Alumni Story: An Interview with Orlaith Wolohan BSc Mental Health Nursing
Wednesday, 23 July, 2025
We caught up with Orlaith Wolohan, BSc Mental Health Nursing, at her graduation at the December 2022 Conferring Ceremonies. Orlaith currently works in St. Vincents University Hospital and tells us about how she came to choose mental health nursing and her ambitions for a future in research.
Studying Mental Health Nursing at UCD allowed Orlaith Wolohan to combine an interest in healthcare and psychology, while developing her research skills and gaining hands-on experience.
Orlaith Wolohan had worked in a nursing home for many years, and felt that she would enjoy a role which involved caring for and interacting with patients.
“I started off doing a PLC in 2017, and had done some interviews with nurses and with representatives from some of the colleges about the different types of nursing and the different routes you can take. From that I’d heard a lot about mental health nursing, and I was interested in psychology as well.”
The opportunity to transfer to study Mental Health Nursing at UCD came up in Orlaith’s second year, and she was thrilled when she found out that she had been accepted onto the course.
One of the things Orlaith appreciated most about the programme was the opportunity to complete placements in a variety of different areas of mental health nursing, from acute mental health nursing to more community-based work. She felt supported and encouraged on her placements.
“It was great to build up your knowledge and skills in different areas, to be prepared for going into the workplace as a registered nurse. You can take your experience with you.”
Research was another area that Orlaith got to experience for the first time at UCD.
“In third year I had the opportunity to take part in a research scholarship. We looked into the experience of COVID-19 for parents of children with rare diseases. That was a wonderful opportunity. It was great because I always had an interest in research, so this opened the door and showed me what was involved.”
Orlaith and her sister both graduated on the same day, so it was a double celebration for their family. Now she is looking forward to her career in mental health nursing.
“I’ve already started working as a mental health nurse. I got a place in St Vincent’s University Hospital and I started working there a couple of weeks ago. My plan is to stay on the wards for a couple of years and then go down the research route. Fingers crossed that it all works out!”