Tertiary degrees are broadening access to nursing and social care in Atlantic and Border region

Mary Lynch McKenna

FET Strategic Lead, Tertiary Manager, Cavan and Monaghan ETB, Atlantic and Border Tertiary Strategic Alliance

Claire Fiddaman

Programme Development Co-ordinator Tertiary Education, Atlantic Technological University, Atlantic and Border Tertiary Strategic Alliance 

Atlantic and Border Alliance’s new tertiary degrees open inclusive pathways into nursing and social care degrees — offering local study, supportive entry and opportunities to meet regional workforce needs.

Despite leaving school before completing her learning certificate, one woman is about to embark on her dream nursing career, made possible thanks to a pathway between Atlantic Technological University and its regional ETBs; Galway and Roscommon ETB (GRETB), Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim ETB (MSLETB), Donegal ETB, and Cavan and Monaghan ETB (CMETB). 

Supportive access to nursing

 “I thought there was never a chance for me to go and do my nursing degree,” says Donegal’s Elaine Tinney. “But tertiary programmes open so many doors for you.” 

“Our alliance was the first of its kind to provide this kind of tertiary access route to nursing,” explains Claire Fiddaman, Programme Development Coordinator of Tertiary Education, ATU. “Students have the opportunity to bypass the traditional CAO points race for a more gentle, supportive and inclusive university pathway, where successfully completing a QQI Level 5 Nursing Studies Course and meeting set requirements guarantees them progression to the degree.” 

By providing these degrees locally, this
initiative not only widens access to education
but also ensures graduates are more likely
to choose to work in their local communities.

Social care tertiary degrees

The Atlantic and Border Alliance is a strategic collaboration between further education and higher education to meet the demands of the workforce. This innovative partnership has also developed a tertiary Social Care Practice Degree in CMETB, offered at Cavan Institute, ensuring a steady flow of skilled graduates ready to meet the skills needs in the region. 

“There is a huge shortage of both nurses and social care workers in this region. By providing these degrees locally, this initiative not only widens access to education but also ensures graduates are more likely to choose to work in their local communities,” says Mary Lynch McKenna, Tertiary Manager at Cavan and Monaghan ETB. 

“Because tertiary education is part of the government strategy, it has the support of other agencies like the HSE who provide additional clinical placements so we can provide more opportunities for the region,” explains Fiddaman. “It’s about getting the right kind of people, people who are caring and compassionate, but who may not have had this chance before, hopefully resulting in a more diversified workforce.” 

Whilst the tertiary Social Care Practice degree is not yet CORU approved, an application has been made to CORU; the status of this process will be reflected on both the website and promotional material. 

The benefits of studying locally

With many people changing to a career in nursing or social care later in life, the benefits of a tertiary programme are vast, including no college fees and local enrolment in the first year, dual-registration, smaller class sizes and a nurturing, supportive faculty. 

“Students get introduced to higher education at a gradual pace, by experiencing HE through taster days, mentoring and access to full university facilities, while attending the FE centre,” explains McKenna. 

Fiddaman adds: “Students can begin their degree in their local ETB, with smaller class sizes and dedicated lecturer support. This allows them to balance family commitments and financial considerations, while still progressing to higher education.”