Study in Donegal

Michelle is taking a unique route to a BSc (Hons) General Nursing Degree at Atlantic Technological University, which she will begin in September, by starting with the ETB’s FET Service.

The past year has been nothing but enjoyable for Michelle as she embraces a journey that she knew she was always meant to take.

Michelle, who is from Inishowen and now living in Convoy, had a successful career as an Early Years Educator before making the switch to nursing.

“When I did my Leaving Cert, I didn’t get the points for nursing so I went an alternative route,” Michelle said, describing how she did a health and social care course in Derry that led her to a career in childcare.

“I loved childcare and I was happy but there was always that internal want to be a nurse,” she said.

Now that her children are older (aged 16 and 18) she decided: “Now is my time to follow my dreams, now I can give in the time that I need to give in.

“Having left full-time employment going into this, you are taking a big leap of faith but the only thing you’ll regret is not doing it.”

The timing was just right, as new Tertiary Degrees were launched by the Department of Further and Higher Education for local delivery by Donegal ETB and ATU. The programme is a pathway to preparing students for third level education.

After a year of training at her local Education and Training Board (ETB) in Letterkenny, Michelle will gain a full QQI Level 5 Award that will allow her to directly progress to the General Nursing degree programme at ATU’s Letterkenny campus.

“I didn’t have to worry about CAO and limited spaces and I knew I would be guaranteed to get straight in,” Michelle said.

Michelle is driven by a goal to become a midwife, but for now, she’s keeping her options open.

“Maybe when I'm in there, something else might spark my interest,” she said.

Modules on the tertiary degree include Anatomy and Physiology, Care of the Older Person, Nursing Theory and Practice, Infection Prevention and Control and Communications. Part of the course is 60 hours of work placement, which Michelle did at a local nursing home. She learned a broad spectrum of the different levels of care required and has already taken up part-time employment as a Healthcare Assistant.

No prior knowledge of nursing or healthcare is required to join the tertiary degree, and Michelle said the support offered by Donegal ETB has been “just fantastic”.

“If you have some caring experience it is going to stand to you but you will learn everything you need to know as you do it,” she said.

“If someone is thinking about doing this and worried about working a computer, there is extra support with IT. There is also support for maths, for anybody with dyslexia, as well as career guidance.

“You are learning so much and you are exposed to what your potential could be.”

Michelle finds personal motivation through her drive to learn.

“I'm doing this for me, I am also doing it to show there are options post Leaving Cert and you’re never too old to follow your dreams and be what you want to be. If the Leaving Cert doesn't work out there are always alternative routes,” she said.

There’s a new dynamic in Michelle’s house, where she has the advantage of dedicating time to go into her spare room and study, as her children are more independent.

“I’m definitely studying way more than my son is!,” she says.

“Further education is not like secondary school, you do need to put in the time and the work but support is there if you need it, you are treated like an adult and respected for your input. There is a good workload of exams and practical demonstrations, but it is all doable.”

Participants on the course will already have a QQI Level 5 in Nursing Studies “in the bag” before they begin at ATU. They’ll have built academic skills and confidence to progress, all while finding their footing in the sector.

“We have been very fortunate with the tutors. They were so helpful and had fountains of knowledge,” Michelle adds.

“Other benefits are you get the loan of a laptop, our fees are paid for the first year and you can also apply for SUSI grant and other bursaries going forward.”

Michelle says she is “slightly confident and slightly nervous” for the next big step in her education but encourages anybody who has any inkling to “go for it”.

“The degree gives so much support that if you have the desire in you to do it, you are halfway there, just give the time for yourself, follow your dreams and go for it.

“Not once have I regretted going in there, it’s so interesting and fun and I have made such great friends.”

Michelle’s tertiary degree course is one of four available through Donegal ETB’s FET Service (the others are in Business, Industrial Laboratory Science and Sustainable Engineering Technologies) – you’ll find further information about them on their website, where you can also apply online at any time: www.donegaletb.ie/tertiarydegrees.