BSc (Hons) in General Nursing
The General Nursing programme will enable you to develop the knowledge, skills and aptitude to provide nursing care in a variety of general settings. Our focus is on caring, communication and understanding the patient’s experience of health & illness
Tertiary Programme Work Experience ModuleWhy should I apply?
The general nursing programme will enable you to develop the knowledge, skills and aptitude to provide nursing care in a variety of general settings. It emphasises the importance of working with other professions and planning individualised nursing care in partnership with patients. Our focus is on caring, communication and understanding the patient’s experience of health and illness.
Over the years you will learn about professional/ethical practice; holistic approaches to care and the integration of knowledge; interpersonal relationships; organisation and management of care; and personal and professional development.
Nursing offers exciting opportunities to develop valuable specialist knowledge, and skills that are in demand both nationally and internationally.
Incorporating the Level 5 Nursing Studies with the BSc (Hons) General Nursing, will give learners the opportunity to start their preparation for the General Nursing degree programme in the FE sector leading to seamless transition to the third level college. Students will spend the first year in Denny Street Campus, Tralee or Listowel Campus, and on successful completion will undertake their four-year Nursing programme at MTU Kerry.
Year 1
Education and Training Board – Kerry College – Denny Street Campus, Tralee, Co. Kerry | Listowel Campus, Clieveragh, Listowel, Co. Kerry.
Years 2-5
Department of Nursing and Healthcare Sciences, Munster Technological University, Kerry Campus, Sólás Nursing Building, Tralee, Co. Kerry.
For more information, please contact the Tertiary Managers at [email protected] or visit NTO.
What will I study?
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
Special Features
To progress to the four-year undergraduate degree in General Nursing, successful learners must achieve the full QQI Level 5 Award, with a minimum of five distinctions. At least one of these distinctions must be drawn from the following three modules with a high merit in the other two (72% or above): Anatomy and Physiology, Nursing Theory and Practice or Human Growth and Development.
What are the entry requirements?
- Leaving Certificate with five subjects at grade O6; LCVP including maths or a distinction in Leaving Certificate Applied
or
- QQI Level 4 award with a minimum of a merit grade
or
- Mature applicants – (aged 23 on or before 1st January of the course commencement year). These applicants do not have to meet the minimum entry requirements listed here and are considered on an individual basis (previous education, work experience, and demonstration of competence to undertake the programme)
or
- An applicant who is a minimum of 17 years of age with at least 2 years post Junior Certificate relevant experience. All applicants must demonstrate that they would qualify for the special rate of maintenance grant under the Student Grant Scheme (SUSI) and/or are in receipt of a Department of Social Protection (DSP) long-term means-tested social welfare payment and/or be from one or more of the priority groups or from any priority group identified as part of the next National Access Plan (2022-2028).
- CERFL proficiency at B2 for access to Level 5 courses for those whose first language is not English.
Learner pre-requisites:
• Self-declared medical statement signed by their GP
• Personal Statement
• Interview
• Garda Vetting
This course requires students to be Garda vetted. Prospective students should also be aware that some aspects of this course are physically demanding and should satisfy themselves that they are physically fit enough to undertake it. All applicants will undergo a processing stage during which further information will be gathered in relation to their application.
Learner’s Desirable competencies and experience:
Learners interested in undertaking this course should want to be part of an active and changing dynamic environment. They should, enjoy working with others and value caring for people. In addition, learners should be excellent communicators with problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
What are the employment opportunities?
On successful completion of this course, students are also qualified to work as a healthcare assistant or carer in the public, private or voluntary sector.
These jobs may include working in public or private nursing homes, public or private hospitals, day centres, or working as a carer in an individual’s own home.
Onwards Pathways are:
- MSc Nursing
- MSc Professional Nursing
- MSc Advanced Practice Nursing
What is the certification?
This tertiary degree is a comprehensive 5-year programme. The programme is designed to support academic success despite challenges that may arise. If a student has to leave the programme before completing the final year, tertiary degrees include embedded awards. Embedded awards formally recognise learning achieved during time in the programme. For this degree, they are:
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.
Full-time Courses - FAQs
No, but if you are, you may qualify for a Training Allowance or Back to Education Allowance.
All of our employment-focused full-time day courses are fee-free and fully funded. Places are subject to an admissions interview and our course capacity - which can be as low as 14 in some cases.
Again, you don't need to be on a social welfare payment to apply or secure a place.
Our progression-focused courses are full time programmes and run from September to May each year. They provide you with the time and opportunity to explore a potential career and study path - before committing to a third level course of study.
You can achieve up to 390 points on our courses for progression which you can in turn use to access a range of third-level courses.
Kerry College has agreements in place with many Institutes of Technologies and Universities to allow our students to progress to study there.
You'll need to work hard though, achieving a full range of distinctions is often a requirement to progress.
Our employment-focused courses are full-time programmes focused on building knowledge, skill, and ability and essential qualifications to enter the jobs market.
Most have integrated work practice and/or industry placement. Many include unique, professional micro-certifications which further increase your employability.
Our courses for employment are a great choice for those wishing to career change, reskill, upskill, or start your career.
Specific entry criteria will vary depending on the course.
For most courses for employment, you must have completed a minimum of three years post-primary education or have a Junior Certificate. Some courses for employment require that you are either 18+ or 21+ before applying. Check each course page for further details.
For most courses for further study and university progression, applicants must be at least 16 years of age at course start date and ideally have a Leaving Certificate, LCVP, LCA or at the least QQI Level 4 Major Award.
Mature students (over 23) may also apply.
If you do not meet the specific entry criteria, you may be called for an information interview to secure a place, unless an interview is already part of the admissions process.
The National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) is a ten-level system (1–10) giving an academic or vocational value to qualifications obtained in Ireland.
Kerry College offers programmes at Levels 5 and 6 but also a range of industry-recognised professional certifications.
In addition, we also offer a number of pathway courses at Level 4.
A Minor award is commonly referred to as a module - but also as a component certificate or a certificate of unit credit.
These single 'modules' may be completed and certificated individually. All minor awards are linked to a major award that allows learners to collect and build their minor awards and work towards gaining a major award.
A Major award is a significant achievement and usually comprises of 8 minor awards or modules.
Gaining a major award allows progression to a range of third-level programmes or qualifies you for an entry-level job where you can build on your qualification with experience.
Our Monavalley Campus has full-time courses starting every month of the year. These courses range from 8 weeks to 56 weeks in duration. We don't do a mid-term or Easter break at Monavalley. Our Campus Locations at Clash Road, Denny Street, and Listowel run by the academic calendar - starting in September and ending in May and include breaks at mid-term and Easter. Our academic year is 38 contact weeks- so when you see 39 weeks, it's a year-long course of 38 weeks plus one week for Christmas.
Applications for all full-time programmes should be made online via the Kerry College website. Your application will be processed using FETCHCOURSES - the National FET Course Application System.
If you haven't signed up for a FETCH account, you'll need to do this first. It's free and a one-time setup.
FETCH COURSES is the national application system for all FET course applications.
All new applicants must set up a free account on www.fetchcourses.ie. You must use this to apply for all further education and training progarmmes anywhere in Ireland.
For existing FETCH COURSES account holders, login and apply as before.
You can reset your password using your email or mobile phone. When you do, make sure you keep it for future reference.
Bear in mind, FETCH uses your PPS number to identify you - so although you might be able to set up a second account - it won't work properly.
If you're still stuck, contact our Tralee Admissions team on 066-714 96 96 or Killarney Admissions team on 064-662 25 93.
We use the admissions interview to ensure minimum entry requirements are met and to pre-screen applicants for work practice and/or industry placement. We also assess which applicants will gain the most from spending some time at Kerry College.
In preparation for the interview, consider why you’ve applied for the course, know the modules and the overall award, what you need to learn, and how you plan to use your new skills. You'll need to bring a copy of your CV and any relevant certificates.
In cases where there is a high demand for a course, you need to do well at the interview to make it onto the class-list.
Sometime, applicants don't meet the minimum entry criteria but feel they have the aptitute and experience to successfully complete the course. This is often where a mature learner is returning to education without a Leaving Certificate.
Get in touch with us at the Tralee Admisisons Office on 066-714 96 96 or Killarney Admissions Office on 064- 662 25 93 where we will discuss your application with you.
Yes, you do. A lot can change in a year and we always like to catch up with you and see how we can help.
You have 3 funding routes to explore. If eligible, you may receive one of the following on a full-time Kerry College course:
Learner Payment, Back to Education Allowance, and SUSI Grant.
LEARNER PAYMENT
Also known as a Training Allowance. If you are on a qualifying DEASP payment, you may continue to receive this payment as a Learner Payment while on any full-time course at Kerry College. An F103 form is issued by Kerry College to applicants who accept a course place. This form must be completed by you and stamped and signed by DEASP/INTREO. Bring it with you on the first day of the course to have your Learner Payment processed.
BACK TO EDUCATION ALLOWANCE (BTEA)
When you have been accepted onto any full-time course at Kerry College and you feel you may qualify for a Back To Education Allowance, notify DEASP by filling in the form BTE 1 – available for download here: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/ff3e80-back-to-education-programme-sw70/
SUSI GRANT
You may qualify for a SUSI Grant (via www.susi.ie) if you have applied for a SUSI approved course. Check their website for this list which includes many Kerry College courses for third level progression.
The responsibility for researching and applying for funding and financial supports is yours. We are always available to point you in the right direction though!
If you can't take up your place, you should let our team know immediately, so we can offer your place to another applicant.
We don't have a deferral policy in place for our full-time courses.
Unfortunately, this is not possible.
Your Learner Payment payment (also called a training allowance) is payable on receipt of signed and stamped F103 form at course start. We send an individualised F103 to all successful applicants. If you are on a qualifying social welfare payment, DEASP/INTREO will stamp and sign this for you.
Our courses for employment are free. If you can attend full time, you can apply for a place. Despite not qualifying for funding or a grant, you may still get a travel payment (if you live more than 3 miles/5km away from the campus location) or an accommodation payment (if you live more than 20 miles/32km away from the campus location).
Our courses for progression are free. At present, travel or accommodation payments are not part of these courses.
Kerry College has abolished all online application fees and is working to make Further Education & Training free for everyone in County Kerry.
The NCS (National Childcare Scheme) is now in place and provides childcare supports for those on full-time education and training programmes. Full details can be found on the www.ncs.gov.ie webpage.
Get in touch with Kerry County Childcare Committee at (066) 718 1582 to discuss which childcare supports are available to you should you enroll on a full-time FET course.
Still have questions?
Contact our Kerry College Admissions Offices – Tralee on 066 714 9696, Killarney on 064 662 2593 or [email protected]