The Aim of the Nursing Studies Course is to:

• Provide foundation skills and entry requirements to access degree courses in Nursing.
• Develop a range of personal and interpersonal qualities necessary for work in a range of care environments.
• Be capable of creating and maintaining appropriate relationships with the client, their family and other professionals involved in their care.
• Acquire specialist knowledge, skills and competence in the role of the care assistant.
• Reflect on your abilities and aptitudes to work as a care assistant.
• Demonstrate good practice in working as a care assistant.

Nursing Studies Course Modules

• Introduction to Nursing
• Anatomy and Physiology 
• Human Growth and Development
• Care Provision and Practice
• Work Experience
• Communications
• Health and Safety at Work
• Manual Lifting and Handling of Patients

The Nursing Studies course will be delivered over one academic year. Work experience is a mandatory module for this award, therefore, students should be aware that they will be required to carry out 100 hours work experience outside of scheduled class time in order to satisfy the requirements of the FETAC work experience module.  This will provide an opportunity to merge classroom learning with practical experience under the tutelage of experienced and qualified professionals. 

It is recommended that each student should secure a work experience placement in their locality that does not conflict with class time or their own personal/work commitments and prior to commencing the course to alleviate any pressure once the course has commenced. ‘If however, the student is finding it difficult to find a placement the college are willing to support the student in this regard from our wide network of Nursing Home contacts.’

Dorset College is registered with the Garda vetting Unit and is now in a position to offer students a Garda vetting service.  As of the 1st July there is an approximate 15 week backlog in processing applications with the Garda Vetting Unit.

On successful completion of the Nursing Studies Course students will be awarded the following:

•  Major Award: FETAC Nursing Studies Certificate Level 5 
• Certificate in Manual Handling

Graduates who have successfully completed this course are eligible for consideration for academic progression routes in Nursing and related Health Studies in Universities and Institutes of Technology in Ireland. Options include Level 8 Bachelor of Science in General Nursing and other specialist Nursing degree courses in D.C.U. and U.C.D and 10 other regional Universities and Institutes.   Related HETAC Level 8 Degrees include Social Studies in Social Care and Health Promotion and Physical Activity. 

Related Courses
Major Award: FETAC Healthcare Support Studies Certificate Level 5
FETAC Gerontology Component Certificate level 6
FETAC Child Psychology Component Certificate Level  5
FETAC Special Needs Assisting Certificate Level 5