The Report of the Expert Review Body (ERB) on Nursing and Midwifery, published in March 2022, set out 47 recommendations aimed at strengthening and developing the professions in line with population health priorities and patient care needs. The recommendations focus on workforce planning, education and professional development, digital health, and governance and leadership.
To advance this work, five Implementation Action Groups (IAGs) were established in 2023 to oversee and deliver the recommendations.
Focus on Recommendations 24 and 25
Recommendations 24 and 25 focus on developing a national clinical academic career framework for nursing and midwifery, creating stronger links between clinical practice, academic research, education and professional development.
Together, these recommendations aim to co-develop a structured clinical academic career framework and clear pathways for implementation, including the establishment and sustainability of joint clinical-academic appointments within the nursing and midwifery professions. These roles are typically co-funded by healthcare organisations and third-level institutions and support research initiatives that is directly relevant to population and service needs.
The framework will support nurses and midwives to work in both clinical practice and academia, leading and supporting research that improves nursing and midwifery care. Joint clinical academic post holders can establish themselves as both academics and practicing clinicians whilst facilitating relevant research within their clinical disciplines and extending the knowledge base for evidence informed nursing or midwifery.
- Recommendation 24: The HSE, in partnership with Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and the Health Research Board (HRB), to develop a nationally agreed clinical academic career framework* for nurses and midwives.
*A formal clinical academic career framework allows nurses and midwives to continue in a clinical role while at the same time undertaking research to improve patient outcomes.
- Recommendation 25: The Office of the Nursing and Midwifery Services Director (ONMSD), with the Higher Education Institutions, to further develop joint nursing and midwifery clinical-academic appointments across acute and community settings.
Governance and Work Streams
To support implementation, a national project group was established and is co-chaired by an Area Director within the ONMSD and a Professor of Nursing from a higher education institution. Membership of the group reflects broad national representation and includes a Health Region Director of Nursing and Midwifery; the Technological Higher Education Association; the Irish Universities Association; Ph.D. students; midwifery and all disciplines of nursing; the Nursing and Midwifery Planning and Development Units; the National Clinical Leadership Centre for Nursing and Midwifery; the HSE Academic and Research Office; the HSE library; the Irish Research Nurses and Midwives Network; the Healthcare Research Board; the HSE/HRB funded Patient Safety Research Network; the Department of Health Chief Nursing Office; the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science; the Health Research Charities of Ireland and the NMBI.
Four dedicated work streams are supporting the delivery of the recommendations. These include:
- Work Stream 1: Two systematic literature reviews on international evidence
- Work Stream 2: Design and development of the clinical academic career framework
- Work Stream 3: Development of sustainable implementation pathways
- Work Stream 4: Advice on the number and type of clinical academic roles required nationally.
Progress to date and how to get involved
Significant progress has already been achieved. Two systematic literature reviews have been completed, with their protocols submitted for publication.
In addition, two national surveys are currently underway. One survey aims to establish the number and type of joint clinical academic nursing and midwifery appointments across Ireland. The second survey seeks information from nurses and midwives who are currently undertaking, have completed, or have started a Ph.D or professional doctorate.
Nurses and midwives who meet these criteria and who are living or working in Ireland are encouraged to participate. Their input will help build a comprehensive picture of the clinical academic nursing and midwifery workforce and will inform future planning and implementation of clinical academic career pathways nationwide.
If you are interested in completing this survey, please click here or scan the QR code below to access the survey.
In late spring 2026, once a draft of the Clinical Academic Career Framework has been developed, the project team will invite nurses and midwives to share their views on its relevance and suitability for the Irish context.
Share this news with your colleagues and if you have any queries or are interested in hearing more about this work or the development and implementation of the clinical academic career framework, you can email: erb24and25@hse.ie
