TUS Athlone announces 50 new nursing places
Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) has announced 50 additional places for the BSc (Hons) in General Nursing programme from September 2023 for CAO and QQI students.
Dr Des Cawley, Head of Department of Nursing and Health at the TUS Athlone campus, confirmed: “This progress is in line with both the Department of Health and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science policies, which have been designed to meet the growing demand for competent health professionals within a modern integrated health system in which nursing plays a pivotal role.”
The Higher Education Authority was tasked by the Department of Further and Higher Education to establish how additional capacity might be provided in healthcare and veterinary medicine.
The report has found that, with investment, an additional 208 doctors, 692 nurses, 196 pharmacists, 63 dentists and 230 vets can be trained annually. This could result in an increase of more than 5,000 third-level enrolments across all years when rolled out.
President of TUS, Professor Vincent Cunnane, welcomed this initiative by adding, “The expansion of Nursing at TUS is an important pillar in developing healthcare programmes in line with the strategic plan of TUS.”
The additional BSc (Hons) in General Nursing programme places are open to all CAO applicants, including leaving certificate applicants, QQI students and those on the mature entry pathways.
Nursing at the TUS Athlone campus was established twenty-five years ago, and has over twenty years of experience running an honours degree programme. The department has worked closely with the Health Service Executive (HSE) since its inception and development.
Nursing Students at the TUS Athlone Campus complete clinical placements in modern acute hospitals in Mullingar, Tullamore and Portlaoise as part of their 4-year degree programme, in addition to the acute sector, community and integrated care settings across the midland region.
Students can also gain clinical placement experience in various private healthcare pathways in hospitals such as Blackrock Health Hermitage Clinic, Charter Medical Hospital, UPMC Ireland, and the Bon Secours Hospital group