Trinity College Confers First Degrees in Nursing Studies

Posted on: 17 December 1998

The first registered nurses to graduate from Trinity College with the new Degree of Bachelor in Nursing Studies (Hons) were conferred on 17 December 1998.

The 73 honours graduates are all qualified, experienced nurses, who undertook the two-year Degree programme as a part-time course in addition to their working hours. The course is designed to prepare nurses for their role as leaders, educators, expert clinicians and researchers in the future. A number of these graduates are already pursuing studies at Master’s Degree level.

Speaking before the ceremony, Mr Gerard Tobin, Course Director, Degree of Bachelor in Nursing Studiesm commented that, “These graduate nurses are already contributing to the advancement of nursing practice in Ireland and it is important that we work to a future where all nurses are educated to graduate level. This will assist the development of nursing as a profession and ensure the continuing improvement of the quality of patient care.”

On 18 December 1998, the first Trinity degree of Master of Science in Nursing was conferred on Wexford nurse Naomi Pasley.

Naomi is employed in the Adelaide and Meath Hospital, incorporating the National Children’s Hospital Dublin at Tallaght, as a Coronary Care Sister. A second nurse will graduate from the programme in January and 20 other students, currently in their second year of the part-time option, will graduate next year with an M.Sc. in Nursing or M.Sc. in Midwifery. The course is aimed at experienced graduate nurses and midwives.

Speaking before the conferring ceremony, Dr Cecily Begley, Director of the School of Nursing and Midwifery Studies, commented that, “A number of graduates from this Master’s Programme will continue their studies to doctoral level, making a significant contribution to the development of nursing care in Ireland.”