Course Summary
Course Category: PLC (Further Education - FET) - Apply directly to College
The General Nursing program is a comprehensive foundational course designed to equip students with the clinical knowledge, technical skills, and professional aptitude required to deliver high-quality care across diverse healthcare settings. The curriculum places a profound emphasis on the "art of caring," focusing on effective communication and a deep empathy for the patient’s individual experience of health and illness. Learners will explore core nursing theories, anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology, while developing the practical ability to perform clinical procedures with precision.
After successfully completing Year 1 NFQ level 5 Certificate in Nursing Studies (5M4349) from QQI
After successfully completing Year 3 NFQ level 6 (TL_NHSGN_C) Higher Certificate in Science in Health Studies (General), 120 credits, from MTU
After successfully completing Year 4 NFQ level 7 (TL_NHSGN_D) – Bachelor of Science in Health Studies (General), 180 credits, from MTU
The final NFQ level 8 Bachelor of Science (Hons) in General Nursing is awarded by MTU.
Course Details
This course prepares you for working in the following Career Sectors:
What will you study?
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Year 1 Level 5 Award FET
Care Skills 5N2770
Communications 5N0690
Human Growth & Development 5N1279
Anatomy & Physiology 5N0749
Nursing Theory & Practice 5N4325
Work Experience 5N1356
Infection Prevention & Control 5N3734
Care of the Older Person 5N2706
Year 2 MTU
EDUC 61000 Learning at Third Level
COMM 61032 Professionalism in Nursing Practice
HLTH 61012 Health and Wellbeing
HSFT 61002 Skills For Safe Practice
NURS 61012 Developing Competency in General Nursing Practice 1
NURS 61010 Principles of General Nursing Care 1
NURS 61009 Caring in Context
SOCL 61014 The Sociology and Psychology of Health and Illness
NURS 61013 Developing Competency in General Nursing Practice 2
Year 3 MTU
INFO 71003 Introduction to Health Informatics
NURS 71009 Developing Competency in General Nursing Practice 3
NURS 71006 Principles of General Nursing Care 2
NURS 71013 Fundamentals of Nursing Knowledge and Research
NURS 71004 Compassion and Integrity in Caring
COMM 71015 Therapeutic Relationships and Interventions
NURS 71010 Developing Competency in General Nursing Practice 4
NURS 71008 Principles of General Nursing Care 3
HLTH 71007 Health Promotion
EDUC 71016 Inter-Professional Education and Collaborative Practice
Year 4 MTU
NURS 81011 Developing Competency in General Nursing Practice 5
NURS 81018 Principles of General Nursing Care 4
LAWS 81008 Law and Ethics for Practice
HLTH 81011 Prevention and Management of Chronic Conditions
HLTH 81012 Enabling Positive Ageing
PHRM 81004 Principles for Nursing Care 5: Applied Pharmacology for General Nursing
RSRH 81013 Nursing Research Methodology
Year 5 MTU
HSFT 81001 Safety Quality Accountability
MGMT 81023 Leadership and Management
MGMT 81024 Principles of Nursing Care 6: Clinical Decision Making
RSRH 81011 Research for Evidence Based Nursing
NURS 81012 Developing Competency in General Nursing Practice 6
RSRH 81012 Applied Nursing Research
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:
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.
Further Research
National Statistics for this Award (All Ireland)
The following data provides general information about this Award from colleges across Ireland.
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