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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 4 Feb 1999

Vol. 499 No. 5

Written Answers. - Nursing Education.

John McGuinness

Question:

92 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will encourage a restructuring of nurses training to enable those interested to obtain a direct qualification in gerontology; and if his Department has any scheme in place to attract retired nurses back into the system or assist those who are retired to re-skill and return to work. [3142/99]

At present, a person seeking to become a nurse may apply for a place in one of three pre-registration nursing and education training programmes general, psychiatric or mental handicap nursing.

However, following successful completion of such a programme and registration with An Bord Altranais, a nurse may choose to undertake a variety of post-graduate courses, such as midwifery and paediatrics. There are also programmes of post-registration education in care of the elderly. These courses vary in content and in their academic award, up to a masters degree in gerontological nursing.

It is not intended to restructure nurse training to facilitate a direct qualification in gerontology as such a change was not recommended by the Commission on Nursing.

The Commission on Nursing considered that care of the elderly offers substantial opportunities for nurse led services. It recommended that schools of nursing, in conjunction with their associated third level institutes, develop nurse education programmes to meet the needs of nurses working in care of the elderly, which would facilitate greater integration among the disciplines of nursing. This recommendation will be addressed in the context of the development of the clinical career pathways advocated by the commission.

The recruitment of nurses is primarily a matter for individual employers. I am aware, however, that some health agencies run "back to nursing" courses for registered nurses who may have been out of the workforce for a number of years.

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