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Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
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Registered Sick Children's Nurse | |
Salary Range (thousands per year)* |
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27 - 43
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Related Information: | |
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Data Source(s): | |
HSE.ie
Last Updated: March, 2017 |
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* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries. |
Despite a decline in employment, the demand for certain types of nursing skills has remained strong and has resulted in shortages. Work patterns and certain geographical locations are also impacting on recruitment and retention of nurses.
National Skills Bulletin 2018
Occupational Category |
Nurses & Midwives |
Also included in this category:
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Number Employed: |
58,500 |
Part time workers: | 21% |
Aged over 55: | 17% |
Male / Female: | 7 / 93% |
Non-Nationals: | 11% |
With Third Level: | 97% |
Children's nurses care for babies, children and adolescents. They apply their specialist knowledge to the particular needs and problems of children and their families.
Children's nurses care for babies, children and adolescents who have a long- or short-term illness, a disability or an injury. They may be based in a specialist children's hospital, a children's ward in a general hospital or in the community.
Wherever they are based, children's nurses are part of a multi-disciplinary team, which includes other nurses, health care assistants, doctors, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and many others. They are responsible for planning and implementing the complete nursing care of their patients.
The children's nurse assesses the requirements of the child and family and draws up a care plan, which outlines the child's needs and treatment schedule. Nurses observe the effectiveness of treatment and modify the care plan accordingly. Day-to-day care may involve:
Because the child is dependent on their family, children's nurses involve the child's family in the care and keep them informed of what is happening to their child. This may mean training the parents to administer treatment themselves so they can cope when the child goes home.
Nurses not only deal with the child's physical condition but also reduce the anxiety and confusion a child may feel when faced with unusual surroundings. For instance, they make children's wards as homely as possible. They also communicate with the child through play and maintain the child's emotional, physical and intellectual development.
Nurses working in the community carry out similar duties. They may be responsible for the continuing care of a child after leaving hospital. They will visit them at home to check on their progress and support their parents. Some community nurses, after further training, specialise in a particular field such as diabetes or cancer care.
In children's nursing, you must be very observant and able to anticipate children's needs, as children are not always able to express what they want or describe where they feel pain.
Communication skills are vital, particularly the ability to reassure, encourage and explain clearly. An interest in science is essential. A good pleasant bedside manner and compassion are very important in this area.
Most nursing posts require a certain level of physical fitness and emotional resistance.
To work as a qualified nursing professional, you must first successfully complete a programme of nursing education, and then apply to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI), the statutory body for regulation of the nursing profession in Ireland.
There are two routes to becoming a Children's Nurse:
1. Pre-Registration Degree Programmes Leading to Registration with NMBI
There are 5 pre-registration level nursing training programmes available, all of which are at Level 8 Honours Bachelor Degree, including the integrated Children's and General Nursing programme:
The programmes are offered through 13 Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in association with the main Healthcare Agencies (Hospitals/Clinical Sites). Application is made through the CAO.
Getting into Nursing Training
To get into a nursing training programme applicants must:
(a) have obtained a minimum grade of C3 in two higher level papers and a minimum grade of D3 in four ordinary or higher level papers in the Leaving Certificate, in the following subjects:
or
(b) have achieved the equivalent minimum educational attainments to the Leaving Certificate, as judged by the Higher Education Authority(HEA)
or
(c) meet the minimum educational requirements specified by the third level institution (HEI) concerned, for entry to the course, provided the requirements are not of a lower standard than those set out in (a) above.
(Note: Foundation Level Mathematics or Foundation Level Irish are not acceptable).
Alternative Entry Routes:
Certain Specific QQI Level 5 Certificate Programmes provide links to Nursing Degree Programmes. These currently are:
In all cases, applicants must have achieved distinctions in five components including;
Always contact the Admissions Office of the individual HEIs or visit www.cao.ie or www.nursingcareers.ie to check for any changes.
See also: Getting into Nursing - Entry routes in Ireland and the UK
2. Children’s Nursing - Post Registration Route
A nurse who has successfully completed their training and is a registered RNID, RPN, or RGN with the NMBI, may apply to the post registration RCN programme to become a Children's Nurse.
The programme is twelve months full-time in duration. Successful completion of the programme entitles the applicant to apply for registration with NMBI (RCN) and the award of a Higher Diploma from a HEI.
The three HEIs and the three linked Dublin healthcare agencies offering the postregistration RCN programme are:
For full detail see 'Nursing and Midwifery - A Career for You'
Last Updated: April, 2016
A detailed description of this occupation can be found on a number of online databases. Follow the link(s) below to access this information:
Note: you will be leaving the CareersPortal Site
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Organisation: | Nursing Careers Centre |
Address: | An Bord Altranais, 18/20 Carysfort Avenue, Blackrock, Co Dublin | |
Tel: | (01) 639 8500 | |
Email: | Click here | |
Url | Click here |
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Organisation: | Health Service Executive (HSE) |
Address: | Dr Steevens' Hospital, Steevens Lane, Dublin, 8 | |
Tel: | 01 635 2000 | |
Email: | Click here | |
Url | Click here |
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Organisation: | Irish Nurses & Midwives Organisation (INMO) |
Address: | The Whitworth Building, North Brunswick Street, Dublin 7 | |
Tel: | (01) 664 0600 | |
Email: | Click here | |
Url | Click here |
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Organisation: | An Bord Altranais/Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) |
Address: | 18-20 Carysfort Avenue Blackrock Co Dublin | |
Tel: | (01) 639 8500 LoCall 1890 200 116 | |
Email: | Click here | |
Url | Click here |
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This occupation is popular with people who have the following Career Interests... |
...and for people who like working in the following Career Sectors: |
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Medical & Healthcare |
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