Pre-Nursing Studies (QQI Level 5)

This one-year full-time PLC course gives you a solid grounding in the knowledge and practical skills needed to pursue a career in nursing or healthcare. You will study anatomy and physiology, health and social care principles, and develop core clinical skills in a supervised setting. A significant part of the year involves a work placement in a healthcare setting such as a hospital, nursing home, or community health service, giving you real-world exposure to patient care. A typical week combines classroom theory, practical skills workshops, and study, with placement blocks scheduled throughout the year. The course is designed specifically to prepare you for progression to a nursing degree through the CAO QQI link route.

Entry typically requires a Leaving Certificate with passes in at least five subjects, including English and ideally a science subject such as Biology or Chemistry. Some colleges may specify a minimum grade in Leaving Certificate English at Ordinary or Higher level. This course is also open to mature students aged 23 or over who may be considered without standard Leaving Certificate results, based on interview and life experience. The QQI Level 5 Certificate, with distinctions in five modules, is the standard requirement for CAO applications to nursing degree programmes via the reserved QQI places system. Points competition for nursing through the QQI route is high, so achieving distinctions across your modules is essential. HEAR and DARE access schemes may also apply through the CAO for eligible applicants progressing to Level 8 nursing programmes.

Demand for healthcare workers in Ireland remains strong given an ageing population and ongoing HSE recruitment needs. For those who progress through the QQI route to a nursing degree and achieve NMBI registration, employment prospects are excellent, with graduate nurses readily finding work in Irish hospitals and community settings. Salaries for registered nurses in the public sector start at approximately €35,000–€38,000 and rise with experience and grade. Healthcare assistants without degree-level registration typically earn in the range of €28,000–€33,000 gross per year.