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A BRIEF HISTORY OF NURSING AND MIDWIFERY: PROGRAMME LEVEL AND APPLICATION PROCESS
Up to 1994 pre-registration programmes in nursing were at certificate level and took place in healthcare agencies with attached schools of nursing, which were under the auspices of the health services.
In 1994 the first three-year pre-registration diploma programme commenced in general nursing with a link to a Higher Education Institution (NUIG).
By 1998 all pre-registration three-year programmes in general nursing, mental handicap nursing and psychiatric nursing were at diploma level and all were linked with Higher Education Institutions.
The four-year degree programme commenced in 2002 in all pre-registration programmes in general nursing, mental handicap nursing and psychiatric nursing.
The year 2001 was the first year that application to nursing was through the CAO system. In that year, although application was through the CAO, the Application Form for Nursing was separate from the main CAO Application Form. This separate form contained 3 sections: general nursing, mental handicap nursing and psychiatric nursing. This meant that an applicant could apply for 30 programmes in nursing as well as the 20 non-nursing degree and diploma courses on the main CAO Form.
In 2002, nursing was on the main CAO Form. However, the Form contained five separate sections. This meant that again an applicant could apply for 50 programmes, including 10 general nursing, 10.mental handicap nursing and 10 psychiatric nursing
In 2003, nursing became part of the CAO Degree List for the first time, thereby giving a choice of 10 Degree programmes, including nursing. For the first time, nursing was now in competition with all degree courses on the CAO system, as well as with itself.
In 2004, the NQAI placed the pre-registration programmes in nursing at Level 8 honours degree.
In 2005, the term mental handicap nursing was changed to intellectual disability nursing.
In 2006, a four year honours degree (Level 8 NQAI) programme in midwifery was offered for the first time at pre-registration level.
In 2006, a four and a half year honours degree (Level 8 NQAI) integrated programme in children’s nursing (previously called sick children’s/paediatric nursing) and general nursing was offered for the first time at pre-registration level.
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