How to Become a Nurse in Ireland

If you have a caring nature and want to make a real difference in people’s lives, you may consider becoming a nurse in Ireland. Whether you want to look into the role of midwives or simple general nursing, there are many opportunities available to you. Before you get started, it’s worth doing some research so that you can understand all of the facts. 

In the following guide, we will take a look at what it takes to become a registered nurse and the steps you need to take to get started. No matter what your qualification level is right now, there is a way that you can enter this fast-paced and interesting field. If you’re unsure where to begin, we have you covered. If you want to learn more, you have come to the right place.

Before we go any further, let’s talk about what nurses do. As you might imagine, nurses take care of patients in a variety of healthcare settings, including care homes, hospitals, and surgeries. On some occasions, they may also do home visits if the patients are too weak to attend one of the above. Nurses have a range of important duties, including: 

Of course, it should come as no surprise that every day is different when you are a nurse. Ultimately, you can choose to work in a wide range of settings. As we have covered, you may choose to go into general nursing, children’s nursing, mental health support, physical health nursing, and more. Irish nurses have plenty of opportunities available to them. The nursing programme that you choose may allow you to specialise in one of these sectors. 

Now that you understand what a nurse does let’s talk about how much money you will make. Nurses can expect to earn between €33,193 and €50,865, with various bands of pay between those two figures depending on the length of time in the role. Meanwhile, specialist nurses, such as clinical nurses, can earn as much as €66,622.

As a registered nurse, you will be able to work for the HSE or on a private basis. Consider looking into both pathways when it comes to planning your career. That way, you can easily determine which one is right for you and your skill set. When you have gained a four-year nursing degree or a postgraduate diploma in this field, you will have many options. 

Ready to start studying? If you want to become a registered nurse, you will first need to learn what the steps are. The most obvious route to this career is to gain a nursing degree from the offset. As we have already mentioned, you may also want to gain a postgraduate diploma in nursing if you have a healthcare-related undergraduate. Of course, there are many other routes available, and it’s worth deciding which one suits your lifestyle. 

For example, you may choose to undertake a nursing apprenticeship, complete nursing courses on your own terms, or look into other schemes. The first step in the process is making an application request and gaining an application pack. In some cases, you may also need to complete an aptitude test. 

You may have to use the Central Applications Office (CAO) for this. When you have done that, you will need to fill out the relevant forms to get started. If you are accepted, you will have the chance to study and become a registered nurse. The various modules that you undertake will give you an overview of the skills that you need to become a nurse.

Once you have completed your studies, you will get a leaving certificate. You may also need to complete a registration application on the NMBI website. If you choose to specialise in a specific area of nursing, there may be more red tape to deal with. For example, you may have to complete an overseas registration or register with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland. For further information, look at the syllabus of your course.

If you’re thinking of becoming a nurse in Ireland, there are certain skills you will need. This job is high-pressured and fast-paced. However, it is extremely rewarding. As such, you will need to have the following skill set to become a nurse: 

As part of your training, you’ll complete a placement, so you won’t need to gain experience in your own time outside of your training.

If you have your mind set on becoming a nurse, it is worth understanding what your prospects are. Should you complete your studies and become a registered nurse, there are many doors that will open for you. You may choose to become a senior nurse, a mental health specialist, or work specifically with patients who have an intellectual disability. Being qualified as a nurse in Ireland can open you up to career opportunities in major cities such as Dublin, Cork or Galway.