Original Article: Donegal Daily
A determined Newtowncunningham woman is set to begin a nursing degree at university this year, despite leaving school before doing her Leaving Certificate.
Mum-of-three Elaine Tinney had been a stay-at-home mum for years before deciding to go back to education in 2024.
Her dream of nursing took flight thanks to a Tertiary Access Route into a Bachelors’ Degree. This year of study in Letterkenny with Donegal College of Further Education and Training manage by Donegal Education and Training Board (ETB) provides a unique access route into the Bachelor of Science (BSc) Honours in General Nursing Degree with Atlantic Technological University (ATU), with no points or no fees needed in the first year with Donegal College.
“I wanted to do it for myself,” said Elaine.
“I’d been in a care position for a long time so I knew I wanted to do healthcare. The tertiary course was introduced to me at the Further Education and Training [FET] Fair and I found it so interesting.
“I thought there was never a chance for me to go and do nursing. I left school early because I became a mum at a young age and I didn’t have a Leaving Certificate. This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone.
Now that Elaine has completed the nine months of study with Donegal College, achieving distinctions, she is ready to progress to ATU.
Going back to education at her age was the start of an exciting new chapter for Elaine, who is now 31.
“I was quite nervous at the start, but everybody was so welcoming. Everything was explained well, and we took our time,” she said.
“You do need to be focused and make the time to study, but if you have the determination, you find the time.”
Elaine Tinney, who took Donegal College’s Tertiary Access Route into General Nursing (BSc.)
Students cover modules in Communications, Anatomy and Physiology, Care of the Older Person, Care Skills, Human Growth and Development, Nursing Theory and Practice and Infection Prevention and Control.
Elaine adds: “I liked the real-life skills we got in Nursing Theory and Practice. We were hands-on taking blood pressure and taking vital signs.”
Elaine soon put her training into action during the Work Practice portion of the course, which she completed in a residential home for young adults with a disability.
“I learned so much in my work experience. It was fantastic to see all the training come together,” she said.
Students also got out of the classroom for team building experiences. A day trip to Gartan for outdoor activities near the beginning of the course helped everyone to gel together.
“It was good to get out of the classroom and into the fresh air,” said Elaine. “We were all just starting to get to know each other at that stage.”
Tertiary Access Route students are also offered all the support that Donegal College has, from guidance counselling to advice on completing assignments, such as referencing and structuring. Gaining these skills gives students the extra confidence to succeed at undergraduate level.
Students can also access facilities at ATU such as the library and sports facilities.
On completion of the programme, students are awarded a QQI Level 5 Award in Healthcare and, with a minimum of five distinctions in key modules, they will progress automatically into Year 1 of the BSc degree in General Nursing with ATU in its Castlebar, Letterkenny, St. Angela’s or Sligo campuses.
“It opens so many doors for you,” said Elaine. “I now have the foundation and the basic knowledge for going into ATU.”
Over forty tertiary degree courses across the country are giving more students than ever the chance to pursue their ambitions without being tied down by the CAO points race.
Elaine says it’s a path she would highly recommend:
“If you really want to do Nursing, this makes it possible. Especially if anybody doesn’t have the points, you can get all the knowledge and skills you need before going to college.
“It’s a great course, go for it!”
Donegal College’s Tertiary Access Route into General Nursing (BSc.) is now open for September applications from school leavers and those returning to education.
