Application to Nursing through CAO

FETAC & Mature Students

2011 / 2012

TWO MODES OF APPLICATION INTO NURSING

• At present there are two modes of entry into Nursing

Degree programmes in Ireland:

1. As a standard Leaving Cert or FETAC applicant

who fulfils standard entry requirements and reaches

the points quota

2. As a Mature applicant

Selection Paths into Nursing

Mature applicants to Nursing through the CAO are selected on the basis of:

– CAO Application +– NCC Written Assessment – tests X 4

• Skills / Experience Questionnaire• Verbal Reasoning Test• Numerical Reasoning Test• Job Simulation Test

What is the CAO

• It is the central applications system through which all standard and FETAC applications, together with most mature student applications into third level education are processed.

• In Ireland you must apply through the CAO for all Nursing Degree programmes

Who is a mature Student

• Anyone who is at least 23 years of age on the 1st January of the year of entry

• This year anyone who is at least 23 on 1st January 2012

• Individual colleges can vary – check with admissions offices

How do I apply to Nursing

• Through the CAO only in Ireland• Students who apply for Adelaide & Meath

hospital will be required to complete an additional application form and possibly be called to interview

• Mature students should apply prior to 1st February 2012

• CAO website = www.cao.ie

Application continued

• This year for the first time Trinity College has allocated places for FETAC applicants – No late applicants

• All nursing courses on the CAO are categorised as Level 8 (honours bachelor degrees)

• There are over forty nursing programmes throughout Ireland

• Dublin, Cork, Galway & Limerick University programmes currently require highest points

5 Nursing Programmes1. Children’s & General Nursing (integrated leading to BSc

plus RCN & RGN – 4.5 years

2. General Nursing leading to BSc plus RGN – 4 years

3. Intellectual Disability Nursing leading to BSc plus RNID – 4 years

4. Psychiatric Nursing – leading to BSc plus RPN – 4 years

5. Midwifery leading to BSc plus RM – 4 years

Where to find information on these programmes

• www.qualifax.ie

• www.nursingcareers.ie

• www.cao.ie

• Individual college websites & Open Days

• Careers Office

What should I do if I am interested in a particular nursing course

• Research the course / subject area using – www.qualifax.ie– Individual college websites (all links available

on qualifax)– Check out financial eligibility at

www.studentfinance.ie – Talk to guidance counsellor– Contact college admissions office / individual

college departments / Attend open days

Course research Continued

• Do your research October – December. Don’t leave it till the last minute. Applicants who have shown strong commitment & ability will have a much greater chance of being selected

• Find out if college operates an established Recognition of Prior Learning policy

• Where relevant identify– Minimum entry requirements / Specific entry requirements– FETAC entry requirements– Fees / Duration of course– Course Content – research your course thoroughly– Level of qualification – Links into further qualifications / professional body

recognitions and exemptions where relevant

Three levels of course at third level

• Level 6 = Certificate

• Level 7 = Ordinary Bachelor Degree

• Level 8 = Honours Bachelor Degree – All Nursing courses are Level 8

How to fill in your Course choice

• You have twenty choices– Ten level 8– Ten level 6 & 7

– You will find the course codes on the CAO website and in qualifax.

– Put your genuinely preferred choice first working down in order of preference

Sample Completed CAO Nursing with some related course options

Level 8 Level 6 / 7

DN110 (General Nursing UCD Standard) BN011 (Applied Social Studies Blanchardstown)

DN111 (General Nursing UCD – Mature code) DT212 (Science DIT)

DN118 (Midwifery UCD Standard) DT425 (Pharmacy Technician Studies – DIT)

DN119 (Midwifery UCD – Mature code) CW106 (Science – Phisiology & Health – Carlow)

TR094 (General & integrated Adelaide & Meath TCD – Mature)

CW717 (Social Studies & Applied Social Care – Carlow)

TR912 (General & integrated TCD – Mature) AL007 (Childcare Supervisory Management – Athlone)

DC225 (General Nursing DCU – Mature) AL006 (Applied Social Studies – Athlone)

DC215 (General Nursing DCU – Standard) AL041 (Pharmacy Technician – Athlone)

DT229 (Clinical Measurement - Standard) AL042 (Dental Nursing – Athlone)

TA325 (Bioanalytical Science – IT Tallaght) TA311 (Bioanalysis & Chemical Analysis – ITT)

Codes & Page 4 = Tricky Bit for Mature Applicants

• If, as a mature applicant you have existing educational qualifications (eg Leaving Cert or FETAC Level 2) you should apply using both standard and mature codes. In other words you apply as:– A mature student

• AND– A standard applicant

• Only one course code should appear in each preference box.

• If it is clear that you have not been successful in your application

into Nursing as a mature applicant before 1st July, you can delete your mature codes on your CAO application and confine your choice to FETAC nursing and broaden into other health and social care options – provided you make changes prior to 1st July

Filling in The Mature Student Section

• If you are over 23, it is strongly recommended that you complete all sections of the CAO application form

• It is your first opportunity to sell yourself on paper to the universities / colleges of your choice. Admissions officers will look for three qualities in particular:

– How interested you are in your chosen subject area– Your level of ability / Commitment in that subject area

– How prepared / ready you are for college life

Filling in the Mature Section continued . .Include all the good stuff you’ve done. .

• They look for both formal and experiential learning• Final Secondary Level qualifications awarded if any• Post secondary level qualifications – Certificate /

Diploma / Degree / VTOS / Access course / FETAC level 5 / PLC / City & Guilds / FÁS etc / Manual Handling / Safe Pass

• Current Studies – FETAC Level 5 / 6 • Non Certificate courses – eg personal development /

film studies / creative writing / evening classes – Proof required

CAO Mature student application continued

• If you run out of space for any sections you may include extra info with your postal documentation

• Employment – Account for gaps / include most recent and most relevant / internships / make sure to include your Work Experience if you are doing a FETAC course

• Voluntary – Very important – genuine evidence of caring and ability to work with others – www.volunteer.ie / your local community / school / church / Order of Malta / St Johns Ambulance / summer projects

• Hobbies & Interests – show membership of clubs and achievements / awards & certificates if relevant / Running a home / garden / community social events / choir / sports

SHOW YOU CARE!• You can paint a good picture of yourself in 1000

words – you may include extra info in post with other documentation

• Above all, colleges are looking for your ability to cope with the academic & personal demands of the course

• Show knowledge of and genuine interest in the courses for which you are applying – so read college prospectus and course descriptions thoroughly – talk to students on the course – attend open days if possible

• Show relevance of your life / educational experiences to the course for which you are applying

• State your educational goals and objectives

• Indicate a reasonable and well thought out long term career plan

The Interview for Mature Applicants has been Discontinued . . .

So make sure you convey the following in your CAO application:

Examples of experience / ability / expertise in the following areas:

• Good Communication Skills• Taking responsibility• Caring / Helping and sensitivity to others• Motivation to do things well• Ability to make decisions

• Full guidelines on NCC website – including deadlines• Success in the above NCC tests does not unfortunately

guarantee a place on a Nursing course.

GET THE DETAILS RIGHT

• Include dates and correct names of organisations where relevant

• Pay careful attention to spelling, punctuation and grammar

• Get someone else to look over your statement before you mail it off.

• Include certified copies of relevant certificates and qualifications. (It is only necessary to send off copies of main official results such as O levels or equivalent of Leaving Certs or existing third level qualifications)

• If English is not your first language make sure you are compliant with individual College competence requirement

Entry Requirements

• Requirements for mature students vary but some or all of the following are taken into account and may be included as recognition of prior learning

• Minimum entry or subject requirements• Relevant work / life experience• Good oral and written communication skills • Relevant vocational & life achievements• Proven ability to succeed and build career

Entry Requirements for FETAC Only Applicants into Nursing = under 23

• PLC students doing Nursing FETAC Level 5 who are under 23 on 1st January of year of application

• Check individual courses for FETAC module requirements and level = NB

• Check Leaving Cert / other Requirement• Number of places• Aim for 8 module distinctions – check re specific

module or Leaving Cert subject requirements

The NCC Assessment – Mature applicants Only

Separate from and in addition to CAO

• Applicants must be successful in NCC written assessment. These take place through April / May

• Results may not be carried forward to a future year (except for deferred entry)

• Written assessment consists of 4 tests: – Test 1: Skills Experience Questionnaire– Test 2: Verbal Test– Test 3: Numerical Test– Test 4: Job Simulation Test– Download familiarisation booklet at www.nursingcareers.ie –

available March– The qualifying score is 650 but the cut off point is closer to 720

Test 1: Skills / Experiences Questionnaire - Points to note

• Looks at your experience, interests and achievements

• Compares your preferences with characteristics that are necessary for a career in nursing

• It is a fair and consistent means of testing• You can find samples of these tests on

www.publicjobs.ie www.nursingboard.ie & in most good bookshops

Tests 2 & 3 Verbal & Numerical Tests

• Multiple Choice• Objectively scored• No penalties for wrong answers• Verbal test measures ability to understand relationships

between pairs of words• Numerical Reasoning test measures ability to

understand the relationship between numbers • Samples of these tests at www.publicjobs.ie

www.nursingboard.ie and in most good bookshops

Test 4: Job Simulation Test

• Presents you with a typical workplace scenario and identifies your likely response / reaction to such a scenario based on your choice of answers

• The test measures skills and qualities including caring for others and taking responsibility

• You may wish to select a number of options for your answer but you are required to select one option only. Can be tricky!

• Samples of these tests are on www.publicjobs.ie

Additional Modes of Assessment for Mature students

FOR SOME HEALTHCARE COURSES YOU WILL ALSO BE ASSESSED UNDER SOME OF THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA – GUIDELINES ONLY

• Recognition of Prior Learning • Aptitude test / interview – Psychology TCD / Nursing / Social

Science UCD• Supplementary pplication form / essay • Garda Vetting• Health Requirement• English Language Proficiency – check with individual college

Additional modes of assessment common to Mature & Standard Code Applicants

• Medical Assessment Self Declaration Form & Medical assessment / screening

• Garda Clearance• References in some cases• Evidence of English competence from applicants whose first

language is not English. This should be clarified well in advance of the closing date for applications. (If in doubt contact Admissions Office of the relevant Higher Education Institution.

• All Non-EU applicants should consult the individual Higher Education Institution literature and the relevant Admissions office to clarify the following: – Application status of the candidate, Selection procedures– Application procedures, Fees

Important dates to Note

• 3rd November on-line application facility available• Closing Date for Mature Applications 1st February 2012 –

Online fee €40 (€30 if application submitted before 20th January 2012)

• Closing date for late applications 1st May (€60 for late application fee - €70 for late application paper application

• CAO does not accept mature student applications for Nursing or other restricted admission courses after 1st February 2012, but you may apply for other courses and make some amendments to your application prior to 1st July

• Latest date for change of mind 1st July 2012• www.cao.ie for full details

NURSING IN NORTHERN IRELAND & UK

• You can apply through UCAS

• Attend UCAS presentation for info on UCAS application

• Look at Queens who have direct application to Nursing - http://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/SchoolofNursingandMidwifery/ Queens take in students twice a year in September & March

Other useful UK sites

• www.nhscareers.nhs.uk

• www.n.i.nhs.uk

• www.nipec.n.i.nhs.uk

• www.nes.scot.nhs.uk

• www.wales.nhs.uk

• www.wales.nhs.uk

Finances

• All universities and institutes of Technology charge registration fees

• EU Students are currently required to pay annual registration fees / student contribution

• Non EU students should contact the individual HEI Admissions department about fees

• To find out of you are eligible for a maintenance grant or other financial supports log onto www.studentfinance.ie

If you do go on to third level education

• Most colleges offer good support for mature students– Student Welfare– Study & Time management support– Personal tutor system– Academic / career / personal

counselling– Disability access & supports

Good luck

Best wishes for a fantastic career in Nursing and a chance to make a real positive difference in the world

And if things don’t go your way this time round: • Resolve to apply again next year – if a career in Nursing is what you

really want• Use the intervening time to build a portfolio of relevant experience,

voluntary activity, additional educational qualifications, contact with healthcare professionals

• Be open to the possibility of other courses & careers in Healthcare. They may also ultimately lead to a career in Nursing

Point of information• All contents of this blog are intended for the purposes of guidelines only. Those

wishing to access the most complete and current information available on applying to Nursing, should consult the relevant websites mentioned in the article.

• Information outlined is based on the author’s own research and long-standing experience as a Guidance Counsellor. It is not intended to replace or represent information provided by any other organisation.

• All views expressed are the author’s own.• For full current and complete information please consult the relevant websites

mentioned in the blog.• © Mary Hosty, Teaching Council of Ireland,

Institute of Guidance Counsellors,

British Psychological Society