Technological University of the Shannon’s (TUS) Athlone campus has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Bon Secours Hospital Galway to facilitate clinical placements for nursing students.
The partnership will give TUS nursing students a 360° view of the elective surgical pathway, inclusive of the operating area and working in progressive community-based clinics.
Clinical placement, which forms an integral component of TUS nursing degrees, help ensure nursing students meet both national and international demands in evidence-based healthcare.
Welcoming the collaboration, Director of Nursing at Bon Secours Hospital Galway Siobhan Judge said, “This is an exciting new opportunity for the Bon Secours Hospital Galway to collaborate with TUS and to be part of your academic programme for the education and training of future generation of nurses.
“This aligns with our 2025 Strategic Plan of having Exceptional People delivering Exceptional Care for our patients which includes forming strong relationships with our academic partners.”
In recent months, TUS has signed a number of agreements with private healthcare providers to provide nursing students with greater exposure to diverse pathways of patient care in different healthcare settings.
Head of the Department of Nursing and Health at TUS Athlone Campus Dr Des Cawley said, “In line with the changing landscape of higher education as well as changes in healthcare, it is now timely that the department is expanding its partnership with private healthcare providers such as the Bon Secours Hospital Galway. The partnership will give our students the opportunity to experience the positive patient-centred culture within Bon Secours Hospital Galway.”
The partnership between TUS and the Bon Secours Hospital Galway supports TUS in the expansion of nursing programmes in line with National Policy and Health Workforce Planning Towards 2032 (DOH, 2022).
This progress is in line with the Department of Healthcare and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science policies, which have been designed to meet the growing demand for competent health professionals within a modern integrated health system in which nursing plays a pivotal role.
The Department of Nursing and Healthcare at TUS Athlone Campus has been a centre for nurse education for more than twenty-five years and offers a BSc (Hons) in General Nursing and BSc (Hons) in Mental Health Nursing at undergraduate level.
The Bon Secours Health System CLG is a not for profit organisation with its mission centred on providing compassionate world class medical and nursing care to all those they serve.