You are encouraged to provide your feedback as part of the public consultation on the Draft Nurse Registration Programme Standards for undergraduate students from 15 April to 20 May 2025.
NMBI, as the regulator, publishes the standards and requirements to guide the design, development, delivery and evaluation of nursing and midwifery registration programmes.
You are encouraged to provide your feedback as part of the public consultation on the Draft Nurse Registration Programme Standards for undergraduate students from 15 April to 20 May 2025.
As the regulator, we publish education standards to guide the design, development, delivery and evaluation of nursing and midwifery registration programmes.
We are mandated to do so under the Nurses and Midwives Act 2011, as amended, which states that NMBI "shall set and publish in the prescribed manner the standards of nursing and midwifery education and training for first time registration and post-registration specialist nursing and midwifery qualifications".
NMBI sets the regulatory standards and then the Higher Education Institutions, with their practice partners, write the programme curricula that map to these standards.
Our Interim CEO, Carolyn Donohoe said “We are preparing our students to take on the healthcare challenges of the future. This is a positive initiative with good reasoning behind it. This builds on evidence-based research and wide consultation over the last three years. The aim is for undergraduate students to be better equipped to deliver a care model both in the community and across population-based settings.”
Following the public consultation, NMBI will review, analyse and integrate the feedback received into the draft standards.
NMBI will circulate a draft report on the public consultation for feedback and will facilitate online meetings with key stakeholders in June, prior to submitting a final draft to the NMBI Board in July 2025.
The new standards and curricula will be in place for student nurses entering third level from the autumn of 2027. A key difference will be dividing the internship between community and registration specific sites, which is in line with national health policy and Sláintecare. The students will undertake their paid internship for three months in the community at the end of third year and six-months in their registration specific practice areas in fourth year.
Background
In August 2022, NMBI with the Chief Nurse’s Office in the Department of Health co-sponsored an evidence-based review of the undergraduate education programmes leading to nursing and midwifery education. The RUN-ME research report was published October 2023, which made several recommendations. Included in the recommendations is an increase in community placements for nurses and midwives in line with national healthcare policies.
From May 2023 to December 2024, the Department of Health Expert Review Body (ERB) and Implementation Action Group 1 co-ordinated a national engagement review, inviting involvement from key stakeholders. Several actions were outlined including the development of new education programme standards by NMBI.
In January 2025, Heads of Schools of Nursing and Midwifery met with NMBI to discuss updating undergraduate standards, general principles and timelines.
In February and March 2025, NMBI held focused consultation workshops for the General, Children's, Intellectual Disability and Mental Health programmes. Following feedback from these workshops, NMBI will commence the public consultation in April.
In this month’s eZine, we are delighted to share Yannick Bilongo’s story. Yannick is a 2nd year Intellectual Disability Nursing student at Dublin City University (DCU).
His journey from the Democratic Republic of Congo to Ireland, improving his English language skills and becoming his class representative is truly inspiring and shows how dedicated and committed he is to the profession.
We are delighted to have him as our Student Nurse Ambassador and we would encourage our readers to share Yannick’s story with anyone who is considering a career in intellectual disability nursing or anyone considering relocating to Ireland to study nursing.
I am Yannick Bilongo, a 2nd year Intellectual Disability nursing student at Dublin City University (DCU).
Originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, I embarked on a transformative journey in 2019, relocating to Ireland to shape my future. When I came to this green island, I was only able to say a few English words such as: “hello”, “how are you”, “goodbye”, and so on. I honed my English skills at Crumlin College of Further Education and progressed to achieve a QQI Level 5 Pre-Nursing qualification at Inchicore College of Further Education. These experiences have been the foundation of my personal growth and aspirations.
Since September 2023, I have been passionately pursuing a degree in Intellectual Disability Nursing at DCU, a programme that has enriched my academic studies. I have demonstrated consistent dedication and commitment to my future career. This determination has earned me recognition among my peers and lecturers alike.
For two consecutive years, I have had the honour of being elected as a class representative, a role that reflects my leadership qualities and the trust in my colleague’s place in me. As a class rep, I have actively engaged in fostering a supportive and inclusive environment, ensuring the concerns and aspirations of my peers are heard and addressed. This experience has allowed me to develop my communication and organisational skills while making meaningful contributions to the student community.
Pictured (L to R): NMBI President, Dr Louise Kavanagh McBride; Yannick Bilongo and NMBI Vice-President, Áine Lynch at the Student Nurse Ambassador Forum
Moreover, I have embraced the opportunity to serve as a peer mentor for 1st year nursing students. Guiding and supporting new students as they navigate their academic journey has been both rewarding and fulfilling. This role has further strengthened my interpersonal skills, as well as my ability to inspire confidence and resilience in others.
Going to Clinical Placements in intellectual disability settings has been transformative in shaping my confidence and competence in working with people we care for. Each interaction has deepened my understanding of their unique needs and strengths, allowing me to provide compassionate and person-centred care.
Through hands-on experience, I have developed essential skills, such as communication, empathy, and adaptability which have significantly enhanced my ability to connect meaningfully with others.
Last year, I had the incredible honour of being selected as an NMBI Student Nurse Ambassador, a role that has been both inspiring and empowering.
This role has deepened my understanding of the profession and strengthened my commitment to making a positive impact in the field of nursing and healthcare in Ireland.
To conclude, I would like to thank all lecturers at DCU School of Nursing, the Student Allocation Liaison Officer (SALO) and Clinical Placement Coordinators (CPCs) at Avista CLG.
We would like to advise all student nurses and student midwives studying in the UK since 2021 that it is increasingly likely they will require a compensation measure following the completion of their studies in order to join the Register of nurses and midwives in Ireland, and they should consider this when applying to NMBI.
We would like to advise all student nurses and midwives studying in the UK since 2021 that it is increasingly likely they will require a compensation measure following the completion of their studies in order to join the Register of Nurses and Midwives in Ireland, and they need to consider this when applying to NMBI.
The requirement for a compensation measure for nurses and midwives who qualified in the UK after 2021 is due to a deviation from the European Directive (2005/36/EC) since Brexit, as well as changes to learning and clinical placement permitted by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) during Covid in the UK.
The compensation measure requirement does not apply to nurses and midwives who qualified in the UK prior to Brexit.
Students considering applying to the UK for a nursing/midwifery course should bear in mind that in order to join the Register and practise in Ireland, following qualification, they may need to complete a compensation measure.
All nurses and midwives who practise in Ireland must be registered on the Register of Nurses and Midwives which is maintained by NMBI. If you study outside of Ireland your qualifications must be recognised before you can apply for registration. In the vast majority of cases a compensation measure must be successfully completed before qualifications are recognised.
The compensation measure is:
An aptitude test (please see RCSI website for further details)
or
A period of adaptation in a hospital (please see our website for further details)
Applicants for a division other than General Nurses, will need to complete a period of adaptation, as the Aptitude Test is not available for divisions other than General Nurses.
A compensation measure is required when there are gaps between professional qualifications and experience, compared with the required Irish standards and requirements.
97% of all applications who qualified outside of the EU will need a compensation measure in order to join the Register of nurses and midwives.
We have published the site inspection monitoring report for University of Limerick (UL).
The report provides an update of the site inspections conducted by NMBI in October 2023. The monitoring update report is based on information provided by UL in collaboration with their practice partners.
We have published the site inspection monitoring report for University of Limerick (UL).
The report provides a monitoring update of the site inspections conducted by NMBI in October 2023. The monitoring update report is based on information provided by UL in collaboration with their practice partners.
As part of our role as a regulator, we assess and approve all undergraduate programmes leading to registration in nursing and midwifery. To ensure these education programmes are of a high standard, we conduct site inspections of university and college departments as well as their partner placement sites. All site inspection reports as well as monitoring update reports of education bodies and their practice partners are published on our website and are available to the public.
The report provides an in-depth look at each education programme and include a summary of the commendations, conditions and recommendations for best practice in professional education.
We would like to thank UL and their practice partners for their collaboration and engagement with the process.
The President of NMBI is delighted to invite you to our regional consultation sessions on our upcoming strategy.
The President of NMBI is delighted to invite you to our regional consultation sessions on our upcoming strategy.
We are currently drafting our next statement of strategy to cover the period from 2026 to 2028. A very important part of this process will be engagement and consultation with our registrants, our other key stakeholders and the public. The first phase will involve a range of regional consultation sessions in the weeks ahead. The first of these sessions will be in Athlone on Tuesday, 8 April followed by sessions in Cork on Thursday, 15 May and Letterkenny, Donegal on 27 May. These will be followed by a public consultation in summer 2025.
We would like to extend an invitation to you to come and meet with us at these regional sessions, as we would very much like to hear your views and input at this early stage in the development of our next statement of strategy. Your insights and feedback are crucial to shaping the direction of NMBI and the professions of nursing and midwifery
The events will also present an opportunity to get the first view of the new MyNMBI digital system and give some feedback to the developers.
You can register on Eventbrite through the links below.
Please sign up for the Athlone event by Friday, 4 April as spaces will be limited.
Further details about venue and time for the Cork and Letterkenny sessions will be available in the coming weeks. You can still register for the sessions through the links below.
The regional sessions will provide an opportunity for you to share your thoughts on our current strategy and what you feel should be included in our next strategy. This will help ensure that our approach aligns with the needs and expectations of you, our registrants. Your input will be instrumental in refining our strategy and guiding the future of our organisation and the professions.
We look forward to your participation and valuable contribution.
On 14 February, we launched the updated Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics for Registered Nurses and Midwives.
The Code is the primary guide to your professional practice and the updated document now incorporates the Scope of Practice and other professional guidance.
We have created a short video with provides an overview of the Code. We would encourage you to watch the video and ensure you are up-to-date and fully understand the professional conduct expected of a registered nurse or midwife.
On 14 February, we launched the updated Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics for Registered Nurses and Midwives.
The Code is the primary guide to your professional practice and the updated document now incorporates the Scope of Practice and other professional guidance.
We have created a short video with provides an overview of the Code. We would encourage you to watch the video and ensure you are up-to-date and fully understand the professional conduct expected of a registered nurse or midwife.
The Code is available on our website along with useful resources which can be downloaded.
We have also developed a short survey about what the Code means to you and how you are using it in your day-to-day practice. Your feedback is important to us and we would like to hear from you. You can share your insights by completing the survey further down in this issue.
About the Code
The Code came into effect on 14 February 2025 and applies to all settings where a registered nurse or registered midwife provides healthcare, whether in person, virtually or through other platforms. It outlines the professional conduct expected of a registered nurse or registered midwife.
NMBI has revised the Code to reflect changes within the professions, the healthcare system and broader society, to ensure registered nurses and registered midwives practise safely while upholding the integrity of the professions.
The Code is substantially different to the previous edition and now contains six principles, a value statement for each of the principles and standards of conduct that taken together signify what good practice by registered nurses and registered midwives looks like.
On joining the Register of Nurses and Midwives, and when renewing registration, all registered nurses and registered midwives must commit to upholding the principles, values and standards of the Code. They should make sure that they are using the most up to date version of the Code.
Members of our Fitness to Practise Department recently facilitated information sessions at HIQA and Atlantic Technological University (ATU)’s Department of Nursing, Health Science and Integrated Care.
Members of our Fitness to Practise Department recently facilitated information sessions at HIQA and Atlantic Technological University (ATU)’s Department of Nursing, Health Science and Integrated Care.
On 12 March, our, Fitness to Practice Officer, Jeanne Tarrant visited the HIQA offices in Dublin to provide an information session at their national team meeting.
During the session, she spoke with more than 100 HIQA team members about how complaints are made to NMBI and the FTP process. Jeanne provided case studies and spoke about our commitment to provide a compassionate approach for everyone involved in the FTP process as well as the supports that are available.
A similar session was held at ATU in Mayo on 20 March. Jeanne, along with Niamh McDonald, our Liaison Officer for the FTP Department provided students and registrants with insights into the role of NMBI, its FTP process and how professional standards impact their careers.
We received very positive feedback from attendees who found the sessions insightful and beneficial.
We would like to thank Maria Kiely Programme Coordinator for Older Person’s Services at HIQA and Mark Johnston from ATU Mayo for hosting the events.
We would like to remind mature applicants applying for undergraduate nursing and midwifery programmes that the registration window to sit this year’s tests will close on 2 April.
We would like to remind mature applicants applying for undergraduate nursing and midwifery programmes that the registration window to sit this year’s tests will close on 2 April.
If you know somebody who is interested in applying, please share this information with them as those who have not registered by the deadline will not be eligible to sit the tests.
Further details and updates are available on the Mature Applicants page of our website.
The Board of NMBI has published the outcomes of three complaints following the fitness to practise process.
The Board of NMBI has published the outcomes of three complaints following the fitness to practise process.
In one case, the Fitness to Practise Committee (FTPC) made findings and the Board imposed sanctions. In the other two cases, the FTPC accepted undertakings and/or consent to censure offered by the registrants.
Earlier this month, students from Bridgeport University in America travelled to Ireland to get a better understanding of the Irish healthcare system.
Earlier this month, students from Bridgeport University in America travelled to Ireland to get a better understanding of the Irish healthcare system.
We were delighted to meet with them and provide an overview of our role, as regulator for nurses and midwives in Ireland.
Our Director of Registration, Dr Ray Healy spoke about our registration function and Mary Devane, Professional Officer in the Education, Policy and Standards Department gave a presentation about the maintenance of professional competence (MMPC) scheme which is currently being piloted in sites across the country. Gary McNevin and Pauline Greiner from our Fitness to Practise Department also spoke to students about the Preliminary Proceedings Committee and fitness to practice processes.
The Code came into effect on 14 February 2025 and applies to all settings where a registered nurse or registered midwife provides healthcare, whether in person, virtually or through other platforms. It outlines the professional conduct expected of a registered nurse or registered midwife. 
Earlier this month, students from Bridgeport University in America travelled to Ireland to get a better understanding of the Irish healthcare system. 
