Always popular, interest in general and psychiatric nursing soared this year. Applications for places on the three-year diploma course are up 40 per cent on last year.

This year, there were 5,560 applicants to the Nursing Careers Centre. Of these, 13 per cent put psychiatric nursing as their first preference. All applicants were called to an aptitude test and, a proportion were called to an interview on the basis of their performance in this test. There were 783 general and 201 first-year psychiatric training places on offer. In addition, some 160 places in mental handicap training were available through a separate competition.

Second-level students who are interested in nursing might some work experience useful. Martin McNamara of the Nursing Careers Centre says: "There are a lot of idealised ideas out there about nursing. Many of these are culled from soap dramas. It is very valuable for people to gain some kind of experience. The whole selection process is geared towards looking at personal characteristics and expectations. A lot of people have unrealistic ideas. It is a profession, not a vocation."

Nurses need to be assertive, self-confident, with good interpersonal skills and an ability to work as part of a team, he adds. Increasingly, as the education process moves forward, academic ability is becoming more important. The new training model of a three-year college-associated diploma replaces the old apprenticeship model. From 2002, nurse education will take the form of a four-year degree. It is likely that the selection process will also change, with increased emphasis on performance in the Leaving Certificate.

For the present, all applicants complete a biodata test. On the basis of their results, they may be called for an interview where their knowledge of nursing, their motivation, interpersonal and personal skills and their suitability for team work will be assessed.

The applicants sets the agenda, explains McNamara, they are briefed in advance and must show how well they fit the criteria. Applicants must achieve the minimum educational requirements and they are then ranked on the basis of their performance in the interview.

Those who secure a place have three years study ahead of them. The first six months are spent in college, on a Monday to Friday, 30-hour week, basis. Subjects include social science, biological science and nursing theory. "Students usually can't wait to get on to the wards," says McNamara. The first sustained clinical placement takes place in March, when students do a six-week work placement. Students are not part of the hospital staff but, rather, are there to learn.

Then, it's back to college. In all, first-years spend 18 to 10 weeks in the clinical area. In second year, students are introduced to a variety of specialisms - areas such as midwifery, paediatrics, community work, psychiatry and learning disabilities. "It is quite a busy year clinically and students also continue with their theory," says McNamara.

In third year, there is further clinical placement and students do a research project. They spend 14 weeks as a paid member of the work force. "They do night duty and work weekends. It is an opportunity for them to experience what it is like to be part of the work force."

Diploma graduates have the option of continuing their studies to degree level. There are post-registration and post-graduateship courses. For instance, paediatrics and midwifery are both offered as post-registration courses.

"It is a very exciting and challenging time to come into nursing," says McNamara, "with increasing recognition of the contribution that nurses make in the heath service."