Students who pursue a nursing education select a profession and embark on a compassionate journey, fully committed to healing and profoundly impacting society. Nursing is a fusion of empathy and science, requiring a deep understanding of medical principles, patient care, and the ability to adapt to evolving healthcare practices.
Ireland stands out as a favoured destination for students aspiring to study nursing due to its globally esteemed education system in this field. Irish universities and colleges offer exceptional nursing programs emphasising theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
If you want to study nursing in Ireland and pursue your career as a nursing professional, book a free consultation with SI-Ireland now to discuss your options or start the application process.
Six Benefits of Nursing as a Career
1. Job security
Nursing can be considered a recession-resistant profession, as the demand for nurses always remains high. This demand usually increases in health emergencies, such as the pandemic, and when many people are ageing and need constant care. The several career opportunities in nursing ensure a steady and secure job market for skilled nurses across the globe.
2. Career versatility
Nursing offers graduates many options for working in different healthcare settings, like hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, and home health. You could also specialise in different healthcare areas, like paediatrics, critical care, or mental health, and contribute to caring for specific segments of patients.
3. Emotional fulfilment
Nursing work can be a deeply rewarding calling as it allows you to positively impact the health and lives of patients and their family members. The sense of fulfilment derived from helping others is one of the most significant benefits that people look out for while choosing a profession.
4. Global opportunities
Nursing qualifications, particularly Irish nursing degrees, are recognised worldwide. This means you can take up nurse jobs in your home country or explore abroad, making it a highly mobile profession that takes you places. As a nurse, you will play a pivotal role in public health initiatives, disease prevention, and health education, which can help you make a considerable global impact at any location you choose.
5. Continuous learning
Healthcare is an ever-evolving field, with breakthroughs coming to tackle the world's increasing health issues. Nurses who can readily adapt to these changes are more likely to be successful. Being a lifelong learner while caring for patients usually becomes a part of this extraordinary journey. You can pursue advanced degrees, specialisations, and certifications to enhance your skills and knowledge, and you can contribute to the combined knowledge in the field by going for research programmes in nursing.
6. High earning potential
The nursing field offers competitive salaries, and with experience and advanced degrees, you can earn a significant income. Specialised nurses, like nurse anaesthetists or practitioners, often command higher salaries. The average salary of registered nurses in Ireland can be around €45,637 per year, which may also increase when professionals gain more experience working as nurses.
Top Five Universities in Ireland for Nursing
Irish nursing education produces highly skilled nurses who can care for patients in various healthcare settings. The top five universities offering nursing courses in Ireland are discussed below, according to the 2023 QS World University Rankings by Subject.
University College Cork
University College Cork is a renowned institution offering comprehensive and high-quality nursing education through various programmes, including undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. These degrees by the School of Nursing and Midwifery at the university usually lead to specialisations in specific areas such as general nursing, psychiatric nursing, and children's nursing.
- Suggested Course: BSc (Hons) General Nursing
- Entry Requirements: To study one of the best undergraduate courses in Ireland for nursing, applicants must have educational qualifications equivalent to the Irish Leaving Certificate. Proof of English language proficiency through recognised tests is required for international students.
- International Fees: €17,000 per year
- Faculties: School of Nursing and Midwifery
- Campus: Cork
Trinity College Dublin
Trinity College Dublin, often called TCD, is one of Ireland's most reputed institutions. It offers many nursing education degrees that stand out for their commitment to producing highly skilled healthcare professionals. Students can easily take up options from a range of nursing programmes at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, which can be covered through various specialisations.
- Suggested Course: Master of Science in Nursing
- Entry Requirements: Applicants are usually required to be registered nurses in their country with an honours degree in nursing. English language proficiency is also required for international students.
- International Fees: € 22,290 per year
- Faculties: School of Nursing & Midwifery
- Campus: Dublin
University College Dublin
The UCD School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems offers numerous nursing programmes, from undergraduate to postgraduate degrees, that focus on making the students skilled and compassionate healthcare professionals. Students can specialise in areas such as general nursing, psychiatric nursing, children's nursing, and intellectual disability nursing.
- Suggested Course: BSc (Hons) General Nursing
- Entry Requirements: Candidates must have educational qualifications equivalent to the Irish Leaving Certificate, and international students must show proof of English language proficiency through recognised tests.
- International Fees: € 27,720 per year
- Faculties: UCD School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems
- Campus: Dublin
University of Galway
The University of Galway's School of Nursing and Midwifery offers diverse nursing programmes. Students can pursue undergraduate and postgraduate degrees and specialise in general nursing, psychiatric nursing, intellectual disability nursing, or children's nursing.
- Suggested Course: Bachelor of Nursing Science
- Entry Requirements: Applicants must have educational qualifications equivalent to the Irish Leaving Certificate with a science background. International students must also prove English language proficiency.
- International Fees: € 26,640
- Faculties: School of Nursing & Midwifery
- Campus: Galway
University of Limerick
The University of Limerick (UL) offers several nursing programmes through its Department of Nursing & Midwifery, known for producing highly skilled healthcare professionals. Specialisation options are available, like respiratory care nursing, mental health nursing, dementia care nursing, and palliative care nursing, among others.
- Suggested Course: Master of Science- Nursing Studies
- Entry Requirements: Applicants must have a Level 8 honours degree in a relevant subject and be registered as a nurse with an appropriate registration board. English language proficiency would be required for international students.
- International Fees: € 17,304 per year
- Faculties: Department of Nursing & Midwifery
- Campus: Limerick
Study Nursing in Ireland
If you want to learn more, arrange a free consultation with SI-Ireland today.
Nursing in Ireland FAQ
Why should one choose Ireland for a nursing job?
One can choose Ireland for a nursing job as the country has a well-regarded healthcare system, providing several career opportunities. Ireland is committed to patient-centred care and provides nurses with various continuous professional development options. All these aspects make the field particularly attractive for nurses seeking a fulfilling and successful career.
Which province is best for a nursing job in Ireland?
The province of Leinster is best for a nursing job in Ireland.
What are the various categories of Nurses in Ireland?
In Ireland, nurses are categorised into various roles based on their qualifications and areas of expertise. The primary categories are general nurses, psychiatric nurses, children's nurses and intellectual disability nurses.
Are there any organisations or unions for nurses in Ireland?
Yes, some organisations and unions represent nurses in Ireland. One of the major ones is the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organization, which advocates for nurses and midwives. The Psychiatric Nurses Association (PNA) focuses on representing psychiatric nurses and addressing their specific concerns.
