Find out if Nursing is for you! This preparatory course is geared for those who intend to go on to further training for the BSc Degree in Nurse Education either in Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales or abroad. You will be introduced to subjects/topics commonly studied in the first year of the nursing degree programme. Learn about the skills and knowledge of the nursing profession with an emphasis on respect, dignity, empathy and confidentiality. Give yourself the best start for entry to a career in healthcare. Students will use a fully equipped nursing/HCA room for all the practical work. UCAS application assistance is available.

  • Nursing Theory and Practice 5N4325 – Develop an understanding of the caring skills, knowledge and accountability required by a professional nurse, including safe patient handling and measurement and accurate recording of temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure and fluid balance. The link between theory and practice is constant and using the Nursing Process and the Roper, Logan and Tierney model of nursing as guides the student learns the importance of client centre care and inclusivity.
  • Anatomy and Physiology 5N0749 – Develop an understanding of the interrelationship between the systems of the body. e.g. digestive, system, respiratory system, nervous system, skeletal system etc.
  • Care Skills 5N2770 – Understand the holistic care of a client over the full life span from birth to death, including areas such as disabilities, mental health, care of the older person and palliative care. Practical instruction in washing, feeding, mobilisation, toileting and grooming. End of life care is included as part of the holistic care.
  • Human Growth and Development 5N1279 – Learn  psychology throughout the lifespan, how we grow, learn develop and change throughout our lives. Understand factors that affect development throughout the lifespan. Develop interpersonal/interactive skills appropriate to responding to the needs of others.
  • Infection Prevention and Control 5N3734 – Learn how to prevent the spread of infection in the healthcare setting including hand hygiene and standard precautions. Practical instruction in all aspects of practice including cleaning following blood borne spillage and terminal cleaning
  • Care of the Older Person 5N2706 (optional) – Explore how older people change and develop psychologically, physically and socially. Develop practical caring strategies for working with older people. 
  • Care Support 5N0758 – Explore roles, responsibilities and entitlements of a care worker. Demonstrate an ability to plan and provide enhanced quality of care. 
  • Communications 5N0690 – Acquire the writing skills needed for the workplace, learn to speak fluently and coherently in a professional setting, develop interpersonal skills and have an understanding of the impact of ICT on society.
  • Work Experience 5N1356 – Planning, preparation and reflection on work placement. Job finding strategies, CV and personal statement preparation, interview skills. Practise employability skills with a view to future planning.

Additional Training/Workshops

  • Manual handling and people moving training and certification (requirement for work experience): Manual handling training is required under Regulation 13 of the 1993 (General Application Regulations) and 1993 Manual Handling Regulations. This training programme is aimed at providing all persons at work with proper techniques when lifting, carrying, loading, pushing and supporting. It provides employees with good work practices such as proper lift Manual Handling Techniques. The course includes being aware of the necessity for safe methods of manual handling to reduce the risk of injury and understanding the need to avoid manual handling by using mechanical aids where possible. Furthermore, assessing the task using the TILE criteria (task, individual, load, environment) and implementing the correct method of lifting ensuring minimal risk to self and co-workers will also be included.  Finally, knowing how to safely execute all relevant workplace manual handling tasks will be demonstrated. A certificate will be issued to learners who successfully complete the course.
  • HSE Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons at Risk Certificate: This 3.5-hour course has been developed by the HSE and delivered by Cork College of Commerce staff. Its primary focus is to inform learners on the guiding practice and procedures to keep vulnerable adults safe in the community and residential settings.  The content includes learners being informed of their safeguarding responsibilities, the different types of abuse and neglect and how to recognise them and how to report concerns in line with HSE guidelines.  All students receive a certificate on completion at the end of the course.
  • Certificate in Adult CPR (Irish Heart Foundation): The College follows the Irish Heart Foundation CPR 4 Schools programme. The programme provides learners with the skills to recognise cardiac arrest and perform hands-only CPR. Following training learners will know how to recognise cardiac arrest and perform CPR and how to assist someone who is choking.  Additionally, they will learn the difference between cardiac arrest and heart attack and how to recognise a stroke. Students receive an Irish Heart Foundation certificate for participation.
  • The Early Identification of Memory Problems in Older Persons (HSElanD)
  • Palliative Care (HESlanD)

Leaving Certificate with five subjects at grade O6/H7, with Ordinary Level Maths (grade O6 preferable). Leaving Certificate Biology is considered an advantage. Mature students are exempt from Leaving Certificate requirement. An offer of a place on this course is contingent on the applicant meeting the entry requirements set out here and satisfactory presentation at interview.

Note: This course requires students to be Garda vetted. Prospective students should also be aware that some aspects of this course are physically demanding and should satisfy themselves that they are physically fit enough to undertake it.

Excellent progression opportunities including:

  • All Nursing degree programmes in Ireland
  • Nursing degrees in England (including Kingston University, Southampton University)
  • Nursing degrees in Wales (including Swansea University, University of South Wales)
  • Nursing degree in Scotland (including University of Stirling, Queen Margaret University Edinburgh)
  • CIT: Social Care (CR031)

Excellent progression opportunities to UCC and other Higher Education colleges. Special arrangements in place with CIT (CCPS), Tralee IT and Waterford IT for preferential entry for College of Commerce students for some courses . Up to 390 CAO points for any Institute of Technology can be attained by successful completion of this course. Excellent progression opportunities in Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales.  See Progressions for details

Nursing homes, hospitals, private homecare sector, intellectual disability environments.

All students can access the Jobs Advice Hub. Graduates can subscribe to CCOC college jobs register and CCOC LinkedIn alumni for up to date vacancies and networking.

  • Duration: September to May
  • Fees: €500 including QQI examination fees. Additional costs for a uniform, kits and vaccinations. (Medical card holders exempt from €250). See Payment for details.
  • Certification: 
    • QQI Level 5 Certificate in Nursing Studies (5M4349)
    • QQI Component Maths (5N1833) and Statistics (5N2066) (available as option in evening for learners needing Maths or Statistics for progression).
  • Work Experience: Students will undertake a block work placement of four weeks (min. 150 hours) in a hospital or care home setting. Garda vetting is an integral part of the application procedure for this course. Hepatitis B vaccination is required for work experience in a healthcare setting.
  • Click to view, print or download prospectus page.

Email: nursing@ccoc.ie          Tel: (021) 4223824

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In September 2018 my role in the corporate world was made redundant. This was first for me because I have worked all my adult life, and it was going to be a life changing time. Thankfully after interviewing for my place in Cork College of Commerce, I joined the 2018/2019 intake of Nursing Studies course. What an exciting moment this was for me. As a mature student in her 40s, mother of small children, and no in formal education for a number of years, this was going to be a challenge on many fronts.

I found the course modules, the teaching faculty, and the guest speakers highly engaging and of top shelf quality. The lecturers (many of whom are qualified, experienced Nurses) are very knowledgeable and supportive in assisting each student in our pre-nursing work load, which was consecutive and intensive I will not lie. Personally, I found the work placement hugely beneficial and affirming that I wanted to become a caring and competent nurse. The eight months spent on the course has given me a firm foundation of key nursing theories and skills, while allowing me to fine tune my academic writing skills, and understand what would be required for third level education.

Since my time in Cork College of Commerce, I have gone on to secure rewarding employment as a Health Care Assistant, and in September 2019 I progressed into University College, Cork as a mature student on the BSc (Hons) General Nursing undergraduate programme. Each day that I am in the theory lectures or in the practical’s, I smile to myself and thank the heavens that I took the Nursing Studies course as it has prepared me so well for embarking on four more years to my professional qualification as a Registered General Nurse. To this day, there are statements made by the teachers that guide me in my work and student life, now that is continuous education at its best. My life long dream is coming true, and I for one cannot wait for 2023 to arrive.

Noreen Murphy-Coakley, B. Sc. (Hons), UCC

I spent the academic year of 2013- 2014 studying the Nursing studies course at Cork College of Commerce. I was incredibly apprehensive about the course as I had never done anything like it before; and I wondered how much of an impact it would actually have on me. I choose the course as I had been offered a place on a Mental Health nursing programme; and was unsure if I would have preferred to study Adult nursing. So I wanted to get a flavour of nursing at a core level and use the year to decide my path.

I found the course to arguably be one of the most important factors in leading me to the life I am currently living. I found the course to be well taught, engaging and set an immense foundation with which to build my overall academic skills on. Since finishing the course and moving to the UK to study Adult Nursing I have carried the skills I had learned from College of Commerce forward throughout my career. The staff and tutors were fantastic at providing all of their students the support and encouragement necessary to allow us to fully reach our potential. I think one of the most important aspects of the course; and one whose benefits I believe are overlooked is how continuous and intensive the work-load is. That solid year of foundation training allowed me to build on my academic writing skills and work ethic; both of which I have found to be invaluable to me today.

Since leaving College of Commerce I realised Adult (General) nursing was where my passion and skillset was, I gained a place at Edge Hill University and have subsequently been heavily involved in both course representation and faculty liaising to improve the overall student experience of learning. I am currently a final year nursing student and have been massively involved in speaking to prospective nursing students in the UK; advocating the benefits of studying through an access course to nursing. I believe the core skills I learned at College of Commerce allowed me an advantage during my first year of undergrad as I was already well versed in academic essay writing and this advantaged allowed me to put more energy into other areas of my development.

Overall I believe studying Nursing studies at Cork College of Commerce allowed me to get a core understanding of nursing concepts and skills. As well as enhancing my growth and development of personal and academic qualities; whose benefits become invaluable during my undergraduate education.

Andrew O'Sullivan, Adult Nursing Student, Edge Hill University

Our past experience with students has been very positive with many engaging in internships and then employment by Cobh Community Hospital. Many of our past students continue to volunteer here or have moved onto employment elsewhere with the confidence they have built during their time spent at our facility.

Claire Dwyer, Education Supervisor Cobh Community Hospital

The mercy hospital facilitates students voluntary work placement, as part of their Nursing Studies programme. This takes place in 4 blocks per term, for a period of four weeks. This is a great opportunity for pre-nursing staff to experience life in this working environment. We are delighted to invite these students to become a part of our hospital and we wish them well in their future nursing careers,

Cleo Davies, PA to Director of Nursing, Mercy Hospital Cor