New school of nursing opens its doors

Maynooth University’s new School of Nursing will welcome its first students in September, following official approval by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).

Applications for the School’s BSc in General Nursing programme opened on August 28, through the CAO ‘Available Places’ facility. The first intake of 30 students will commence their undergraduate studies in September.

Prof Fintan Sheerin, founding head of the new School, said student numbers are expected to rise to 100 over the next four years.

The nursing programme, established by Prof Sheerin and his colleagues Dr Adeline Cooney and Dr Myles Hackett, reflects the policy recommendations of the Expert Review of Nursing and Midwifery Curriculum published last year.

Based in the Eolas Building on the Maynooth campus, the School incorporates a state-of-the-art clinical skills and simulation laboratory that mirrors hospital and community care environments. 

While a bachelor of science in general nursing will be the core programme, the School will later incorporate other areas of nursing and is expanding to postgraduate programmes and research and innovation.

Prof Sheerin said: “Maynooth University is in a unique position in establishing a wholly new school of nursing. This hasn’t been done in an Irish university for about two decades. 

“We are ideally placed to take the lead in tackling challenges and in re-shaping Irish healthcare education and service delivery,” he continued.

“Our new School of Nursing is at the forefront of a new wave in healthcare education. We are committed to inclusive pathways for diverse learners – that was explicit in our commitment that 50% of our students will come from further education and mature learners.”

Prof Sheerin added that the University aims to become a leader in e-health.

“Digital health innovation is also a key component of the nursing curriculum. Maynooth University has the opportunity to be a leader in digital health integration and sustainability,” he said.

See www.maynoothuniversity.ie for further information.