We are delighted to announce the appointment of Carolyn Donohoe as our new Chief Executive.

Carolyn joined the organisation in 2021 as NMBI’s Director of Education, Policy and Standards and has carried out the functions of the Chief Executive on an interim basis since April 2024. 

Since joining NMBI, Carolyn has led transformative and important regulatory change, including the modernisation of education site inspections and the publication of updated standards and guidance for nurses and midwives. Most recently, she oversaw the launch of the revised Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics for Registered Nurses and Registered Midwives in February 2025.

Announcing the appointment, our President, Dr Louise Kavanagh McBride said: “The Board of NMBI is delighted to announce Carolyn as our permanent Chief Executive.

"Carolyn brings a wealth of experience in clinical practice, education and continuous professional development to NMBI. Her leadership will be instrumental as we continue to protect the public and support nurses and midwives as they perform their vital work.

"Her expertise and experience of nursing and midwifery regulation, combined with a clear vision for innovation, advancement and quality, makes her ideally placed to guide NMBI into the future.”

The Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD, said: “I wish Carolyn Donohoe the very best as she starts her role as Chief Executive of the NMBI. I firmly believe that nursing and midwifery are highly skilled, valued, and meaningful professions within our health service. I have every confidence that the NMBI will continue to make a positive and beneficial impact on the Irish healthcare system under her leadership.”

In response to the announcement, Carolyn Donohoe said: “I am honoured to be appointed as Chief Executive of NMBI and I look forward to working with the Board, our dedicated staff, and key stakeholders. My vision is for NMBI to be an agile regulator, enabling nurses and midwives to deliver safer, trusted, person-centred healthcare through compassionate and digitally enabled regulation.

"My focus remains on empowering nurses and midwives through clear, robust regulatory frameworks that protect the public and advance professional practice. I look forward to building on the progress we have made and leading a future-focused organisation that values integrity, compassion and collaboration, to serve both the public and the professions.”

We have launched a public consultation to inform our new Statement of Strategy 2026 to 2029.  

The consultation will run from Tuesday, 5 August to Tuesday, 2 September 2025. 

We are inviting nurses, midwives, all our stakeholders, patients, health service users and members of the public to contribute to shaping our organisation’s direction for the coming years. 

In April and May, NMBI held Regional Consultation Sessions across the country. The team met with key stakeholders in Athlone, Cork, Donegal and Dublin. The feedback received, shaped the development of the draft statement of strategy.  

The draft statement of strategy is based on three key objectives: public safety through right-touch regulation, support for the professions of nursing and midwifery, and organisational agility. 

Our current Statement of Strategy 2023-2025, saw major progress across key areas, including digital transformation, stakeholder engagement and increased professional support. The upcoming strategy will aim to build on these achievements while addressing emerging trends in the healthcare environment. 

Launching the draft statement of strategy, NMBI President, Dr Louise Kavanagh McBride said: “Nurses and midwives are central to Ireland’s healthcare system and the work of NMBI must continue to focus on protecting the public, while supporting and regulating the professions. We must do this in ways that ensure we are agile, innovative and future-focused. 

“Our aim is to support nurses and midwives to deliver safe, trusted, person-centred healthcare through compassionate, right-touch and digitally enabled regulation. This statement of strategy will guide NMBI’s work from 2026 onwards, building on the foundations of public protection, professional support and regulatory excellence.” 

Carolyn Donohoe, NMBI CEO said: “The voices of our registrants, stakeholders, patients, service users and the public are essential as we develop our new statement of strategy.  

“We want to ensure our focus reflects the evolving needs of the public, the professions and the wider healthcare landscape.  

“NMBI is encouraging members of the public and all stakeholders to take part in this important consultation and help shape public protection and the future of nursing and midwifery regulation in Ireland.” 

Have Your Say 

You can submit your feedback by reading the draft consultation document before completing the online survey.  

Visit the NMBI website to share your views.