NMBI were delighted to launch the Sixth Edition of the Registered Nurse Programmes Standards and the Fifth Edition of the Registered Midwife Programme Standards on 28 August. Two separate webinars were hosted to give attendees the first view of the new standards documents and outline the plan for implementation for the coming two years.
The standards were approved by the NMBI Board on 23 July 2025 following extensive consultation with multiple key stakeholders. The standards documents include Standards for Entry to the Register and undergraduate education standards in Ireland for programmes leading to nurse or midwife registration. These EU-compliant standards ensure alignment with the NMBI Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics and support contemporary healthcare needs.
NMBI President, Dr Louise Mc Bride, welcomed everyone to the launch of the standards which she recognised as a “significant milestone in not just the review of the standards but in the evolution of nursing and midwifery standards in Ireland” and a “commitment to the highest quality of care for our patients, clients and service users.”
Interim Director of Education, Policy and Standards, Lorraine Clarke Bishop and Project Lead, Dr Mary Ryder provided a short but comprehensive session regarding the contents and implementation of the Registered Nurse Programmes Standards. Lorraine highlighted that “NMBI is proud to publish standards that are competency based and in line with best international practice.”
Developed following extensive stakeholder consultation and informed by evidence-based research, including the RUN-ME report, the standards aim to produce competent, reflective, and patient-centred nurses that are equipped to deliver population-based care. They place a strong emphasis on community-based care, the social determinants of health, and social justice, in line with Sláintecare and national health policies.
This significant reform in nurse education is underpinned by health policy and designed to foster innovation and responsiveness within the profession. The standards will apply to nursing students entering third-level education from autumn 2027.
Director of Professional Standards – Midwifery, Dr Karn Cliffe, presented the Registered Midwife Programme Standards. She noted that “These standards are the foundation stones for the curriculum standards for midwifery education in Ireland; they adopt a learner centred focus in the practice learning environments for midwifery students.”
NMBI is available to support educators, both academic and clinical, to implement and roll out the standards. Stakeholder engagement is very important part of this work and will include, Educational Bodies, Office of Nursing and Midwifery Service Division, 19 maternity units, National Women and Infants Health Programme, and service users.
NMBI CEO, Carolyn Donohoe closed both webinars and was encouraged by the high levels of interest in the launches. “These standards place learners at the centre of nursing and midwifery education, preparing the future workforce to address future health needs of the Irish population,” she said.
Both documents are available on the NMBI website through the links below.
