General nurses work as part of a multidisciplinary team in promoting and maintaining health of individuals, families and communities and in systematically caring for those who develop health problems and supporting them to live their lives to their maximum potential.
Reasons to choose this course
Nursing is an excellent choice for students interested in a healthcare career. Because human beings are complex, careers in nursing are amongst the most challenging; they are also some of the most rewarding.
Once graduated, your qualifications will take you anywhere in the world.
The General Nursing Course is delivered in a purpose-built, state-of-the-art learning environment and students undertake clinical practice in many hospitals throughout the south east region.
You will be taught over four years through a model that we call KSVSE (Knowledge, Science, Values and Attitudes, Skills and Experience).
Successfully completing all aspects of the course allows you to register as a General Nurse with An Bord Altranais.
BSc (Hons) in General Nursing clinical placements
Clinical experience is an essential element of the course in order to register as a general nurse. There are over 80 weeks of clinical placement throughout the course including a 36 week continuous internship placement in year four. Students will be accommodated on clinical placements in Wexford, Carlow, Waterford, Kilkenny and South Tipperary.
Mature Applicants
Mature Applicants must apply using CAO code SE915
Mature Applicants for this and other nursing courses must apply by 1 February. Late applications will not be accepted.
Please note that the course content is exactly the same for mature and non-mature students.
Year 1
Semester 1
Semester 2
Anatomy & Physiology 1
Anatomy & Physiology 2
General Nursing Skills and Experience 1
Fundamentals of General Nursing
Introduction to General Nursing 1
Health & Psychosocial Studies 1
Learning to Learn
Introduction to Evidence Based Practice 1
Professional & Personal Development
Medication Management 1
Professional & Personal Safety 1
Nursing Experience 2
Year 2
Semester 3
Semester 4
Introduction to Pathophysiology
Ethical, Legal & Political Issues in General Nursing
Health & Psychosocial Studies 2
Evidence Based Practice 2
Medication Management 2
Medical and Surgical Nursing 1
Nursing Experience 3
Devolving Nursing Skills
Nursing in the Community
Nursing Experience 4
Specialist practice:
Nursing knowledge and skills
Year 3
Semester 5
Semester 6
Chronic Illness Management and Care of the Older Adult
Applied Pathphysiology 2
Medication Management 3
Evidence Based Practice 3
Nursing Experience 5
Management & Leadership in Healthcare
Professional and Patient Safety 3
Medical and Surgical Nursing 2
Enhancing Nursing Skills
Nursing Experience 6
Year 4
Semester 7
Semester 8
Cancer & Palliative Nursing Care
Consolidation of Knowledge Science Values
Consolidation of Nursing Skills for Professional Practice
and Attitudes, Skills and Experience through
Health & Psychosocial Studies 3
Clinical Internship. This is a 36 week
Nurse as Educator in Practice/Preceptorship
placement within the South East.
Nursing Experience 7
Professional and Patient Safety
Leaving Cert: Minimum entry requirements for BSc (Hons) in General Nursing
2 subjects: H5 4 subjects: O6/H7 English or Irish: O6/H7 Mathematics: O6/H7 Science: O6/H7
A laboratory science subject (biology, physics, chemistry, physics & chemistry (joint) or agricultural science)
Three other subjects (may include Irish or English and a laboratory science subject not included already) or have equivalent second level educational qualifications to the foregoing.
The minimum educational requirements may be accumulated over not more than two sittings of the leaving certificate examination or an equivalent examination.
1. Fitness to Practice - All applicants will be required to undergo a full medical examination, to establish that they are medically fit to take up the profession of nursing.
2. Garda Clearance - All applicants will be required to complete Garda Vetting Application Forms. Please note the following with regard to vetting procedures once registered with SETU:
Applicants will be provided with relevant forms and documentation for vetting within Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic.
It is mandatory for applicants who have resided abroad for a period greater than 6 months since the age of 12 years to provide SETU Waterford with a Police Clearance Certificate from those countries.
Clinical placements can only be arranged for students on receipt of satisfactory clearance.
Further information re Garda/Police clearance is available from the Nurse Allocations Office, SETU Waterford at 051 845601.
BSc (Hons) in General Nursing career opportunities
Graduates may apply for positions at staff nurse grade within the Irish healthcare sector. Universally Irish nurses are highly regarded in other countries thus enhancing work opportunities.
Postgraduate Opportunities
Graduates who wish to pursue a career in specialist nursing can apply for Higher Diploma courses/MSc in areas such as gerontology, coronary care, intensive care, peri-operative care, paediatric nursing and accident and emergency nursing. Alternatively graduates may choose to pursue advanced studies in nursing education or nursing management.
BSc (Hons) in General Nursing career opportunities
Graduates may apply for positions at staff nurse grade within the Irish healthcare sector. Universally Irish nurses are highly regarded in other countries thus enhancing work opportunities.
Graduates who wish to pursue a career in specialist nursing can apply for Higher Diploma courses/MSc in areas such as gerontology, coronary care, intensive care, peri-operative care, paediatric nursing and accident and emergency nursing. Alternatively graduates may choose to pursue advanced studies in nursing education or nursing management.
