2. What types of educational programmes obtain Category 1 approval?  

The NMBI approve CPD and in-service programmes that reflect the needs of the professions and the service; the very broad range of professional nursing and midwifery practice, management and leadership, practice development, teaching and learning, quality, patient safety, legal and ethical issues developed to address learning needs across a very wide range of practice settings. Programmes can be Nursing and Midwifery focussed or interdisciplinary in nature.

3. What are Continuing Education Units (CEUs)?

The NMBI award Continuing Education Units to the CPD and in-service education and training programmes that it approves. One CEU is awarded to approximately every 40 minutes to one hour of teaching and learning activity. These CEUs do not have an academic rating.

4. How many CEUs are awarded to a programme?

A minimum of 1 CEU and a maximum of 35 CEUs are awarded by the Board for any one CPD or in-service education programme event. CEUs are not awarded to clinical activity that may form part of the programme.

5. Why a maximum of 35 CEUs?

The NMBI believe that programmes that require more significant effort should be developed within an academic setting and accredited as minor, special purpose or supplemental awards to reflect the amount of workload involved.

6. Does the Board specify how many CEUs a registrant must achieve every year?

No, at this time the Board does not specify a minimum number of CEUs to be achieved by a registrant.

7. Is a Registered Nurse or Registered Midwife required to submit evidence of CEU attainment to the Board?

No, at this time the Board does not require a Registered Nurse or Midwife to submit evidence of continuing education/CPD to the Board.

8. Who approves these programmes for approval?

The programmes are approved by the Chief Education Officer or the Acting Chief Education Officer.

9. Can an ELearning programme be granted CEUs?

Yes an ELearning programme can be granted CEUs once the programme satisfies additional quality checks within NMBI.

10. How long does NMBI Category 1 approval take?

Programmes should be submitted to the Board one month in advance, the approval process takes up to two weeks.

11. Where can I get the course approval application form?

The course approval application form is accessible through the Board website.  On the home page click on professional education and practice (tool bar top of page)   Then click on education (tool bar left of page)  Then click on Category 1 courses  The submission form and policy are available as a download If you have any problem accessing this form email education@nmbi.ie and request a form and you will be sent an electronic copy.

12. How can I submit a programme for approval to the NMBI?

You can email a copy of the submission to education@nmbi.ie or post it to, the Education Department, Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland, 18/20 Carysfort Avenue, Blackrock, Co. Dublin.

13. How long are programmes approved for?

From April 2013 programmes will receive approval for 2 years; the exception to this will be conferences which are approved for the year in which the conference is taking place.

14. Under the Nurses and Midwives Act, 2011 will CPD become mandatory?

Part 11 of this legislation places responsibilities on Registrants, the Board and employers in relation to the Maintenance of Professional Competence. CPD will form part of the professional competence schemes that the Board will be required to develop. This work will require extensive consultation with all stakeholders.  When this work commences Registrants and other stakeholders will be invited to actively engage in this important regulatory activity.

15. If I have a query who can I contact?

You can contact the education department via email at education@nmbi.ie or via telephone at (01) 6398566. You can also contact Thomas Kearns at tkearns@nmbi.ie