The Irish Times Higher Options fair took place earlier this month and NMBI, in partnership with the Office of Nursing and Midwifery Service Director (ONMSD) were there to provide students with information on how to access careers in nursing and midwifery. 

The online event gives second level students from across the country the opportunity to speak with representatives from third level institutions, further and higher education bodies, and information organisations in Ireland, the UK and Europe. 

Over 30 nurses and midwives were available on our stand to answer student questions and we would like to thank them for their time over the two-day period.

Recent graduates Emma Helebert and Sarah Tyrrell, along with General and Psychiatric nurse, Catherine Cocoman and 4th year Intellectual Disability Nursing student, Bróna McGahon shared their experiences during a panel discussion with Brian Mooney from the Irish Times. A profile on each of our panellists can be read below and the discussion is available to view here.

We would also like to thank the Office of the Nursing and Midwifery Services Director for their support of this event. 

All the information we provided for students at Higher Options is now available on our website.  

Higher Options panel profile

Catherine Cocoman

Catherine is a registered General and Psychiatric nurse who always knew that nursing was for her. She gained valuable experience in a nursing home while she was in 5th year in school that cemented her desire to become a nurse. Catherine studied General Nursing in Trinity and believes that nursing is a very rewarding career. She feels privileged to work with people, helping to make their life a little easier when they are unwell or on the road to recovery.

Catherine furthered her studies by completing a postgraduate in Mental Health Nursing in DCU and is currently working in an acute psychiatric unit. She says, ’each day brings new opportunities to learn and no two days are the same. ‘There may be many highs and lows, but I love nursing and for me, there is no other career as rewarding’. 

Sarah Tyrrell

Sarah completed her Leaving Certificate in 2015 and went on to study integrated Children’s and General Nursing Degree at UCD, graduating in 2020 with first class honours. Sarah is currently working in St Michael’s Ward, Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin Hospital, an acute medical unit for children with diabetes, rheumatology, cystic fibrosis, haematology, neurology and psychiatry conditions. She says, the wide variety of conditions treated means that no two days are the same. 

During her studies and career, Sarah has developed a keen interest in student and staff nurse education and would love to undertake further qualifications in this area. 

Bróna McGahon

Bróna began her studies in Intellectual Disability Nursing at DkIT as a mature student after building a very solid foundation in healthcare. After completing her Leaving Certificate, she took time out to travel and gained voluntary care experience in Australia.

On her return, she completed the healthcare course offered by Monaghan/Cavan ETB to qualify as a Healthcare Assistant (HCA). It was during her time as an HCA, particularly in nursing homes that she developed a keen interest in intellectual disability conditions and explored her avenues to becoming an ID nurse. She particularly enjoyed building a relationship with the person she was caring for and getting to know their families.

Bróna is currently in her 4th year of Intellectual Disability Nursing and is looking forward to completing her internship in the future and progressing her career as an Intellectual Disability nurse.

Emma Helebert

Emma is a Midwife in University Hospital Galway. She graduated from NUI Galway in 2019 and began her career as a midwife in Portiuncula University Hospital in Ballinasloe.

Emma comes from Ballinderreen in south Galway where she began her Camogie career. She is a member of the Galway Senior Camogie Team that had recent success in the All-Ireland Senior Camogie final. She feels that working full time during a pandemic has had its challenges but being part of the camogie team gave her a huge outlet during a busy and stressful time. She says ‘winning the All Ireland gave the county and our maternity unit a huge boost. The support from my midwifery colleagues has been exceptional during the past few weeks while bringing some good news to our maternity unit during strange times’.