Nursing Courses – Routes and Requirements

There are a number of different nursing routes available when becoming a registered nurse in Ireland. These include: Children’s and General Nursing (Integrated), General Nursing, Intellectual Disability Nursing, Midwifery, and Psychiatric (Mental Health) Nursing. The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) (formerly An Bord Altranais) is the statutory regulatory body for the nursing and midwifery professions in Ireland. It is this board that is responsible for the registration of those who have successfully completed a recognised educational nursing programme.

According to the NMBI’s most recent State of the Register report, there are now over 92,000 registered nurses and midwives in Ireland, reflecting a growing and dynamic workforce. The World Health Organisation states that the mission of nursing in society is to help individuals, families, and groups to determine and achieve physical, mental, and social potential. The NMBI considers that the following values should underpin nursing practice: respect towards the uniqueness and dignity of each client regardless of culture and religion, trust, understanding, and compassion.

Application & Entry Routes

There are over 40 nursing and midwifery degree programmes available across Ireland, offering thousands of places at the pre-registration level. A dedicated quota of places is reserved for mature applicants and those progressing through Further Education and Training (FET) via PLC healthcare routes. Each nursing/midwifery programme has two identifying CAO course codes: a Standard Code (for applicants applying based on their Leaving Certificate or QQI examination results) and a Mature Code (for applicants who are 23 years of age or over by January 1st of the year of entry, and who wish to be considered on the grounds of mature years rather than examination results). Application is made through the CAO for both codes.

Course Structure & Placements

Throughout the nursing programme, the student receives a combination of theoretical and clinical instruction. The first clinical placement occurs early in the programme, usually within three months of commencement. The theoretical component of the honours degree programmes consists of: 67% focusing on the art and science of nursing care, and 33% devoted to the applied biological and social sciences, which inform nursing care.

Children’s and General Nursing (Integrated)

General Nursing

Intellectual Disability Nursing

Psychiatric (Mental Health) Nursing

Midwifery

RGN = Registered General Nurse | RCN = Registered Children’s Nurse | RNID = Registered Nurse in Intellectual Disability | RPN = Registered Psychiatric Nurse | RM = Registered Midwife

CAO Entry Requirements for Nursing

For standard CAO applicants, the minimum entry requirements for a Level 8 Nursing degree typically include: Grade H5 in two higher-level papers and a minimum grade of O6/H7 in four other subjects. A Laboratory Science subject (e.g., Biology, Physics, Chemistry) is mandatory, along with Mathematics and English or Irish. Individual Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) may have specific requirements, so it is essential to consult their prospectuses.

Further Education & PLC Route (QQI Level 5)

Most HEIs offering degree programmes in nursing and midwifery accept specific QQI Level 5 qualifications as an equivalent entry route for standard CAO applications. Your QQI qualification is converted into points (up to a maximum of 390 points) to compete for a reserved quota of places. The best 8 modules are considered for scoring purposes, and distinctions are required in specific modules for entry.

The primary QQI Level 5 courses considered for entry include:

• 5M4349 Nursing Studies
• 5M4468 Community Health Services
• 5M4339 Healthcare Support

For aspiring nurses looking for alternative routes into the profession, a QQI Level 5 Pre-Nursing Studies course (Award Code: 5M4349) offered through Ireland’s Further Education and Training (FET) institutes is a premier entry point. This intensive one-year, full-time programme blends essential academic theory with hands-on clinical practice, making it a highly sought-after route for Leaving Certificate students and career changers alike.

Students dive into core modules including Anatomy and Physiology, Nursing Theory and Practice, Care Skills, and Human Growth and Development. A critical component of the curriculum is the mandatory healthcare work placement, which provides invaluable real-world experience in hospitals or nursing homes. Alongside academic credits, learners typically graduate with industry-essential certifications in Patient Manual Handling and First Aid Responder (FAR). Crucially, this qualification serves a dual purpose: it acts as a direct progression pathway to BSc Nursing degrees via the CAO system and provides the immediate credentials needed to secure employment as a qualified Healthcare Assistant (HCA). You can explore these options in our Pre-Nursing Courses directory.

Mature Applicants

Mature applicants (aged 23+) must apply through the CAO and successfully complete the NMBI Mature Applicant Assessment. This assessment is conducted online (usually in April) and consists of three separate tests: verbal reasoning, numeracy, and a job simulation exercise. Success in these tests determines your position on the order of merit list for the mature course codes you have applied for.

CAO Options: A Closer Look

Atlantic Technological University (ATU) offers CAO applicants a General Nursing programme across its campuses (including Galway, Letterkenny, and St. Angela’s in Sligo, which was incorporated into ATU). This degree helps students understand the needs of people in their care and the professional qualities associated with effective nursing practice. Your academic learning and practical learning will go hand in hand. First-year modules typically include Biological and Related Sciences, Social Sciences, Fundamental Nursing Practice, Health Promotion & Research Studies, and Clinical Practice Placement.

University of Limerick (UL) offers a full-time, four-year B.Sc. Nursing (General) degree in conjunction with the HSE West. On successful completion, students can register with the NMBI as a Registered General Nurse (RGN). The course equips students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required to become confident, analytical, and reflective practitioners who are able to make maximum use of resources and research in their day-to-day practice.

University College Cork (UCC) offers a four-and-a-half-year Children’s and General Nursing (Integrated) programme. The School of Nursing and Midwifery in Cork promotes personal, professional, and academic development through college and practice-based learning. The aim of the programme is to foster the development of knowledge, skills, attitudes, and professional values applicable to nursing children and adults. Graduates are eligible to apply for professional registration in both children’s and general nursing (RGN, RCN).

Further Studies

After the completion of a pre-registration programme in nursing/midwifery, graduates might wish to pursue further education and continuous professional development (CPD). Many such opportunities are available, and the NMBI has approved a number of specialist programmes. They include pathways to becoming an Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP), Advanced Midwife Practitioner (AMP), Public Health Nurse, or Nurse Prescriber.

Nursing literature consistently emphasises the need for future nurses to be caring individuals who contribute to the well-being of others with intelligence and enthusiasm. Regardless of CAO points, empathy and resilience are essential human characteristics required to thrive in this profession. Being empathetic makes a patient feel cared for and understood; it essentially defines this career path.

Find more information on healthcare and nursing courses by browsing the Medical and Healthcare Course Listings or the dedicated Nursing Courses section on Findacourse.ie.