Nursing Science Info

Course Overview

The Bachelor of Nursing Science (General) course is an internationally recognised four-year degree programme during which students learn the art and science of nursing.

The University of Galway provides this programme i partnership with the with the Health Service Executive (HSE) West, Blackrock Health Galway Clinic, and Bon Secours Hospital Galway. The programme consists of theoretical and clinical modules. The theoretical content aims to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to underpin their professional practice. The teaching and learning strategies include lectures, seminars, workshops, experiential learning, clinical skills education and simulation in our state-of-the-art clinical skills and simulation suite. The programme focuses on person centred care and positive therapeutic relationships, communication skills, therapeutic interventions, and inter-professional team working, to enrich student experiences and help them prepare for the reality of professional practice in an ever-changing health care environment. These are further supported by clinical modules which are undertaken in practice settings such as acute hospitals, community and in specialist placements.

Clinical modules are undertaken in the practice setting where students get a broad range of clinical experience in different clinical placement sites across the HSE West, Blackrock Health Galway Clinic, and Bon Secours Hospital Galway. Additionally, students will attend placements in various community settings. Experts in the nursing and allied health professions, will support students to become caring, compassionate professionals, working in partnership with people, families, and communities.

The first three years of the programme are run within the academic year and include a combination of theory modules and clinical practice modules. Practice modules will require students to be in clinical practice for 32 hours per week. Year four comprises of clinical and theory instruction in semester one and a 36-week internship in clinical practice which runs from January to September. During the internship period, the student is an employee of the HSE West and are paid a salary.

Following completion of the programme, students are eligible to apply to register as a midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI), the regulatory body.

Student Support within the School and the University

The School of Nursing & Midwifery is committed to supporting students in relation to both their academic and personal development; the structures that are in place to support students within the school and university are presented below.

Academic supports https://www.universityofgalway.ie/student-services/academic-support/

Academic Advisor

Each student is allocated an academic advisor for the duration of the programme. This advisor will monitor the students’ academic progress and is available to advise and support the student if they encounter difficulties either personal, academic, or relating to clinical practice whilst undertaking the programme.

Academic Writing Centre- Providing one-on-one tutorials and email consultations on assignment writing.
Library- The library provides a wide range of services to all students. Learn about these services, opening times and lots more on their webpage.

About - University of Galway

Academic Skills Hub- This online resource hub aims to support all students to develop the key skills required for academic success. Learn about IT and digital skills, workshops, assignments, and exam techniques.
Student Academic Advisors- Available to meet with students who wish to discuss personal, academic, financial or any other issues that may arise while in University.

Health and wellbeing Supports https://www.universityofgalway.ie/health-wellbeing/

The Disability Support Service(DSS) is available to University of Galway students who need supports or reasonable accommodations due to the impact of a disability, ongoing physical or mental health condition, or a specific learning difficulty. https://www.universityofgalway.ie/disability/
Student Counsellingprovides a free hybrid service of in-person, one-to-one counselling, and online counselling. They provide group counselling and workshops. The counselling service support about 10% of the student population each year.
Student Health UnitProvides a wide variety of medical support services including GP services, sexual health support service and vaccination clinics.

Support for students during Practice Placements

While on clinical placements, students are supervised by a Preceptor. This is a registered nurse who has been specially prepared to guide and direct student learning. Students are also supported by the Clinical Placement Co-ordinator, who, ensures that learning outcomes are identified and achieved. Each ward / geographical area has an identified Link Lecturer from the School who is available to link with the student when they are on clinical placement to support them and manage any issues that arise. This helps ensure that there is a close liaison between the university and clinical practice in the support of students.

Key Facts

Duration

4 years

Nest Start Date

September 2024

A level Grades (2023)

Average intake

QQI/FET FETAC Entry Routes

CAO

GY 515

Entry Requirements

Minimum Grade H5 in two subjects and passes in four other subjects at O6/H7 level in the Leaving Certificate, including Irish, English, Mathematics, a laboratory science subject (i.e. Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Physics with Chemistry (joint) or Agricultural Science), and any two other subjects recognised for entry purposes.

Additional Requirements

Health requirements: Nursing and midwifery are demanding professions, both physically and emotionally. This requires good mental and physical health and the ability to achieve the required competencies of a midwife. Students will be required to complete a Preplacement Health Assessment Form and as necessary undergo a medical assessment/screening. This aligns with the Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland framework as detailed in "Nursing/Midwifery A Career for You (2023)"

Vaccination and Screening: Registered students must engage with the School of Nursing and Midwifery Vaccination and Screening programme in collaboration with the clinical partners and in line with the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) Immunisation and Health Information for Health Care Workers and others in At-Risk Occupations. Vaccinations are not mandatory, however, a student who declines to be immunised against these illnesses or who has a confirmed medical contraindication to a vaccine, and as a result will not be in a position to acquire the necessary skills or core competencies and in agreement with clinical partners will be denied placement and unable to continue on this programme.

Statutory and Mandatory Training: Statutory and Mandatory training are defined as training and skills that must be successfully completed and updated to participate and remain skilled in safe clinical practice.

Statutory Training: Training which is explicitly required by law; or required on the instruction of a statutory body on the basis of specific legislation. Statutory training is mandatory for all students attending placements.

Mandatory training is compulsory training that is deemed essential by an organisation for the safe and efficient delivery of services.

The Statutory and Mandatory training and Skills for ALL students are stipulated by the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive and include the following:

Manual Handling & People Handling training is completed in year 1 and updated in year 3
AHA Basic Life Support (BLS) Provider Course (complete in year 1 and updated in year 3)
Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections to include:
- Hand hygiene (update at least once in each academic year)
- Exposure to blood and body fluids (Updated in year 3)
- Waste management (Updated in year 3)
- Personal Protective Equipment (Updated in year 3)
- Children First (Updated in year 3)
- Irish Maternity Early Warning System (INEWS)

Students must satisfactorily participate and obtain certification of completion/achieve competency in training and other health requirements to commence/continue with the programme.

Garda Vetting

In line with the requirements of the programme nursing and midwifery students in the University of Galway will undertake placements with external agencies, bringing them into contact with the public during which they will assume positions of trust. To ensure the protection of the public, and justify public trust and confidence, the University is committed to ensuring that only suitable candidates undertake these programmes. University of Galway uses the Garda National Vetting Bureau (GNVB) and where applicable, may liaise with other vetting services* to assess the suitability of applicants for admission to such programmes. The University of Galway requires that students on nursing and midwifery programmes be Garda Vetted before they fully complete their registration as a student of the University. Students who have not completed their Garda Vetting will be registered provisionally until Garda Clearance is obtained. In the event where applicants do not meet the Garda Vetting requirements of the University, registration on such programmes is subject to cancellation.

*Overseas Police Clearance – Students with addresses outside of Ireland

Please note that Garda clearance will only cover addresses in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. If you have resided in countries outside of the Republic of Ireland / Northern Ireland for a period of 6 months or more from the date of your 16th birthday, it is mandatory for you to furnish the Admissions Office with a Police Clearance Certificate from those countries stating that you have/have not convictions recorded against you while residing there. Please ensure you apply for this as soon as possible as it can take up to 3 months to obtain.

Course Outline

The students on the programme must successfully complete the following theory and practice modules to be eligible for registration as a general nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland.

The course provides an excellent foundation in the theory and practice skills required for contemporary nursing and enables students to become knowledgeable, competent, safe, and highly skilled practitioners. Both the School and the programme has a strong research foundation so that our graduates are well informed and evidence-based practitioners who have the skills needed to address global health issues.

For the graduate of the Bachelor of Nursing Science (General) to be eligible to practice as a Registered Nurse, the student will meet the following programme learning outcomes as outlined by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (2023).

Acquire the knowledge, professional values and discipline specific competencies to deliver safe, high quality, compassionate, ethical, legal and accountable practice across the life spectrum, and in diverse healthcare settings.
Demonstrate knowledge, clinical skills and professional behaviours underpinned by the Scope of Nursing and Midwifery Practice Framework (NMBI 2015) and the Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics for Registered Nurses and Registered Midwives (the Code) (NMBI 2021).
Practise as a competent registered nurse to assess, plan, prioritise, deliver and evaluate nursing care based on a comprehensive and systematic assessment of health and nursing needs in consultation with the person receiving such care, their representative and the multidisciplinary team.
Apply theoretical principles to the practice of nursing using professional judgment, critical reasoning, problem solving and self-reflection derived from an evidence base and from the applied life, health and social sciences.
Deliver person-centred, high-quality and safe nursing care based on a collaborative relationship with a person receiving such care that respects their dignity, autonomy, self-determination and rights to make health and life choices across the health spectrum.
Demonstrate skills of effective communication, delegation, inter-professional liaison and team working to promote the quality and safety of the healthcare environment.
Maintain competency to develop and enhance the capacity for self-awareness, reflective practice, leadership and professional scholarship.
Apply evidence from an appraisal of research studies relevant to the division of nursing to the practice of it.

Students will take 23 theory modules and 8 clinical modules during the four years of the programme. Module content is viewed as interconnected and interdependent on each other. The table below outlines the modules taken each semester for each year of the programme. Modules are designated as either theory or clinical practice:

Theory modules aim to provide students with the necessary knowledge and skills on which to base care delivery.
Modules are also identified as shared, profession-discipline specific or shared/profession-discipline specific.
Shared modules refer to modules that are taken by all groups (General, Mental health, and Midwifery)
Profession-Discipline Specific is a specialist module which focuses on the Discipline/Profession specialty.

In all theory modules there is an emphasis on exploring the relevance of module content to practice. Similarly, practice modules allow students to explore “new” knowledge in the reality of the practice setting, thus providing students with an opportunity to integrate theory and practice.

36-week Clinical Internship in Year 4 of the programme provides students with an opportunity to consolidate their clinical skills and become confident in their abilities. Modules in Year 4 Semester 2 concentrate on preparing students for the transition from student to qualified practitioner.

Practice Placement

Practice modules are sited in the clinical setting and focus on the integration of theory and practice. Theory and practice are juxtaposed to enable students to assimilate classroom learning with experiential learning in the clinical practice area. Practice placement are an essential component of the programme, ensuring that the student has sufficient opportunities to develop skill and competence in care provision and decision making . meeting the requirements for professional registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI 2023). Practice modules are sequenced throughout the programme and commence in Year 1 Semester 1. This is in line with the Requirements and Standards from (NMBI 2024) for an early clinical placement. Careful consideration has been given to the timing of practice placements to ensure that students can enhance their skills with each practice experience, while simultaneously building on the preceding experience.

Students take advantage of the various areas of expertise available within HSE West - University Hospital Galway, Portiuncula University Hospital, Merlin Park University Hospital, Blackrock Health Galway Clinic and Bon Secours Hospital Galway. Below is a summary of the placements

Year 1 to Year 3 of the programme the student spends between 8-17 weeks each year out in practice placement integrated across each semester. In year 4 of the programme, the students spend the final 36 weeks of the programme out on clinical internship see table below for full account of placement each year

Below is a summary table of the theoretical modules and practice placements completed across the 4 years

	Theoretical Content			Practice Placements
	General Modules	ECTS	Groups	No. Of Weeks	Placement Speciality
YEAR 1	Health and Applied Biosciences 1	10	Shared	8 Weeks	General Medical and General Surgical experience in the acute hospital setting
	The Nature of Nursing	5	Discipline Specific
	Foundations of Nursing Practice	10	Discipline Specific
	Clinical Practice 1 &2	15 two sem.	Discipline Specific
	Research and Evidence for Practice 1	5	Shared
	Applied Health 1	10	Discipline Specific
	Communication and Interpersonal Skills	5	Shared
	Practice assessment	PASS/FAIL	Discipline Specific
	Clinical Practice Hours	PASS/FAIL	Discipline Specific
YEAR 2	Community Care & Specialist Client Groups	10	Discipline Specific	17 weeks	3 Weeks: Acute Hospital, 12 Weeks: Specialty including Older Persons, Learning Disability, Mental Health, Maternity/Paediatrics, Community, and a Self-Selected Placement.
	Health & Applied Biosciences 2	10	Shared
	Concepts of Pain & Life Limiting Conditions	5	Discipline Specific
	Research & evidence for practice 2	5	Shared
	Applied Health 2	10	Discipline Specific
	Sociology of Health & Healthcare	5	Shared
	Clinical Practice 3 & 4	15	Discipline Specific
	Practice assessment	PASS/FAIL	Discipline Specific
	Clinical Practice Hours	PASS/FAIL	Discipline Specific
YEAR 3	The Acutely Ill Adult	10	Discipline Specific	12 weeks	Two of the following Acute Hospital placements rotations: 6 Weeks: Medical, 6 Weeks Surgical or 6 Weeks Specialty (Emergency Care, Theatre, Paediatrics/Maternity)
	Health Promotion	5	Discipline Specific
	Law & Ethics	5	Shared
	Living Well with Long Term Conditions	10	Discipline Specific
	Medicines and Clinical Practice	10	Discipline Specific
	Elective Module	5	Discipline Specific
	Clinical Practice 5 &6	10	Discipline Specific
	Clinical Judgement and Decision Making	10	Discipline Specific
	Practice assessment	PASS/FAIL	Discipline Specific
	Clinical Practice Hours	PASS/FAIL	Discipline Specific
Year 4	Leading and Developing practice	10	Shared	Sem 1: 8 weeks Sem 2: 36 weeks	6 weeks of the rotation not completed in year 3 and 2 weeks pre-internship Medical or Surgical wards. Clinical internship (4 rotations of 9 week each, medical surgical placements) which runs from January to September. During the internship period, the student will be an employee of HSE West and are paid a salary.
	Clinical Practice 7	10	Discipline Specific
	Research project	20	Discipline Specific
	Clinical Internship	15	Discipline Specific
	Transition to Practice	5	Discipline Specific
	Practice assessment	PASS/FAIL	Discipline Specific
	Clinical Practice Hours	PASS/FAIL	Discipline Specific

Study Abroad and Erasmus

There is study abroad opportunities within Europe and beyond that are available for students through the Erasmus Programme and other international partnerships with universities and/or care facilities in different countries such as Spain, USA, Kenya, and Tanzania.

Learning and Teaching

At the School of Nursing and Midwifery, we aim to deliver a high-quality learning environment that embeds intellectual curiosity, innovation and best practice in learning, teaching and student support to enable students to achieve their full academic potential. We provide a range of learning experiences which enable our students to engage with subject experts, develop attributes and perspectives that will equip them for life to work and make use of innovative technologies. A world class library that enhances their development as independent, lifelong learners. Examples of the opportunities provided for learning on this programme are:

E-Learning technologies

Information associated with lectures and assignments is often communicated via a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) called Canvas. A range of e-learning experiences are also embedded in the degree through, for example: interactive group workshops in a flexible learning space, podcasts and interactive web-based learning activities.

Lectures

Introduce information about new topics as a starting point for further self- directed private study/reading. Lectures also provide opportunities to ask questions, gain some feedback and advice on assessments (normally delivered in large groups to all year group peers)

Practical and Simulation Based Education

We provide opportunities to develop technical skills and apply theoretical principles to real-life or practical contexts in our clinical skills labs and simulation suite.

Self-directed study

Self-directed study is an essential part of life as a University of Galway student. This time affords the student with opportunities to undertake important private reading, engagement with e-learning resources, reflection on feedback to date and research work for assignments.

Seminars/tutorials/workshops

Significant amounts of teaching are carried out in small groups (typically 10-20 students). These provide an opportunity for students to engage with academic staff who have specialist knowledge of the topic. This affords the student opportunities to ask questions, to assess progress and understanding with the support of peers. Students are also expected to make presentations and other contributions to peer groups.

Interprofessional Education (IPE)

Students have opportunities to engage in interprofessional learning.

Attendance

Students are expected to achieve 100% attendance in all the components of the programme (theory and practice).

Assessment

Assessments are carried out in a variety of formats, including written assignments, exams, poster and oral presentations, dissertations, project work, case studies and clinical skills assessment.

The way in which students are assessed will vary according to the learning outcomes of each module. Details of how each module is assessed is provided to all students at the start of each module.

Why Choose This Course?

University of Galway is ranked in the top 100 of universities worldwide according to the major World University Rankings.

Our internationally recognised Bachelor of Nursing Science (General) course at University of Galway is in high demand, as demonstrated by the consistently high points required for entry to the course. Students on this programme experience a broad range of clinical placements across a number of university hospitals and community facilities, as well as opportunities to complete self-selected placements in other jurisdictions.

Career opportunities:

There are many career opportunities for registered nurses e.g. staff nurse, unit manager, Assistant Director of Nursing, Director of Nursing, educator, researcher, Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist, management, and leadership roles. Registered nurses may also advance their careers in a hospital setting, the community, lecturing or research roles. All these diverse roles contribute to enhancing nursing care offered to people.

Further Education Opportunities:

There are a variety of continuing professional development opportunities available to graduates of this programme, in particular postgraduate programmes within the School of Nursing and Midwifery at the University of Galway.

Nursing graduates can pursue further study at Post Graduate Diploma, Masters (MSc Advanced Practice Nursing) and PhD level.

Who Teaches this Course

Academic staff teach the course from School of Nursing and Midwifery in collaboration with specialist nurses from clinical practice. The Programme Director is Mr Bernard Mc Carthy.