FAS Healthcare Assistant & Nursing

Nauny06

Hi

Just wondering if anyone could help me. I completed a Fetac Level 5 Healthcare Assistant Traineeship with FAS, which began in November 2009 & finished in July 2010. I completed all the modules and didn't fail any.

I have been working Full Time in a Nursing Home since August 2010 and have also obtained a couple of other relevant certificates.

I didn't do so well in my Leaving Certificate in 2009 - obtaining 3 honours & 3 passes, all at Ordinary Level and failing Maths.

I know that when applying for Nursing, you can use your FETAC rather than your Leaving Certificate, but I have tried this twice and have had no success.

Could anyone tell me what I need to do to get into Nursing? Another FETAC course? Pre Nursing or something? Or Repeat my Leaving Certificate??

Any help would be greatly appreciated as I would really love to get into Nursing.

Thanks in advance

seven_eleven

You need a level 5 fetac degree, usually in pre nursing with a distinction in 3 module. Usually Anatomy & Physiology, Biology, & Introduction to Nursing.

It varies from each university to be honest. You can check what each uni requires here http://www2.cao.ie/fetac/fetac_search.php

For example DCU states

Must possess distinctions in 5 modules in the FETAC level 5/6 qualification which must include:

• D20001 or 5N0749
• D20012 or 5N4325
• D20032 or 5N1279 or C20006 or 5N2746

It should also be noted that you have to obtain your certificate in the year you're applying. So if you got your fetac pre-nursing cert last year, you wont be able to apply with it this year.


However, bear in mind that there are VERY FEW places allocated for FETAC students. The competition is MASSIVE, so the chances of getting a place are slim. You really need to get distinctions in all modules to have a chance, and even then its slim as you're just put through a random lottery against those who also have full distinctions.

Have a look: http://www2.cao.ie/fetac/FETACNursingQuota.pdf

You can see there are from 1-4 places per each course. You can put 10 down on your application, so if you allocate them right you're competing for about 20-35 places depending on your choices.

You would be almost better off to just go and repeat your leaving cert to be honest. At least then you would have a fighting chance for more than 1 or 2 places.

On a side note: I think its a bloody disgrace that they allocate such few places to FETAC students. They're usually the ones who came from leaving cert, and are the most determined to do nursing and know where they're going.

Further Ed.

Yes there is a lot of competition for the FETAC places and you must achieve a full award in one sitting and to be in with a chance you need 8 distinctions.

It does not matter that you got your cert last year - as long as you completed all the modules at the same time.

The other option you have is to apply to the UK colleges as they accept FETAC Nursing awards for entry to Nursing degrees. If you are over 23 then you can apply as a Mature Student. Your best option is to check with the Adult Ed Guidance service in your local VEC. They will be able to assist you.

Nauny06

Thanks for the replies. Yeah don't think I got Distinctions in all of my modules Have applied to a few PLC Pre Nursing courses, hopefully that will get me a step closer. Unfortunately, I'm not in a position to apply to UK Colleges as I have a little boy & all our family is here. Wouldn't like to uproot him.

Thanks again for the replies

michealkirwan

hey i did all my modules with distinctions its nursing next but will be 2014 before you will get a chance the more experience the better if going for nursing courses etc the pre nursing seems to be the only way