Ahead of her retirement, Dr Anne-Marie Ryan shares the story of her long and distinguished career and reflects on the many opportunities the profession can offer.

Anne-Marie joined NMBI in 2001. During her time with the organisation Anne-Marie has worked as Chief Education Officer, Director of Registration and is currently Director of Professional Standards and Education (Nursing).

As far as I remember I always wanted to be a nurse. Over the last 43 years I have had a wonderful career with many opportunities. After qualifying as a general nurse from St Laurence’s Hospital (the Richmond) I got my first staff nurse position in Mercers Hospital, initially on the medical wards and then in theatre. When Mercers closed, I went to work on the Oncology/Haematology Unit in St James’s Hospital, and I was there for the first bone marrow transplant. I learnt a great deal there including the value of interdisciplinary working and the role of nurses in the team. I undertook the oncology course at St Luke’s Hospital where I got to see the integration of services across the Dublin area in a number of the hospitals. We were encouraged to recognise the deteriorating patient and to use our judgement and knowledge to intervene on a patient’s behalf. In working with the inpatient team and then leading on the day treatment team I learnt how nurses made a real impact on the patient’s journey. The importance of knowledgeable professional interventions and support influences how patients at a vulnerable time in their lives cope with their treatment journey and their well-being through this journey.

Wanting to expand on my knowledge and research of nursing practices in oncology I embarked on the 3-year full-time Bachelor of Nursing Studies (BNS) in UCD that also gave an Registered Nurse Tutor (RNT) qualification. Through this programme I became a nurse tutor and subsequently Principal Nurse Tutor in Beaumont Hospital actively involved in the transition from the apprentice to the diploma education programme. I worked as a lecturer in UCD on the tutors programme and with the publication of the Report of the Commission on Nursing (1998) that recommended a degree level programme to commence in 2002, I was successful in securing a position in TCD as a lecturer. During this time the post of Chief Education Officer in An Bord Altranais (NMBI) became available and I was encouraged to apply to assist with the regulatory introduction of the degree programmes for nursing.  

Since 2001 I have had a most rewarding career in regulation at national and European fora including a position as Deputy Chief Nursing Officer in the Department of Health. Throughout this time, I have learnt the importance of having nurses in positions of influence and decision making at the tables where legislation is proposed and considered for professional development and change. Without this we would not have had the introduction of nurse prescribing of medicinal products and referral for radiological procedures and the expansion of practice in specialisms and advanced practice.

Challenges and opportunities ahead for the profession

I see many opportunities ahead for nurses including the expansion of practice to meet patient and service need. Nurses have the capacity and capability to contribute much more to care provision to patients and their families as part of interprofessional teams. I look forward to seeing more nurse-led initiatives in the community where we can keep our older population safe and comfortable in their own homes and manage chronic disease more efficiently. Unfortunately, there are a few barriers that we need to address in how we work together as health care professionals. In this I would like to see more interprofessional teaching and learning with and from each other. We all are needed in a health care team as we all bring different strengths and skills.  

The importance of regulation and professional standards

Setting standards and expectations of care is vitally important. We need to ensure that there is a standard and a code of practice and ethics that all are abiding to. In healthcare it is critical that standards are respected and adhered to. Having a common shared vision of values is most important as it gives a benchmark of expectations of behaviour that reflect our compassion, care and commitment.

My advice for future nurses and midwives

Nursing and midwifery is a wonderful career. The world, as well as the profession, is your oyster and you can make it what you wish if you keep your mind open to new learning and development. Be the best you can for your patient and work to the top of your education and training, and develop your capability to embrace new technology, research and treatment options for patients not forgetting your roots in compassion, care and commitment.

As I change direction, I am taking with me some wonderful friendships. I encourage all young nurses to support each other and encourage each other to challenge and question for the better good. I have always liked the writings of John O’Donoghue and I’d like to share this: “may the sacredness of your work bring healing, light and renewal to those who work with you and to those who see and receive your work.” (Blessing, from Anam Cara by John O’Donohue).