Sponsored by
Local nursing graduates are leaving Ireland
MANY of our young nursing graduates now have to leave Ireland and go farther afield in order to find employment opportunities.
Kevin McKenna and Dara Maguire, along with fifteen other nursing graduates, are getting ready to head off to Surrey in East London in the coming weeks.
Kevin and Dara come from Smarmore, Ardee, and have just graduated with a Bachelor of Science in General Nursing from Dundalk Institute of Technology.
Both Kevin and Dara are former pupils of Ballapousta National School. Kevin is a past pupil of Ardee Community School and Dara is a past pupil of Saint Louis Secondary School in Carrickmocross.
"We are all really looking forward to going away and facing new challenges," said Dara said.
"With lack of permanent employment in Ireland both Kevin and I are very lucky that we are able to go away.
"It may not be as easy for some of our fellow classmates as they have families and other commitments.
"A small number of our class were fortunate to get work in some Dublin hospitals but the majority of students have to emigrate to England and beyond."
Kevin and Dara were able to live at home while they were studying at Dundalk Institute of Technology.
"This was really a great help as we didn't have to worry about the price of accommodation or rent," said Kevin.
"I was able to afford my own car and take driving lessons. It was very convenient for me when I was on placement away from home.
"There are a total of forty-five student nurses who graduated this year. A large number of students lived away from home while studying at DKIT. It would have worked out quite expensive for us during their four years.
"With the downturn in the economy many of these graduates have to leave Ireland to find employment.
"The fifteen of us who are travelling to London are given a flight and an accommodation supplement. It will give us a good start."
The current nursing, midwifery and health studies building at Dundalk Institute of Technology opened in April 2005. It can cater for a total of 440 students.
Both Kevin and Dara really enjoyed their four years at Dundalk Institute of Technology.
"We had a great time. It was hard work along the way. We have made many friends and we will look back at our time at Dundalk Institute of Technology with fond and happy memories.
"It was certainly a great advantage being close to home," they said.
Email to a friend
Print this page- Man found dead in derelict building
- Unpaid claim could leave Dundalk FC in a ‘perilous position’
- Paypal recruitment plans outlined by Vice-President of Global Operations Louise Phelan
- A Memorial plaque at Fane river has been destroyed by vandals
- A Taste of Carlingford festival takes place next weekend
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Weather for Dundalk
Tuesday 22 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 10 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: South east
