Madam, - I refer to the recent letter from Ms Carol Carr (July 24th) regarding entry requirements to the Bachelor of Nursing degree course.
I would like to clarify that standards for entry to degree courses, including entry to the Bachelor of Nursing course, are set by the higher education institutions.
In addition to other standard academic requirements, pass grades in the Leaving Certificate examination in both Irish and English are required by the National University of Ireland colleges (UCD, UCC and NUIG), and Irish or English is required by Dublin City University, University College Limerick and by the Institutes of Technology for entry to degree courses.
Those who meet these requirements compete for places on the Central Applications Office points system.
An Bord Altranais welcomes the commencement of the graduate programme for nursing introduced by the Minister for Health and Children in September 2002 and all courses are regulated to meet the requirements of An Bord Altranais for registration as a nurse.
Nurses trained overseas who apply for entry to the Register of Nurses in Ireland must meet theoretical and clinical requirements set by An Bord Altranais.
Further information on entry to nursing is available on our website - www.nursingboard.ie. - Yours, etc.,
ANNE-MARIE RYAN, Chief Education Officer, An Bord Altranais,
31/32 Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin 2.