First new nursing school in over 20 years to accept students in Maynooth in September

Eva Osborne

Ireland's first new school of nursing in over 20 years will welcome its first students in September, following official approval by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).

Applications for Maynooth University's new BSc in General Nursing programme open on August 28th through the CAO ‘Available Places’ facility.

The first intake of 30 students will commence their undergraduate studies in September.

Founding Head of the new MU School of Nursing, Professor Fintan Sheerin, said student numbers are expected to rise to 100 over the next four years.

“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," Prof Sheerin said.

"We are ideally placed to take the lead in tackling challenges and in re-shaping Irish healthcare education and service delivery.

“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 per cent of our students will come from further education and mature learners.”

Minister for Higher Education, James Lawless, said: “This new undergraduate nursing programme at Maynooth University marks an important step in expanding healthcare education in one of Ireland’s fastest-growing regions. It is a new and exciting direction for Maynooth University.

“I greatly look forward to the impact these graduates will have in addressing workforce needs in our health service, which is a key priority of government.

"Work is underway to expand healthcare programmes and increase supply of graduates to meet acute skills shortages. This new nursing programme is a very welcome addition to achieving that goal.

"The new School of Nursing will ensure that communities across Ireland will benefit from a new generation of highly trained nurses."