Children's and General Nursing (Integrated)

This four-and-a-half-year integrated honours degree prepares you for professional practice as both a children's nurse and a general nurse, leading to dual registration with NMBI on graduation. You study the theory and clinical skills underpinning both branches simultaneously, covering anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, child development, acute and chronic illness management, and family-centred care. Roughly half your time is spent on clinical placement across a wide range of settings, including paediatric wards, neonatal units, emergency departments, adult medical and surgical wards, and community health services. You will rotate through Children's Health Ireland hospitals and regional paediatric units, as well as large teaching hospitals partnered with your university. A typical week balances university lectures and simulation lab sessions with scheduled placement blocks, requiring flexibility, stamina, and strong communication skills.

Entry requires a Leaving Certificate with a minimum of six subjects, including Mathematics and two other subjects at Higher level, and English or Irish at Ordinary level grade O6 or better. Biology is strongly recommended and, where offered, is often listed as a preferred or required subject; Chemistry or another science subject is also advantageous. CAO points for this programme are consistently high, reflecting intense competition for a limited number of places. If you do not meet LC requirements, a relevant QQI Level 5 Healthcare Support or Science award can provide an alternative pathway, though specific QQI distinctions required are competitive. Mature applicants aged 23 or over may apply through the mature-student route, and HEAR and DARE supplementary admission schemes are available for eligible applicants from socioeconomic or disability backgrounds.

Demand for nurses in Ireland remains strong, with the HSE and private healthcare providers consistently reporting vacancies across both children's and general nursing specialisms. Dual registration makes graduates particularly attractive to employers, widening the range of posts you can apply for immediately after qualifying. Ireland's ageing population and continued expansion of paediatric services at CHI at Connolly, Tallaght, and the new Children's Hospital mean graduate employment rates are very high. Newly qualified Staff Nurses in Ireland typically earn in the region of €31,000–€36,000 gross per annum on HSE pay scales, rising considerably with experience and specialist roles.