Anyone doing nursing in DCU in sept 2011?

timdenn

Hi Just got my offer for mature psychiatric nursing in DCU for Sept 2011. Anyone else going there? Any ideas about accomdation?

Spud5467

Congrats on your offer I'll also be doing Nursing in DCU come September.

I've been looking at accommodation (rent.ie), mainly in Drumcondra. Are you hoping to share with another mature student or just looking for ideas? Lots of places out there at the minute but I guess there would be in the summer. Demand will obviously increase.

Having Lived on my own for a number of years I'm just looking to share with somebody who isnt a complete numpty

timdenn

Hey spud,
Thanks, well done to you on getting a place:D, are you a mature student? I've lived alone for a few years too, i would prefer mature students to live with but i wouldn't be bothered living with school leavers. I heard larkfield is where most first years go. I read its basic enough though. I'm waiting to hear from DCU about the next step.
Thanks for your reply spud

Spud5467

Yeah I'm a mature student (26). I've been studying for the last year (fas courses, fetac minors etc) and there has anyways been a good mix of students. Different age groups, different people etc so I'd be hoping for the same. Hoping for a lot really lol

I don't want to be away from uni, student life etc but not sure Id be happy with first years as in leaving certs. Ive kinda decided 1 or 2 people, ideally matures or professionals would suit me.

What do you mean your waiting from DCU for the next step? Assume you have your grants in order?

timdenn

Hi spud,
I have grants in the process i was just wondering when our medical is on and when we register, an information pack would be handy, i was doing a pre nursing fetac course too. I'd prefer to live with matures too. Are you a man or woman? I'm a 36 year old man. Will be 40 when i qualify:eek:!

Spud5467

I wonder if they'll send information packs out all together, with the leaving Certs and fetac lvl 5 offers? I'm sure we'll hear in good time but feck! lol Only 7 weeks or so left. Will really fly!

Sorting grants myself but I no its going to be a challenge financially. No different from every day then lol

I didnt do the fetac nursing studies but Ive heard its fierce competition, bet your glad you got the exam offer!?

I'm a man btw. I'll be 30 when I qualify and was thinking that'll be a fair age. I guess thats why the universities let old lads like yourself in lol Make everybody else feel that wee bit younger

timdenn

Ya i'm delighted with the offer, Dcu Psych is the biggest intake in the country so i had an inkling i would get it with OOM 329. Are you doing General? Where you from? I'm from cork county so i'll have a nice trek home but i'm so happy i've something to do for the next 4 years, i hate doing nothing, Yes money is tight for all us students but if we can get by and get qualified it would be great.

Spud5467

timdenn wrote: »

Ya i'm delighted with the offer, Dcu Psych is the biggest intake in the country so i had an inkling i would get it with OOM 329. Are you doing General? Where you from? I'm from cork county so i'll have a nice trek home but i'm so happy i've something to do for the next 4 years, i hate doing nothing, Yes money is tight for all us students but if we can get by and get qualified it would be great.

Biggest intake huh? Didn't know that. Doing General and it was my first choice so obviously over the moon. OOM was 177 with 230, you can't of been far off that. The points were extremely tight and its mad how a few can decide your fate if ya will lol

Living in Cavan, originally from Leeds England. So are you on BTEA? The rent allowance is a nightmare, how I'm on it but have to end it then reapply once I'm down there. First few months are gunna be brutal but it has to work.

You said its good to have something to do for the next 4 years, I was thinking more like the rest of our lifes lol Roll on September!

T2daK

I won't be doing nursing i'm afraid but u can sure give me a call

timdenn

Hey Spud,
Leeds i'd say is a cool city. You did well with a 230 score. I got 221. I also have a choice of going to london and doing general there, i can't make up my mind which one.
I have the BTEA, so things won't be too tight. Sold my car to save money. It will affect us for the rest of our lives alright. September can't come soon enough alright.

elexus86

timdenn wrote: »

Hey spud,
Thanks, well done to you on getting a place:D, are you a mature student? I've lived alone for a few years too, i would prefer mature students to live with but i wouldn't be bothered living with school leavers. I heard larkfield is where most first years go. I read its basic enough though. I'm waiting to hear from DCU about the next step.
Thanks for your reply spud

Hey Lads,
I am a current mature student in DCU doing nursing, I am 25............ I would stay away from larkfield if or any other student accommodation if you want to get a decent nite's sleep...... DCU is a great college and ye will both get on great.... The time will fly for ye both...... You have placement for 2 weeks in November and for 4 weeks in April.......

timdenn

Hey Elexus86,
Thanks very much for your helpful post, Are you sure its only 2 weeks in november and 4 weeks in April? I thought it would be a lot longer as its a a longer year for Student nurses.
What time do you start in the morning? I was going to live in student accomadation but after reading what you said i'll try and get somewhere quiet. Any recommendations?

elexus86

timdenn wrote: »

Hey Elexus86,
Thanks very much for your helpful post, Are you sure its only 2 weeks in november and 4 weeks in April? I thought it would be a lot longer as its a a longer year for Student nurses.
What time do you start in the morning? I was going to live in student accomadation but after reading what you said i'll try and get somewhere quiet. Any recommendations?

Yep, I am sure it's 2 weeks in november and 4 in april........... We don't have a longer year in first year.... What hospital have you picked to go with?? It depends sometimes 9 and sometimes later. You have practicals every second week on a thursday so you are off then on the other thursday..... Well that's what we done last year.............. You should go to the mature workshop its on for 2 days before you start........ Places to live you could live anywhere in Dublin 9 area really....... You could try daft.ie.......

timdenn

I'll be doing Psych Nursing so it'll either be St itas or St. Vincents. Do you know anything about Psych nursing in DCU?
What year are you in? I might try the mature workshop alright. I lived in Drumcondra for a couple of months in 2009 but it was v expensive. What time did you finish College this year? Sorry about all the questions but there doesn't seem to be a lot of information out there.

elexus86

Yea, I am doing that too......there is actually another hospital St.Brendans......... Did you have a look on daft.ie...... too be honest its not really cheap anywhere around there because of the college prob looking €85 plus bills a week for a single room....... Ya I know there is not enough info for people at all... I was the same last year because you need to sort out so much...... Classes start on the 26th of september and finish for you the end of march and then you have 4 weeks placement. Exams are the last 2 weeks of May... You also have exams in January........You get 2 study weeks before the exams which is a major help..... My advise is to just keep on top of things and keep up your study.....

timdenn

Thats great you're doing psych too, Are you a man or woman? I tought you were doing general. Is the theory tough? Interesting?
What are the placements like? What do you do during your shifts?
Are there many jobs for newly qualified Psych nurses these days? 85 euro isnt too bad. i was paying 500 a month in drumcondra for a single room. :eek: Are you from Dublin? Again sorry about so many questions.

P.s Are you on holidays since May? Any summer work for student nurses?

elexus86

timdenn wrote: »

Thats great you're doing psych too, Are you a man or woman? I tought you were doing general. Is the theory tough? Interesting?
What are the placements like? What do you do during your shifts?
Are there many jobs for newly qualified Psych nurses these days? 85 euro isnt too bad. i was paying 500 a month in drumcondra for a single room. :eek: Are you from Dublin? Again sorry about so many questions.

P.s Are you on holidays since May? Any summer work for student nurses?

I am female, ya it can be tough first term is easier than the second one. Its very intresting. The placements are only observation for the first 2 weeks and then more hands on for the 4 weeks. You go to the same place for you 1st year placement......... Don't know suppose you have to be willing to go to oz or england for work.... 500 that is very dear must have been a very nice place.... Yep finished up in may. No I am not from dublin think there is a bit in dublin with nurse on call..............

timdenn

Thanks for all the info, being a student nurse in Ireland is a lot easier in Ireland than england i'd say, you only get 3 weeks summer holidays in the summer, and its a 7.30 start on placements. I'm undecided whether to go to dublin or london.:(

TrixIrl

I used to work for Nurse on Call as a carer during college until I got into final year. There is a huge amount of work for NQ RPN/RGN and RNID all over Ireland but esp Dublin. But the great thing is, they will take on student nurses for summer work/weekend work once they have completed their first set of placements. Lots of my nursing friends use it to put themselves through college... Its part-time work in the field you want to work in and would count as experience. Nurse on Call & CPL Healthcare would be the main two agencies I think.

timdenn

WOW! TrixIrl thats great news, makes me want go to Dublin, i want to stay in Ireland anyway. Are you qualified in psych? Can you still get the BTEA whilst working in the summer? Thanks for the post, its great to read good news in recession Ireland.

TrixIrl

Nope not a psych nurse at all, changed courses completely after 1st yr but as I had my placements done, I could work as a carer. Not sure what BTEA is, but I know that all hours done as an agency nurse count towards increments. Doesnt count as a carer other than looking good on the aul CV!

buffmypylon

i got offered a place in DCU mature intellectual disability nursing starting sept 2011 and i'm wondering about the timetable for 1st years,how many hours each week etc???does anyone know,finding it hard to find info

Spud5467

timdenn wrote: »

Hey Spud,
Leeds i'd say is a cool city. You did well with a 230 score. I got 221. I also have a choice of going to london and doing general there, i can't make up my mind which one.
I have the BTEA, so things won't be too tight. Sold my car to save money. It will affect us for the rest of our lives alright. September can't come soon enough alright.

Leeds is cool alright! Any closer to making your mind up about what school your going too? I know london is expensive so this might not apply but the cost of living in england is so cheap! Well maybe not, but compared to Ireland theres a significant difference. I hear DCU is a fantastic school and the nursing is second to none.

I was talking to my landlord, who has been renting for 20+ years, often to students told me to get a place sorted before the leaving cert results are out and the cao offers made. They can't move at the minute so as soon as they know, which is very late (20th august or something) theres a mad rush on. She told me prices go up, that what she does anyways lol

That 500euro a month for a single bed is mad!!! Had a very brief look on daft today. The first one I came across that looks half decent is this one. http://www.daft.ie/searchrental.daft?id=1068147.
I'm not sure how to do it though. If i could find someone(s) who wanted to rent a house then could look like that. Safe in the knowledge your not going to end up living with a bunch of dickheads. Otherwise I'll just have to look at house shares.
Ideally youd get to no some people at uni and then move in but since I'm on rent allowance I dont know how feasible. Hoping to get somewhere early august, get the paperwork in so there is little to no delay. Have a feeling that wont work coz you have to be living there before theyll come out.

Oh and I'm assuming nobody has heard anything from DCU? Might give them a ring next week, see what the craic is.

Spud5467

Does anybody have details about the BTEA and working? I know you can work part time and it doesnt effect your money but I've heard of people been caught out. I assume means related, earn too much to qualify for next year.
Its a bollox how you have to sign back on once your course has finished (every year!). Sure someone, careers advisor in DCU can set us right.

christyden

hi I got accepted as mature psych nursing in dcu. been trying since leaving cert but never got points. done a level 5 in pre nursing and been working in a nursing home for last year. but don't want work as a career for test my life. I'm from north donegal and was wondering if any one had any info on accommodation or the course itself. thanks

timdenn

Spud5467 wrote: »

Does anybody have details about the BTEA and working? I know you can work part time and it doesnt effect your money but I've heard of people been caught out. I assume means related, earn too much to qualify for next year.
Its a bollox how you have to sign back on once your course has finished (every year!). Sure someone, careers advisor in DCU can set us right.

I don't know about working part time but in the summer you can get a job and work and when your course starts up again you can get the BTEA like the year before.
No i still can't decide either dublin or london i'm racking my brain trying to find out which i'd prefer. I might go up to dublin next week and check out DCU, i've already been to london twice.
Someone on this thread didn't recommend the campus accomadation for matures so i'll try and get somewhere to share before aug 20, thats if i go to dublin of course.

timdenn

Spud5467 wrote: »

Leeds is cool alright! Any closer to making your mind up about what school your going too? I know london is expensive so this might not apply but the cost of living in england is so cheap! Well maybe not, but compared to Ireland theres a significant difference. I hear DCU is a fantastic school and the nursing is second to none.

I was talking to my landlord, who has been renting for 20+ years, often to students told me to get a place sorted before the leaving cert results are out and the cao offers made. They can't move at the minute so as soon as they know, which is very late (20th august or something) theres a mad rush on. She told me prices go up, that what she does anyways lol

That 500euro a month for a single bed is mad!!! Had a very brief look on daft today. The first one I came across that looks half decent is this one. http://www.daft.ie/searchrental.daft?id=1068147.
I'm not sure how to do it though. If i could find someone(s) who wanted to rent a house then could look like that. Safe in the knowledge your not going to end up living with a bunch of dickheads. Otherwise I'll just have to look at house shares.
Ideally youd get to no some people at uni and then move in but since I'm on rent allowance I dont know how feasible. Hoping to get somewhere early august, get the paperwork in so there is little to no delay. Have a feeling that wont work coz you have to be living there before theyll come out.

Oh and I'm assuming nobody has heard anything from DCU? Might give them a ring next week, see what the craic is.

DCU are sending out information on the 28th of july, Hey Spud i checked out that appartment link, and it looks good. Yea 500 euro was way too much, never again. If i choose dublin i will definetly get a place before leaving cert results.

novemberskye

buffmypylon wrote: »

i got offered a place in DCU mature intellectual disability nursing starting sept 2011 and i'm wondering about the timetable for 1st years,how many hours each week etc???does anyone know,finding it hard to find info

hey!! just finished up my four years in dcu...registered rnid now...go me! congrats on geting offered the place. i loved my time in dcu. first year is grand.... introduction to all the theory with 2 weeks placement in the first semester and then back to the same place for four weeks in second semester. Placements are 35 hours a week and are compulsory.
Not so sure on lecture hours for 1st years but i do remember having a lot of wednesdays off. be prepared to be in college 9-5 monday to friday as nursing students have more hours than any other courses. attendance monitoring was in place in my time but i think that has been done away with now so lucky ye! tip...just keep on top of your work don't let it pile up as all assignments usually due in around the same week or two.

if you need any more info don't be afraid to ask........:)

novemberskye

timdenn wrote: »

I don't know about working part time but in the summer you can get a job and work and when your course starts up again you can get the BTEA like the year before.
No i still can't decide either dublin or london i'm racking my brain trying to find out which i'd prefer. I might go up to dublin next week and check out DCU, i've already been to london twice.
Someone on this thread didn't recommend the campus accomadation for matures so i'll try and get somewhere to share before aug 20, thats if i go to dublin of course.

lived on campus for 2nd year in hampstead right beside larkfield. Worst place for nursing students to live.... when you are trying to sleep to be up for 6am and house parties going on all around...not good...ok for first year(6 weeks placement) and possibly 2nd year (only 2 months placement) as location is great and library so near but you will only enjoy it if you can put up with the noise and parties and possibly take part.

I can't see mature students liking this accomodation. i would suggest pappins road, collins avenue, collinswood, griffith avenue, ballymun road for nice close but quieter accomodation.
Also stay clear of gateway apartments, shanowen hall and square...these are exactly like campus accomodation.

booshboo

Hi All!

Hope you don't mind me jumping in here. I am currently a mature student of nursing in the UK, but I am leaving the course I am on to come and live in Ireland...

I was just wondering if you could answer a few questions I have??

I will be applying for 2012 - I have to start from the beginning as I cannot transfer any previous study across The application process seems quite complicated compared to that in the UK...tests etc! Any advice re. these?

Also the academic timetable? Is it the same as other students? Also placement times...are they on a rota or a set 9-5 kind of thing? I've been told the timetable is similar to that of any other student. I hope so...I have two children and the course in the UK is a nightmare as you are literally studying full time and on placement full time at the same time! Plus starting at 7am/finishing at 10pm/doing nights...with very little notice as to what shift you will be on!

Anyhoo..thanks for any advice in advance

booshboo

Oh and I forgot to ask...Nurse on Call...what are they like to work for? I have an interview with them - I am hoping to work as an HCA between now and next September...

Thanks again,

timdenn

booshboo wrote: »

Hi All!

Hope you don't mind me jumping in here. I am currently a mature student of nursing in the UK, but I am leaving the course I am on to come and live in Ireland...

I was just wondering if you could answer a few questions I have??

I will be applying for 2012 - I have to start from the beginning as I cannot transfer any previous study across The application process seems quite complicated compared to that in the UK...tests etc! Any advice re. these?

Also the academic timetable? Is it the same as other students? Also placement times...are they on a rota or a set 9-5 kind of thing? I've been told the timetable is similar to that of any other student. I hope so...I have two children and the course in the UK is a nightmare as you are literally studying full time and on placement full time at the same time! Plus starting at 7am/finishing at 10pm/doing nights...with very little notice as to what shift you will be on!

Anyhoo..thanks for any advice in advance

You apply on the CAO website giving 10 choices for the nursing degree mature i'm assuming, apply by early february and you'll get a letter for an aptitude test in late march you'll get results in may and june and hopefully an offer of a place in early july. Its all on the website www.nursingboard.ie. Nursing as a career section. Best of luck in getting a place. I'm starting a nursing degree in london and what you just said doesn't fill me with alot of confidence.

pippadog87

hi all, i have been offered general nursing in dcu 2011, applied through cao as if i were a school leaver, im 24 but didnt go the mature student route. just wondering if any of you know of a separate mature student orientation week as i know in some other colleges they have, i was hoping to join this as i am the age of mature students, thought it may be easier to meet more similar people than the leaving certs starting with me! any advic would be great, thank you

Spud5467

pippadog87 wrote: »

hi all, i have been offered general nursing in dcu 2011, applied through cao as if i were a school leaver, im 24 but didnt go the mature student route. just wondering if any of you know of a separate mature student orientation week as i know in some other colleges they have, i was hoping to join this as i am the age of mature students, thought it may be easier to meet more similar people than the leaving certs starting with me! any advic would be great, thank you

hey, there's a mature student orientation starting next week, 12/13th. I'd say contact dcu and see if you can be included.

doing general myself so if I don't see ya at the orientation see you in class :-)

christyden

Hi I'm 25 doing psych nursing as a mature student. There is 3 days 12th 13th and 14th for mature students I got on the mon and tues but the wed is separate for a different course which I forgot about and is now over subscribed.they said they might put on another course in there ballmun centre that dcu sometimes use. Anyhow try them see if you get on the list.all the best.

Aine112

Hi does anybody know when first year general nursing students start placements? do we have to do them during are holidays?

pippadog87

ah damn, just seen this now, havent been on here. thanks for the replies. ive orientation next week, awh wish i had looked at this i so wuda rang and tried to join this group! hope to see some of u guys anyway when we start! my heads a bit wrecked filling out the forms that i got in the post yesterday, health clearance, garda vetting, confused! il hafta ring dcu, although this seems very difficult :S anyone know how to get proof of your mmr etc vaccinations? i tried ringing health office but recoreded msg said we have a waiting list and we will reply to u by post?!! weird! need it sooner than that! sorry for the essay, any advice wud be gud, thanks

Aine112

those forms are taking me ages to fill out:L where do we send the health clearance forms when we have completed them??