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Ahead of Donegal Education and Training Board’s Further Education and Training (FET) Fair on 28 and 29 February in the Radisson Blu Hotel in Letterkenny, we’re showcasing the experiences of current and former FET students.
It’s never too late to follow your dreams, and Michelle McMonagle is proof of that as she nears the end of a new Tertiary Access Route into a General Nursing degree with the Further Education and Training (FET) Service of Donegal Education and Training Board (ETB).
Michelle is taking a unique route to a BSc (Hons) General Nursing Degree at Atlantic Technological University, which she will begin in September, by starting with the ETB’s FET Service.
The past year has been nothing but enjoyable for Michelle as she embraces a journey that she knew she was always meant to take.
Michelle, who is from Inishowen and now living in Convoy, had a successful career as an Early Years Educator before making the switch to nursing.
“When I did my Leaving Cert, I didn’t get the points for nursing so I went an alternative route,” Michelle said, describing how she did a health and social care course in Derry that led her to a career in childcare.
“I loved childcare and I was happy but there was always that internal want to be a nurse,” she said.
Now that her children are older (aged 16 and 18) she decided: “Now is my time to follow my dreams, now I can give in the time that I need to give in.
“Having left full-time employment going into this, you are taking a big leap of faith but the only thing you’ll regret is not doing it.”
The timing was just right, as new Tertiary Degrees were launched by the Department of Further and Higher Education for local delivery by Donegal ETB and ATU. The programme is a pathway to preparing students for third level education.
After a year of training at her local Education and Training Board (ETB) in Letterkenny, Michelle will gain a full QQI Level 5 Award that will allow her to directly progress to the General Nursing degree programme at ATU’s Letterkenny campus.
“I didn’t have to worry about CAO and limited spaces and I knew I would be guaranteed to get straight in,” Michelle said.
Michelle is driven by a goal to become a midwife, but for now, she’s keeping her options open.
“Maybe when I’m in there, something else might spark my interest,” she said.
Modules on the tertiary degree include Anatomy and Physiology, Care of the Older Person, Nursing Theory and Practice, Infection Prevention and Control and Communications. Part of the course is 60 hours of work placement, which Michelle did at a local nursing home. She learned a broad spectrum of the different levels of care required and has already taken up part-time employment as a Healthcare Assistant.
No prior knowledge of nursing or healthcare is required to join the tertiary degree, and Michelle said the support offered by Donegal ETB has been “just fantastic”.
“If you have some caring experience it is going to stand to you but you will learn everything you need to know as you do it,” she said.
“If someone is thinking about doing this and worried about working a computer, there is extra support with IT. There is also support for maths, for anybody with dyslexia, as well as career guidance.
“You are learning so much and you are exposed to what your potential could be.”
Michelle finds personal motivation through her drive to learn.
“I’m doing this for me, I am also doing it to show there are options post Leaving Cert and you’re never too old to follow your dreams and be what you want to be. If the Leaving Cert doesn’t work out there are always alternative routes,” she said.
There’s a new dynamic in Michelle’s house, where she has the advantage of dedicating time to go into her spare room and study, as her children are more independent.
“I’m definitely studying way more than my son is!,” she says.
“Further education is not like secondary school, you do need to put in the time and the work but support is there if you need it, you are treated like an adult and respected for your input. There is a good workload of exams and practical demonstrations, but it is all doable.”
Participants in the course will already have a QQI Level 5 in Nursing Studies “in the bag” before they begin at ATU. They’ll have built academic skills and confidence to progress, all while finding their footing in the sector.
“We have been very fortunate with the tutors. They were so helpful and had fountains of knowledge,” Michelle adds.
“Other benefits are you get the loan of a laptop, our fees are paid for the first year and you can also apply for SUSI grant and other bursaries going forward.”
Michelle says she is “slightly confident and slightly nervous” for the next big step in her education but encourages anybody who has any inkling to “go for it”.
“The degree gives so much support that if you have the desire in you to do it, you are halfway there, just give the time for yourself, follow your dreams and go for it.
“Not once have I regretted going in there, it’s so interesting and fun and I have made such great friends.”
Michelle’s tertiary degree course is one of four available through Donegal ETB’s FET Service (the others are in Business, Industrial Laboratory Science and Sustainable Engineering Technologies) – you’ll find further information about them on their website, where you can also apply online at any time: www.donegaletb.ie/tertiarydegrees
Come along to Donegal ETB’s 2024 FET Fair on 28 and 29 February in the Radisson Blu Hotel in Letterkenny to find out more:
- Wednesday 28 February, 7.00-9.00pm: School leavers, their parents/guardians, Guidance Counsellors and school Principals and Deputies are invited to attend to hear about FET options across the county. Those currently in employment and seeking to upskill are also invited to hear about upskilling opportunities offered by the FET Service.
Panel discussions on FET options (PLCs, traineeships and tertiary degrees), apprenticeships and employee training supports begin at 7.00pm.
- Thursday 29 February, 10.00am-2.00pm: Those who would like information on the wide range of full and part-time education and training opportunities provided by the ETB’s FET Service are invited to come along to speak to staff to find out more. There will be interactive skills demonstrations throughout the day.
Keep an eye on their social media accounts (Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn) for updates and further details or contact the ETB’s Adult Guidance and Information Service on 074 91 78088, email adultguidance@donegaletb.ie or complete this web form and they’ll get back to you www.donegaletb.ie/adultguidance
‘Seo an t-am chun mo chuid aislingí a fhíorú’ – Leanann bean Dhún na nGall a paisean don altranas
Roimh Aonach Breisoideachais agus Oiliúna (FET) Bhord Oideachais agus Oiliúna Dhún na nGall ar an 28 agus an 29 Feabhra san óstán Radisson Blu i Leitir Ceanainn, táimid ag cur éispéiris mac léinn reatha agus iarmhac léinn FET os comhair an phobail.
Ní bhíonn sé riamh ródhéanach d’aisling a bhaint amach, agus is cruthúnas dó sin í Michelle McMonagle agus í beagnach críochnaithe leis an mBealach Rochtana Treasach nua ar chéim san Altranas Ginearálta le Seirbhís Breisoideachais agus Oiliúna (FET) Bhord Oideachais agus Oiliúna Dhún na nGall (ETB).
Tá Michelle ag tabhairt faoi bhealach uathúil ar Bhaitsiléir Eolaíochta (Onóracha) san Altranas Ginearálta ag Ollscoil Teicneolaíochta an Atlantaigh (OTA), a thosóidh sí i mí Mheán Fómhair, sa chaoi is gur thosaigh sí le Seirbhís FET an ETB.
Bhain Michelle an-sult as an mbliain agus í ag dul i mbun aistir a raibh a fhios aici a bhí i gcónaí i ndán di.
D’éirigh go maith le Michelle, arb as Inis Eoghain í agus a bhfuil cónaí uirthi anois i gConmhaigh, ina gairm mar Oideachasóir Luathbhlianta sular athraigh sí chuig altranas.
“Nuair a rinne mé an Ardteistiméireacht, ní bhfuair mé na pointí le haghaidh altranais agus mar sin chuaigh mé ar chonair eile,” a dúirt Michelle agus í ag cur síos ar a cinneadh cúrsa sláinte agus cúraim shóisialta i nDoire, cúrsa a bhí mar chúis lena gairm i gcúram leanaí.
“Ba bhreá liom cúram leanaí agus bhí mé sásta leis ach bhí an fonn inmheánach sin i gcónaí ann. Bhí a fhios agam go raibh mé ag iarraidh a bheith i m’altra,” a dúirt sí.
Agus a leanaí féin níos sine (16 agus 18 mbliana d’aois), rinne sí a cinneadh: “Seo an t-am chun mo chuid aislingí a fhíorú, anois agus an t-am agam le cur isteach.
“Tuigim go mbíonn ort do shaol a chur i muinín Dé leis an gcúrsa seo sa chaoi is go bhfágann tú fostaíocht lánaimseartha chun tabhairt faoi, ach geallaim duit nach mbeidh aiféala ar bith ort ach amháin má chinneann tú gan tabhairt faoin gcúrsa.”
Bhí an t-uainiú díreach i gceart aici, toisc gur sheol an Roinn Breisoideachais agus Ardoideachais Céimeanna Treasacha nua le seachadadh ag ETB Dhún na nGall agus OTA ag an am sin. Is conair é an clár chun daltaí a ullmhú don oideachas tríú leibhéal.
I ndiaidh di bliain oiliúna amháin a chaitheamh ag a Bord Oideachais agus Oiliúna (ETB) áitiúil i Leitir Ceanainn, gheobhaidh Michelle Dámhachtain iomlán QQI Leibhéal 5 a ligfidh di dul ar aghaidh go díreach chuig clár céime ag campas OTA i Leitir Ceanainn.
“Ní raibh orm a bheith buartha faoin CAO nó faoi spásanna teoranta mar bhí a fhios agam go raibh spás dom,” a dúirt Michelle.
Is é an aidhm is mó a spreagann Michelle ná a bheith ina bean chabhrach, ach níl cinneadh docht déanta aici go fóill.
“Agus mé ag an ollscoil, d’fhéadfadh rud éigin eile suim a mhúscailt ionam,” a dúirt sí.
I measc na modúl ar an gcéim threasach tá Anatamaíocht agus Fiseolaíocht, Cúram an Duine Bhreacaosta Teoiric agus Cleachtas Altranais, Cosc agus Rialú Ionfhabhtuithe agus Cumarsáid. Tá 60 uair an chloig de shocrúchán oibre mar chuid den chúrsa agus rinne Michelle a cuid i dteach altranais áitiúil. D’fhoghlaim sí speictream leathan de na leibhéil éagsúla cúraim a theastaíonn agus ghlac sí le fostaíocht pháirtaimseartha mar Chúntóir Cúraim Sláinte cheana féin.
Níl aon eolas roimh ré ar altranas nó ar chúram sláinte ag teastáil le dul isteach sa chéim threasach, agus dúirt Michelle gur thug Bord Oideachais agus Oiliúna Dhún na nGall tacaíocht “den scoth” di.
“Má tá taithí ar chúram a thabhairt agat rachaidh sé chun tairbhe duit ach foghlaimeoidh tú gach rud a bheidh uait agus tú á dhéanamh,” a dúirt sí.
“Má tá duine ann atá ag smaoineamh air ach atá buartha faoi bheith ag obair le ríomhaire, tá tacaíocht bhreise ar fáil le haghaidh TF. Má tá disléicse ar dhuine ar bith, tá tacaíocht ann don mhatamaitic chomh maith le gairmthreoir.
“Foghlaimíonn tú an t-uafás agus cuirtear in iúl duit an méid a d’fhéadfá baint amach.”
Is é fonn foghlama Michelle a spreagann í.
“Tá an méid seo á dhéanamh agam dom féin ach tá sé á dhéanamh agam fosta chun a léiriú go bhfuil roghanna ann i ndiaidh na hArdteistiméireachta agus nach mbíonn tú riamh róshean do chuid aislingí a fhíorú agus an ghairm is mian leat a bhaint amach. Mura n-éiríonn leat san Ardteistiméireacht, tá bealaí eile ann i gcónaí,” a dúirt sí.
Tá dinimic nua i dteach Michelle, áit a bhfuil deis aici am a thabhairt le dul isteach ina seomra breise agus staidéar a dhéanamh toisc go bhfuil a leanaí níos neamhspleáiche anois.
“Is cinnte go bhfuil i bhfad níos mó staidéir á dhéanamh agam ná mar atá ag mo mhac!,” a dúirt sí.
“Ní hionann an breisoideachas agus an mheánscoil, bíonn ort am agus obair a chur isteach ach bíonn taithí ar fáil duit agus caitear leat mar dhuine aosta agus bíonn meas ag daoine ort as do chuid tuairimí a léiriú. Tá roinnt scrúduithe agus léirithe praiticiúla ann ach tá sé go léir indéanta.”
Beidh QQI Leibhéal 5 i Staidéar Altranais “sa mhála” ag rannpháirtithe an chúrsa sula dtosaíonn siad ag OTA. Beidh siad tar éis cur lena scileanna acadúla agus lena muinín chun dul chun cinn a dhéanamh, agus a dtuiscint ar an earnáil á aimsiú acu ag an am céanna.
“Bhí an t-ádh linn leis na teagascóirí. Bhí siad go léir an-chabhrach agus tá an t-uafás eolais acu,” a dúirt Michelle.
“Sochair eile is ea go bhfaigheann tú ríomhaire glúine ar iasacht, íoctar ár dtáillí don chéad bhliain agus is féidir leat iarratas a dhéanamh ar dheontas SUSI agus sparánachtaí eile amach anseo.”
Deir Michelle go bhfuil sí “beagáinín muiníneach agus beagáinín neirbhíseach” don chéad chéim eile ina hoideachas agus molann sí do dhaoine a bhfuil fonn ar bith orthu chun “tabhairt faoi go díreach”.
“Tugann an chéim an oiread sin tacaíochta, má tá an fonn sin ort é a dhéanamh, tá tú leath bealaigh ann, díreach tabhair an t-am duit féin, déan do chuid aislingí a fhíorú agus tabhair faoi.
“Níor tharla sé riamh go raibh aiféala orm go ndeachaigh mé isteach ann, tá sé an-suimiúil agus an-spraíúil agus tá cairde iontacha déanta agam.”
Tá cúrsa céime treasach Michelle ar cheann de cheithre chúrsa céime atá ar fáil trí Sheirbhís FET ETB Dhún na nGall (baineann na cinn eile le Gnó, le hEolaíocht Saotharlainne Tionscail agus le Teicneolaíochtaí Innealtóirí Inbhuanaithe) – tá tuilleadh eolais fúthu ar a suíomh gréasáin, áit ar féidir leat iarratas a dhéanamh ar líne ag am ar bith fosta: www.donegaletb.ie/tertiarydegrees.
Chun tuilleadh eolais a fháil, bígí linn ag Aonach FET ETB Dhún na nGall 2024 ar an 28 agus an 29 Feabhra san Óstán Radisson Blu i Leitir Ceanainn:
- Dé Céadaoin an 28 Feabhra, 7.00-9.00pm: Tugtar cuireadh do lucht fágála scoile, a gcuid tuistí/caomhnóirí, Comhairleoirí Gairmthreorach agus Príomhoidí agus Príomhoidí Tánaisteacha scoile freastal chun cloisteáil faoi roghanna FET ar fud an chontae. Tugtar cuireadh fosta dóibh siúd atá fostaithe faoi láthair agus atá ag iarraidh uas-sciliú cloisteáil faoi na deiseanna uas-scilithe a thairgtear tríd an tSeirbhís FET.
Cuirfear tús le pléití painéil ar roghanna FET (cúrsaí iar-Ardteistiméireachta, cúrsaí oiliúna agus céimeanna triú leibhéal), printíseachtaí agus tacaíochtaí oiliúna fostaithe ag 7.00pm.
- Déardaoin an 29 Feabhra, 10.00am-2.00pm: Tugtar cuireadh dóibh siúd ar mhaith leo eolas maidir leis an raon leathan deiseanna oideachais agus oiliúna lánaimseartha agus páirtaimseartha atá á gcur ar fáil ag Seirbhís FET ETB teacht chun labhairt leis an bhfoireann chun tuilleadh a fháil amach. Beidh taispeántais scileanna idirghníomhacha ar siúl i rith an lae.
Coinnigh súil ar na cuntais ar na meáin shóisialta (Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram agus LinkedIn) le haghaidh nuashonruithe agus sonraí breise nó déan teagmháil leis an tSeirbhís Eolais agus Treoir d’Aosaigh ar 074 91 78088, nó seol ríomhphost chuig adultguidance@donegaletb.ie nó líon an fhoirm ghréasáin seo agus rachaidh siad i dteagmháil leat www.donegaletb.ie/adultguidance
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