Increasing numbers of school-leavers and mature students are being attracted into the nursing profession. Applications for nursing in 2001 show a 21 per cent increase on last year. Meanwhile, the number of mature students applying has increased by 24 per cent, according to Eugene Donoghue, chief executive of An Bord Altranais.

This year, for the first time, applications for nursing were via the CAO system. Interviews for school-leavers have been abolished. The total number of applications made through the CAO was 6,062. Of these, 2,383 applications were for nursing only.

To encourage mature men and women to train as nurses, a new quota of reserved places has been introduced. This year, minimum quotas of 15 per cent for general nursing and 40 per cent for psychiatric and mental handicap nursing have been allocated to mature students.

A national assessment scheme for mature students (who may not have the requisite Leaving Cert results) has been introduced. They will be required to prove that they can handle an academic course and are suited to nursing, says Donoghue. Anyone considering nursing as a career has an extra opportunity to make a late application in May. St Michael's Hospital, Dun Laoghaire, in conjunction with the Royal College of Surgeons, has been added to the list of academic centres offering the diploma in nursing. Students who have already applied for nursing via the CAO, and would prefer the St Michael's/RCSI option can use the change of mind form on July 1st.

From 2002 nursing is likely to become a four-year degree programme. According to Donoghue: "The Commission on Nursing has recommended that the programme become a degree programme and that nursing education be fully integrated into the third-level system."