Almost 2,000 new nursing degree places will be created in the regions over the next four years in the institutes of technology. Nursing students will thus be able to study and gain placements in their own locality for the first time.
Under the scheme, six institutes of technology will begin enrolment of students to a new four-year pre-registration degree in September 2002. The degree course will be provided in Athlone, Dundalk, Galway, Letterkenny, Tralee and Waterford institutes. Courses will be provided in general, mental handicap and psychiatric nursing.
The courses are validated by the Higher Education and Training Awards Council and approved by An Bord Altranais.
The initiative represents a major development in provision of locally based training of nurses, according to Dr Tom Collins, director of Dundalk Institute of Technology. He said the establishment of nursing degrees in the institutes would provide a new dimension and greatly enhance existing nursing degree training.
"Because of our base in the regions," Dr Collins said, "the institutes are developing close working relationships with local health boards in developing curriculum and course content. In addition, this will facilitate placements of students in the local region, something which was not possible before now." Regionally based courses would also help to attract students from a wider background.