Program Overview

The Bachelor of Nursing Science (General) course is an internationally recognized four-year degree programme during which students learn the art and science of nursing.

The University of Galway provides this programme in partnership with the Saolta University Health Care Group, Blackrock Health Galway Clinic, and Bon Secours Hospital Galway. The programme consists of theoretical and clinical modules. The theoretical content aims to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to underpin their professional practice. The teaching and learning strategies include lectures, seminars, workshops, experiential learning, clinical skills education and simulation in our state-of-the-art clinical skills and simulation suite. The programme focuses on person-centered care and positive therapeutic relationships, communication skills, therapeutic interventions, and inter-professional team working, to enrich student experiences and help them prepare for the reality of professional practice in an ever-changing health care environment. These are further supported by clinical modules, which are undertaken in practice settings such as acute hospitals, community and in specialist placements.

Clinical modules are undertaken in the practice setting where students get a broad range of clinical experience in different clinical placement sites across the Saolta University Health Care Group, Blackrock Health Galway Clinic, and Bon Secours Hospital Galway. Additionally, students will attend placements in various community settings. Experts in the nursing and allied health professions will support students to become caring, compassionate professionals, working in partnership with people, families, and communities. The first three years of the programme are run within the academic year and include a combination of theory modules and clinical practice modules. Practice modules will require students to be in clinical practice for 32 hours per week. Year four comprises of clinical and theory instruction in semester one and a 36-week internship in clinical practice which runs from January to September. During the internship period, the student is an employee of the Saolta University Health Care Group and are paid a salary.