiary Education Programmes 

Mature Entry

All candidates are required to apply through CAO. Mature Entry is for those that are 23 years of age or older by 1st January in the year of entry, applicants are also required to sit a test. The Nursing Careers Centre (NCC) of Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland, NMBI) assesses candidates.

Mature entry route is based on applying for a nursing course via www.cao.ie by 1st February or late application date of 1st May. Applicants can also avail of the change of mind facility on CAO up to 1st July. Although it is possible to make a late application to mature nursing, it is not possible to apply late for other mature entry routes. Other mature entry routes should be applied for by 1st February, to ensure they can engage in any mature assessments. 

Places are limited and mature applicants must satisfy the minimum entry requirements for the Nursing programme and will also be assessed based on each Colleges [RPL] Recognition of prior learning.

Check out NMBI Mature student guide for more information.

Higher Education (Postgraduate)
Postgraduate courses are courses at Levels 9 and 10 on the NFQ and usually last 1 – 2 years full time, or longer if a PhD or part time. Entrants typically require an undergraduate award (Level 8). A full list of postgraduate nursing courses can be found by entering the term 'Nursing' into the Coursefinder from the link below, or following this link for all medical related courses.

Search for Postgraduate Courses

Career / Professional Development  

Once you have qualified as a Registered General Nurse (RGN) you can diversify and progress your career through continued study at graduate level. This can lead to jobs in management, clinical specialist practice, advanced practice, clinical research or teaching at clinical or university level. The National Office of Nursing and Midwifery will provide further information and guidance on supporting your nursing career options. Check out a list of current CPD on offer.

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €30k - €53k

Your standard working week will be 37.5 hours on a shift pattern, which can include nights, early starts, evenings, weekends and bank holidays. Salaries vary by employer, location, experience, qualification, shift pattern, and sessional rates. 

March 2025 Update

Data Source(s):
HSE.ie

Last Updated: March, 2025

This occupation has been identified as a Job in Demand by the most recent National Skills Bulletin.

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Nurses and midwives.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2024).

This occupation is the second largest (after sales assistants) across all occupations. Employment growth was above average, with particularly strong growth between 2021 and 2023 (an additional 20,500 persons employed). There was also a high number of recent job hires for this role, reflecting both the employment growth and turnover in roles with short-term contracts. Almost all employed were female (90%) and 37% were non-Irish citizens. This is also reflected in the high number of employment permits, the highest across all occupations, with staff nurses the most common role where permits were issued.

There was a relatively high volume of jobs advertised online (Eurostat/CEDEFOP) and of posts notified to DSP for nurses; difficult-to-fill vacancies in the Recruitment Agency Survey included for staff nurses, theatre, ICU, oncology, and nurse managers. Recent changes to the education/training for nurses has seen additional places on existing courses and new routes (e.g. tertiary programmes and allocated places for students from the Republic of Ireland to study in Northern Ireland) which will go some way to alleviating issues with sourcing nurses in the coming years.

A high demand for nurses is likely to persist and replacement demand alone for such a large occupation will also contribute to continued job openings.

• Office of the Nursing and Midwifery Services Director, HSE Dr Steevens’ Hospital

  • Dublin DO8 W2A8
  • 01 635 2471
  • Click Here

• Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI)

  • 18-20 Carysfort Avenue, Blackrock, Co. Dublin.
  • (01) 639 8500 LoCall 0818 200 116
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Regional Nursing and Midwifery Planning & Development Units

  • 01-6201772
  • Click Here