COLLEGE CHOICE: For years, nursing was detached from the general entry process, but now you must take a degree, writes Emmet Oliver.
Nursing this year takes its place alongside the other degree courses in the CAO system. For years nursing was detached from the general college entry process, but now to be a nurse you must take a degree.
Last year there were three separate lists for nursing, but this year if you want to apply you simply put it on your degree list along with the other options.
The nursing degree takes four years in most institutions, and this year it will be interesting to see how it does when placed alongside the hundreds of other degree courses.
Because it is mixed with the other degree options, the number of applications may decrease, whereas in previous years virtually anybody could put a nursing course down without it affecting their degree or diploma/cert list.
Still, judging by previous years there is healthy interest out there.
Thousands applied last year for 1,700 nursing places. Points were high because of the huge demand. For example, you needed 400 points to do general nursing in UCC and 370 for NUI Galway.
The number of places available in all colleges is small. Even a big university like UCD was only able to offer about 140 places to school-leavers in the general nursing area last year. So points are unlikely to drop much this year.
Based on previous years, you have a better chance of landing a place in psychiatric or mental handicap nursing than general nursing, which remains the most popular of the three branches.
This has a bearing on how you fill out your form. If you are most interested in general nursing, make sure you put those options at the top of your list, followed by psychiatric and mental handicap.
This is because when the offers are made you can go up your CAO list, but you cannot go down.
Ideally none of this should matter. You should simply put down the area of nursing you are most interested in. Also, because places are in short supply, make sure you spread your choices around the country.
While some people only like to attend a hospital or college near them, nurses generally have to be more flexible. If you put down only the two or three options in your area, you are cutting off many alternative routes into the profession.
Remember that points in the nursing area can be quite volatile, so make sure you do not put too many eggs in the one basket.
Because points requirements tend to be higher for nursing places at universities, students sometimes assume they are the best courses. This is not so. While the universities are increasing their presence in this area, the institutes of technology (ITs) are also putting resources into their nursing courses and offer a surprisingly large number of places.
For example, Dundalk IT this year is providing 120 places on its degree programme, which has been developed in partnership with the North Eastern Health Board and St John of God Services. The degree began in the institute last year as part of an agreement with the Department of Health aimed at increasing numbers in the profession.
Students undertake placements in centres such as the Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda and other relevant medical institutions.
According to Dundalk IT director, Dr Tom Collins, the course has proved popular, drawing applications last year from throughout the country as well as from Northern Ireland.
Mature Applicants
While the majority of nursing places will go to school-leavers, the Irish Nursing Board (An Board Altranais) advises that a quota of places is set aside for mature students in the three branches of the profession.
The quota in general nursing is 15 per cent, 35 per cent in psychiatric and 35 per cent in mental handicap.
There are two reasons that quotas are higher for psychiatric and mental handicap. Mainly because hospitals and clinics prize the experience and judgment that non-school-leavers bring to the profession, but also because there is massive over-subscription on the general nursing side, and a quota there would really push the points up.
For mature students, a test is due to take place on April 12th. According to the Nursing Board this will test the numerical and verbal reasoning of candidates, but also assess their previous work experience.
If you pass this section you will be called to interview in late May when candidates have a chance to explain - in person - why they would make a suitable nurse.
In June you will be told whether you have passed this. If you have, you will be ranked according to your score in the aptitude test, and offers will be made in August, in what is known as Round Zero.
Which hospital?
Some confusion has arisen this year about which hospitals and colleges are linked. Essentially, each college uses its nearest hospital for clinical training. You begin your degree course in the college, dealing with the theories and practices of nursing; only later do you move into a hospital setting.
Last year many colleges had several course codes, one for each teaching hospital they used. This year if you consult your handbook, you will notice this has changed.
Apart from Trinity College (which has a long-standing relationship with the Church of Ireland Adelaide Hospital) most colleges only have codes for general, psychiatric and mental handicap and the mature versions of those courses.
The colleges have decided this year that they will sort out who goes to which hospital later in the course. The CAO has no role in that this year.
For more information, the Nursing Board's website is www.nursingboard.ie
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