Course Summary
Course Category: PLC (Further Education - FET) - Apply directly to College
This one-year full-time course offers you the ideal grounding in the skills and knowledge needed to embark on a career in this field. If you want a career that guarantees challenges and variety every day, if you think saving lives and caring for people is your calling, if you are the one who wants to run into the burning building when everyone else is running out, then this is the course for you. This course is ideally suited to those who are calm and work well under pressure and who would like to work in the Fire Service, Gardaí, Defence Forces or as a Paramedic.
QQI Level 5 Certificate in Nursing Studies (5M4349).
Optional Certification on completion of course: Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) which is hosted in May 2027*.
Course Details
This course prepares you for working in the following Career Sectors:
What will you study?
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Anatomy & Physiology - 5N0749
Care Skills - 5N2770
Human Growth & Development - 5N1279
Emergency Department Care Skills - 5N4890
Communications - 5N0690
Work Experience - 5N1356
Infection Prevention & Control - 5N3734
Nursing Theory & Practice - 5N4325
Important
- Colleges may add/remove modules to keep the course updated and to meet demands.
- Almost all PLC courses have a Work Experience module, which requires students to find their own placement in an area directly related to their course.
Progression to CAO Courses
Higher Education Links Scheme (HELS)
This course results in a QQI Major Award, and provides progression opportunities to a number of Higher Education courses, including those in the CAO.
To view CAO courses to which this award provides a direct progression route, click below:
QQI Code
To calculate Points based on your QQI award results, use the PLC Points Calculator.
The Student - Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:
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.
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.
Further Research
National Statistics for this Award (All Ireland)
The following data provides general information about this Award from colleges across Ireland.
Disclaimer: These links are to web sites outside of CareersPortal and we accept no responsibility for the information on them.
Career Progression
This course provides students with a solid foundation in the paramedic sector, enabling progression to specialised training programmes such as the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) qualification with the National Ambulance Service. Graduates may pursue careers in public services, including fire and ambulance roles, as well as positions within private ambulance services and event medical support.