In 2000, the Nursing Careers Centre, NCC, managed by An Bord Altranais, handled all applications to the pre-registration nursing diploma programmes in general, psychiatric and mental handicap nursing. There were a total of 5,013 applications for a total of 1,500 places, of which 1,000 places were for general nursing programmes, 300 for psychiatric nursing programmes and 200 for mental handicap nursing.
The following year, 2001, applications for all three pre-registration nursing diploma programmes were processed for the first time by the Central Applications Office, CAO. This was in line with a recommendation of the Commission on Nursing. There was a total of 6,578 applications for a total of 1,547 places, of which 1,042 were for general nursing, 305 for psychiatric nursing and 200 for mental handicap nursing.
In 2002, pre-registration nursing education was transferred from the health sector to the higher education sector and went from a three year diploma to a four year degree. The new undergraduate degree programme is provided in partnership between higher education institutes and the health agencies. There was a total of 8,822 applications for a total of 1,640 places, of which 1,057 were for general nursing, 343 for psychiatric nursing and 240 for mental handicap nursing programmes.
This year there was a total of 7,507 applications for a total of 1,640 places allocated across the three pre-registration programmes as per 2002.
