NMBI recognises that January has been an extremely difficult month for our registrants.

Nurses and midwives continue to work on the frontline in our healthcare services as we bid to flatten another curve in this pandemic.

Decision letters issued to overseas applicants since March 2019 are to have the period of recognition extended, NMBI has announced.

As we publish, more than 59,000 registrants have successfully renewed for 2021 and we thank everyone who has done so.

NMBI has extended its deadline for renewal from 31 January to 28 February this year to allow registrants more time based on the current Covid-19 pressures that the professions are facing.  If you have not renewed your registration yet, we would encourage you to do so. You are likely to have been contacted by email to provide you with some additional assistance in undertaking the renewal process.

The Government has taken a decision to suspend placements of student nurses and midwives.

The decision centres on releasing qualified staff from supervisory duties to allow them to assist colleagues in dealing with the latest wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. Further information is expected in the coming days.

There have been a number of changes to the Board of NMBI for 2021. NMBI wishes to thank all those who have served on the Board and wishes to warmly welcome the new Board members.

NMBI is inviting calls for expressions of interest from registrants and members of the public to fill vacancies on the following committees:

• Audit and Risk Committee.
• Midwives Committee.
• Registration Committee.

Every year a number of places on degree programmes are reserved for mature students. An applicant must be 23 years of age or older by 1 January of the year of entry in order to apply.

NMBI sets criteria for Mature applicants which includes that they must sit an assessment test for admission to a Nursing of Midwifery programme.

NMBI supports the administration of the Covid-19 vaccine(s) by registered nurses and registered midwives as provided for in SI 698 of 2020 and SI. No.8 of 2021, and underpinned by medicine protocols, developed, approved and signed off nationally by the Health Service Executive.

NMBI wishes to draw registrants’ attention to the LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy and NMBI Principles in this area. Ireland was the first country in the world to publish such a strategy. You can read it on this link here.

The Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics for Registered Nurses and Registered Midwives (‘the Code’) published in December 2014 contains many principles consistent with the objective of Action 8(b) to “prohibit the promotion or practice of conversion therapy by health professionals in Ireland”.

Following a public consultation: the Nurses and Midwives (Education and Training) (Amendment) Rules 2020 (S.I. No. 501 of 2020); the Nurses and Midwives (Recognition of Professional Qualification) (Amendment) Rules 2020 (S.I. No. 502 of 2020); and the Nurses and Midwives (Register of Nurses and Midwives) (Amendment) Rules 2020 (S.I. No. 503 of 2020) have been approved by the Minister.

Public Health Measures

Extended Level 5 restrictions are in place until 5 March. You can see the measures in place here.

We are experiencing an unprecedented surge in Covid-19 cases in Ireland.

A round up of the latest news stories including:

• Nurse Bernie is first with vaccine
• Young Cork nurse develops paperless nurse management system
• Academics explore issue of Nurse Loneliness

Bernie Moran, Practice Nurse at the Scally McDaid Roarty GP Practice in Letterkenny. Co Donegal