Course Summary
Course Category: PLC (Further Education - FET) - Apply directly to College
This one-year Nursing Studies program prepares students for professional roles in healthcare, including hospitals, respite care, and community settings. By blending academic theory with practical work experience, the course develops the essential communication and clinical skills required for modern nursing. Ideal for both school leavers and mature learners, this program provides a comprehensive foundation for those seeking entry into formal nurse training or human-centered social care careers.
CERTIFICATION
- Level 5 Nursing 5M4349
- First Aid Response
- Patient Moving and Handling
- CPR
- Child Protection
Course Details
This course prepares you for working in the following Career Sectors:
What will you study?
-
Nursing Theory and Practice
Communications
Anatomy and Physiology
Word Processing
Biology
Work Experience
Human Growth and Development
Mathematics
Care of the Older Person
Maternity Care Support
Infection Prevention and Control
Care Skills
Maternity Care Support
Understanding Mental Health
Caring for Children in Hospital
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.
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.
Disclaimer: These links are to web sites outside of CareersPortal and we accept no responsibility for the information on them.
Career Progression
Graduates can progress to various nursing degrees—including General, Psychiatric, and Pediatric—at major Irish universities like DCU, UCD, Trinity, and numerous Technological Universities through expanded QQI link schemes. This qualification also facilitates entry into Social Care programs or nursing degrees across Northern Ireland and the UK, including institutions like Ulster University and the University of West London. For those entering the workforce immediately, the course provides a direct pathway to employment in hospitals, community care, and diverse healthcare initiatives.