This month, we celebrated International Day of the Midwife and International Nurses Day.

These days offer a great opportunity to collectively honour the professions that stand at the heart of healthcare. Nursing and midwifery are more than professions; they are fundamental to the strength and resilience of our entire healthcare system and our society.

On behalf of the Board, NMBI acknowledges the central role midwives play in maintaining and enhancing the standards of maternity care. Midwives are trusted, compassionate and skilled leaders who are there at the beginning when new life enters the world. They are life-bringers, change-makers and cornerstones of healthier futures.

Across hospital and community settings, midwives consistently demonstrate professionalism in the delivery of maternity and newborn services that are evidence-based, and responsive to the needs of women, babies, and families. Their work ensures that every woman, every baby and every family receive compassionate and respectful care.

As a Board, we also acknowledge and commend the vital role of nurses who deliver safe, person-centred healthcare. As a nurse, I know how fortunate we are to have the most compassionate, caring and committed nurses working in the Irish healthcare service.

Nurses across every part of our health service continue to provide essential care in leadership, acute, primary, mental health, disability, children’s, community and other settings. Their professionalism and clinical judgement are at the core of positive health outcomes.

As the regulator, we are proud to support and safeguard the integrity of nursing and midwifery practice. We remain committed to ensuring that our registrants are supported through robust professional standards, continued competence frameworks and the promotion of lifelong learning. We believe sustaining and empowering the professions is essential to the future of healthcare in Ireland.

On behalf of the Board, I extend my sincere gratitude to all our registrants who contribute, often under challenging circumstances, to the protection of public health and the delivery of high-quality care. Your work is essential, valued and deeply appreciated. It truly enhances lives and has a profound and lasting impact on individuals, families and communities across Ireland.

Pictured (L to R): Dr Karn Cliffe, NMBI Director of Professional Standards – Midwifery; Carolyn Donohoe, NMBI Interim CEO; Angel Dunne, National Lead Midwife Women and Infants Health Programme HSE; Dr Geraldine Shaw, Nursing and Midwifery Services Director, ONMSD/Interim Adviser to HSE CEO and Sinéad Heaney, Midwifery Adviser, Department of Health

On 14 May, the Office of the Nursing and Midwifery Services Director (ONMSD) and the National Women and Infants Health Programme's (NWIHP) hosted its annual national conference in Portlaoise.

The event took place to celebrate International Day of the Midwife (IDM) 2025. This year’s IDM theme was Midwives Critical in Every Crisis.

Our Interim CEO, Carolyn Donohue spoke about the Future of Midwifery Regulation in Ireland while our Director of Professional Standards - Midwifery, Dr Karn Cliffe chaired the morning session.

The event also heard from our Midwifery Student Ambassador and post-graduate student midwife, Aoife Browne who spoke about her journey in midwifery and nursing, her role as a student ambassador, and how the short life of her cousin and the care he received inspired her.

In line with the IDM theme, speakers included Irish midwives working in ‘crisis’ roles both within the country and overseas. Kate Johnson and Emer Shine from the Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital presented their work with The Daisy Clinic. The clinic is a specialised midwifery support service for women seeking international protection or experiencing homelessness. Rachel Coyle a midwife with Medicins Sans Frontiers spoke to the participants about her current role in the Middle East.

Pictured above: Carolyn Donohoe (left) with Aoife Browne (top right) and Dr Karn Cliffe (bottom right)

Pictured (L to R): Michael Hayes, PNA; Somy Thomas, Clinical Nurse Specialist and NMBI Board member; Dr Louise Kavanagh McBride, NMBI President; Máire Devine, Sinn Féin TD; Pat Cullen, Sinn Féin MP for Fermanagh and Tyrone and Tony Fitzpatrick, INMO

On 14 May, our President, Dr Louise Kavanagh McBride along with a broad group of nursing representatives was welcomed to Leinster House to mark International Nurses Day.

The event was organised by Máire Devine, Sinn Féin TD for Dublin South Central and a registered psychiatric nurse.

Speakers included Pat Cullen, Sinn Féin MP for Fermanagh and Tyrone, and former General Secretary and Chief Executive of the Royal College of Nursing; Michael Hayes, Psychiatric Nurses Association (PNA) and Tony Fitzpatrick, Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO).

My name is Ashley Murphy. I’m a primary school teacher, and I recently became a first-time mum to my beautiful baby boy, Alfie. His arrival into the world was anything but straightforward, and today I want to share a part of that journey - a journey that showed me how extraordinary midwives truly are.

Pictured above: Simon, baby Alfie and Ashley

At 32 weeks, I was diagnosed with placenta previa. I didn’t know what it really meant or the risks involved. I went home that day unaware of just how serious things could become. At 33 weeks and two days, I attended Wexford General Hospital with bleeding. I was admitted to the labour ward and, although I did not know it at the time, would not return home for weeks. During this uncertainty I found comfort and reassurance in the entire staff but mostly with the midwives.

Soon after, I was transferred to Waterford Hospital due to the high risk that Alfie might arrive early - before 34 weeks. The team at Wexford knew he’d need specialist care if that happened. Thankfully, I made it back to Wexford at 34 weeks and two days, and early the next morning, my waters broke. Alfie was delivered by emergency C-section.

He spent two weeks in hospital - one week in special care, one in paediatrics. Those weeks, and the time before and after his birth, were the most frightening, overwhelming, and emotionally draining moments of my life. My husband and I were in a constant state of fear, not knowing what would happen or if Alfie would be okay.

But through all of that - through the panic, the tears, the uncertainty - there were people who stood by me. Who made me feel seen, heard, and held. Those people were the midwives.

Pictured above: A very happy and healthy baby Alfie

There were so many incredible midwives who helped me along the way. Each one made a difference in a way they might not even realise.

To the midwife who sat down beside me just to chat about the book I was reading - as they were preparing to move me to Waterford - to distract me from what might come next. 

To the midwife who explained what flange sizes I might need - when I didn’t even know what a flange was. 

To the midwife who taught me how to collect colostrum, who patiently guided me through something so new and strange. 

To the midwife who said, “Don’t get out of the bed - I’ll bring your milk up to SCBU after you’ve pumped'. 

To the midwife who sat on the bed with me and shared stories about her own family, making me feel less ALONE. 

To the midwife who held my hand when I started bleeding, who looked me in the eye and said, “It’s going to be okay. I’m here'. 

To the midwife who was with me when Alfie was born, who promised she wouldn't leave my side if my husband didn’t make it in TIME. 

To the midwife who held my hand while I cried, who told me, 'It’s fine - you’re allowed to cry. I’d be more worried if you didn’t'. 

To the midwife who didn’t even know me but took one look and said, 'You don’t look right, I think we need to check you'. 

To the midwife who saw how tired I was and SAID, ' You need to rest - I’ve got this'. 

To the midwife who told me her story about how her daughter was born at 34 weeks and how she is thriving now. Knowing that's what I needed to hear.

To the midwife who popped into special care just to see how Alfie was doing, and then popped in again to say, He’s doing really well, Ashley.

To all the midwives who offered advice and support from one mother to another. 

Thank you to each of you, who in your own way, made what was the hardest time of my life bearable. Your kindness wasn’t just your job - it was real, it was felt, and it made a difference. A massive difference.

There are so many of you to name, but in particular, I want to mention Chloe. Chloe is a family member and a midwife, but from the moment I was admitted, she was there with guidance, support, and love. I’ll never forget that.

Midwives aren’t just medical professionals. They’re protectors, comforters, listeners, and sometimes even friends in moments of crisis. Without them, I don’t think I’d be in the mindset I am today.

To all the midwives out there - you are incredible. Truly. And from the bottom of my heart, thank you.

This month, our Education, Policy and Standards Department has been busy promoting the Code and professional competence across a range of hospitals and conferences.

They emphasised the importance of the Code as the primary authoritative document for nurses and midwives, its role as an essential guide to ethical decision making, patient safety and promotion of professional values.

Lorraine Clarke Bishop, our Interim Director of Education, Policy and Standards gave the opening address at Infection Prevention Control Ireland’s (IPCI) conference.

Pictured above: Lorraine Clarke Bishop, Interim Director of Education, Policy and Standards with conference participants

Mary Devane, our Professional Officer, spoke about the importance of the Code and professional competence at the Irish Nephrology Nurses Association's (INNA) 24th Annual Conference and at St James’s Hospital, Dublin.

To celebrate International Nurses Day, Mary delivered a talk on the future of nursing at an event hosted by the National College of Ireland. She spoke to attendees about the Code, the professional competence scheme and the draft standards and requirements for the undergraduate nursing programmes. 

Pictured above: Mary Devane, NMBI Professional Officer (far right) with event organisers

Additionally, our new Professional Officer, Emer McCormack and Mary spoke to nurses of all grades at the Beacon Hospital in Dublin.

Finally, Mary and Dee Mooney, Project Manager in Education spoke to colleagues at Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise. The event was organised by Fiona Moore, Assistant Director of Nursing, Practice Development Co-ordinator and streamed to hospital wards for staff who could not attend in person. 

Pictured at the Beacon Hospital: Mary Devane, NMBI Professional Officer (left) and Emer McCormack, NMBI Professional Officer (right) with a member of staff at the Beacon

At Midlands Regional Hospital (Right): Olivia Lafferty, Interim Director of Nursing; Fiona Moore, Assistant Director of Nursing, Practice Development Co-ordinator; Mary Devane, NMBI Professional Officer and Dee Mooney, NMBI Project Manager

We were delighted to provide information on our Code and the professional competence scheme, and we would like to thank everyone for the positive feedback we received.

The pilot phase of the Professional Competence Scheme (PCS) commenced in January 2025, involving 37 pilot sites nationwide. The pilot sites represent all divisions of the Register, including acute general hospitals, maternity hospitals, as well as community care, education, and social care services. The PCS is based on the PDSA (Plan – Do – Study – Act) quality improvement tool.

A dedicated webpage is planned for launch this summer, providing comprehensive guidance on the Professional Competence Scheme (PCS), completion of CPD activity records, and the use of reflective tools. This month one of our pilot sites has been selected as an exemplar, for its work on embedding the Code and features in an article in this eZine. We will provide updates in the eZine of our ongoing work with the pilot of the PCS.

Martina Hughes, Assistant Director of Nursing, Nurse Practice Development Unit at Mercy University Hospital, Cork reflects on the Code in practice.

Pictured above: Martina Hughes, Assistant Director of Nursing, Nurse Practice Development Unit with her colleagues from Mercy University Hospital

“Individuals have a right to receive safe high-quality care from competent practitioners who work within their scope of practice” (Principle 3: Competence, Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics for Registered Nurses and Registered Midwives Incorporating the Scope of Practice and Professional Guidance, 2025). 

As a Pilot site for Maintaining and Managing Professional Competence (MMPC), the Nurse Practice Development Unit (NPDU) at Mercy University Hospital, Cork welcomed the launch of the new Code in February. 

We felt the Code was communicating with us in a relatable way. From the outset, the Code fitted us. It spoke our language. 

By defining and guiding what we do as a profession, the Code provides a framework for both safe nursing practise and nursing decisions. It enables us to meet our professional requirements. Patient safety is prioritised throughout the Code; it also is our safe space as nurses. 

The principles of the Code and the organisational values of Mercy University Hospital are closely aligned, and we bring these to our therapeutic interactions, to the bedside, the chair, or the bench outside, or wherever the opportunity for a therapeutic interaction takes place, the patient space. 

The Mercy Hospital's NPDU arranged information sessions on the Code following its launch. Short education sessions were facilitated from student nurses to Advanced Nurse Practitioners and every nurse in between participated. 

The sessions were held on the ‘link bridge’ which is a bright, busy thoroughfare connecting various parts of the hospital. We held the sessions at various times throughout the day, to capture both day and night staff. We decorated the area using posters, documentation, and information from the NMBI Code of Conduct. The education sessions were delivered using the Code, visual representation of the key points, focusing on the principles and conversations between Mercy Hospital's NPDU and staff. There was significant interest and curiosity about our sessions and much positive feedback followed from our patients, consultants, and members of the multidisciplinary team. 

Pictured above: Staff members from Mercy University Hospital

We explained to patients that: “their care and safety is our main concern and this Code makes sure of that”. Nursing staff commented on the clarity of the document and how it is easy to understand, the ‘must, must not and should’ aspect. They appreciated the sessions and were able to engage, ask questions and gain further clarity. Overall, an incredibly positive experience for NPDU and the wider nursing team. As the weeks have progressed the new Code has appeared in Medication Matters which is our NPDU quarterly publication based on trends in medication safety. 

Members of the team, while writing an abstract for a Care Metrics poster, instinctively linked the actions of monitoring and measuring care quality with the principles of Accountability and Competence in the Code. 

Reflecting on the Code in practice, it really is Exhibit A on the progress of nursing in Ireland. 

Pictured above (L to R): Mary Devane, NMBI Professional Officer; NMBI Student Nurse Ambassador, Keith Kelly and Trish Nolan from NMBI’s Education, Policy and Standards Department

On 28 and 29 April, we were delighted to attend and speak at the School Summit 2025 which took place at the South East Technological University (SETU) Arena in Waterford.

The annual two-day event is attended by second level students and their teachers, allowing them to engage, explore and experience the many career opportunities available to them.

As part of our commitment to promote the professions of nursing and midwifery, Mary Devane, our Professional Officer in Education was the keynote speaker at the event, supported by Trish Nolan, Executive Officer in our Education Department. She provided information on the programmes available, the routes of entry and the opportunities for career progression.

We were delighted to be joined by our Student Nurse Ambassador, Keith Kelly who is a 2nd year general nursing student at SETU. As a current student, he shared his experiences which really resonated with students.  

Another of our Student Nurse Ambassadors, Elena Prendergast featured in the Belltime magazine. She shared her story and experiences of studying general nursing in Trinity College Dublin. You can read her story on the Student Ambassadors page of our website.

This month, we continued and concluded the first phase of consultation to inform our upcoming strategy for the period from 2026 to 2028. 

A range of regional sessions were held across April and May in Athlone, Cork, Donegal and Dublin.

The events provided an opportunity for our key stakeholders to share their views on our current strategy and what they would like included in our next strategy. 

A wider public consultation will be held in Summer 2025.

Clinical Placement Coordinators Ger Crilly and Pauline Chapman from University Hospital Limerick (UHL) recently developed a short film, Great Minds Don’t Think Alike - Neuroinclusive Learning Environments at UHL, featuring neurodivergent students, staff and those who support them in UHL.

The film was launched at a multidisciplinary conference in Limerick which was attended by over 150 healthcare professionals from across Ireland. The motivation for both the conference and film was to raise awareness of how we can best support our student population. A key focus of this conference was ‘lived experience’, which is so valuable and impactful.

Our Interim Director of Education Policy and Standards, Lorraine Clarke Bishop spoke about the value that comes from supporting all healthcare students appropriately.

Additionally, the conference heard from a range of speakers including nurses and students who shared their lived experiences.

You can watch the video through the link below or by scanning the QR code.

Great Minds Don’t Think Alike – Neurodivergent Students in Healthcare  

Our public consultation on the Draft Midwife Registration Programme Standards for undergraduate students is open until Tuesday, 3 June 2025. 

We would really appreciate your feedback and we encourage you to read the draft document on the Consultations page of our website.

As part of our role, we are mandated under the Nurses and Midwives Act 2011, as amended to publish the standards to guide the design, development, delivery and evaluation of nursing and midwifery registration programmes.

The Nurses and Midwives Act 2011, as amended, states that NMBI shall set and publish in the prescribed manner the standards of nursing and midwifery education and training for first time registration and post-registration specialist nursing and midwifery qualifications.

NMBI sets the regulatory standards and then the Higher Education Institutions, with their practice partners, write the programme curricula that map to these standards.

NMBI Director of Professional Standards – Midwifery, Dr Karn Cliffe said “Midwives play such an important role in delivering care to women, their babies and their families. The new standards will equip midwifery students, within a supportive environment, with the knowledge and skills they need to work in partnership with women, further enhancing the midwifery profession for the years ahead.”

The new standards and curricula will be in place for midwifery students entering third level from the Autumn of 2027. A key difference will be increasing community practice placements which is in line with national health policy, Maternity Strategy Creating a Better Future Together and Sláintecare. Midwifery students will undertake their paid internship for three months at the end of third year and six-months in fourth year. 

Background 

In August 2022, NMBI with the Chief Nurse’s Office in the Department of Health co-sponsored an evidence-based review of the undergraduate education programmes leading to nursing and midwifery education. The RUN-ME research report was published October 2023, which made several recommendations. Included in the recommendations is an increase in community placements for nurses and midwives in line with national healthcare policies.

From May 2023 to December 2024, the Department of Health Expert Review Body (ERB) and Implementation Action Group 1 (IAG) co-ordinated a national engagement review, inviting involvement from key stakeholders. Several actions were outlined including the development of new education programme standards by NMBI. 

In February 2025, NMBI convened an advisory group with key midwifery stakeholders to advise on the development of the standards.

I’m a first-year midwifery student at the University of Galway and I’m also a mature student originally from Spain. My journey to studying midwifery has been far from traditional, but every step has led me to where I’m meant to be. 

Midwifery first came into my mind years ago when I was still living in Spain. I was always drawn to healthcare and helping people, and midwifery seemed like such a meaningful and rewarding career. But in Spain the path is a bit longer, you have to qualify as a nurse first and then study for two additional years to specialise in midwifery. That system made it feel like more of a distant dream. I also considered becoming a paramedic or even a police officer. I’ve always known that I thrive under pressure, I can think and act fast, and I find real purpose in supporting others during critical moments. 

Andrea Vazquez Domenech receiving her Midwifery Student Ambassador certificate with NMBI Vice President, Áine Lynch (left) and Carolyn Donohoe, Interim Chief Executive (right)

Then, life took me in a completely new direction. I moved to Ireland five years ago. I initially came for a change and a fresh start, and I quickly grew to love the people, and the pace. A couple of years ago, I learned something that truly changed everything: in Ireland, you can apply to study midwifery directly. It felt like a door that had always been closed suddenly opened. 

From that moment, I was determined to try. I applied for a foundation course at the University of Galway to give myself a pathway into higher education and I also sat the aptitude test for mature students. It was nerve-wracking and I was nervous as a mature student starting over. But I knew this was my second chance to follow something I had wanted. 

Getting a place in the midwifery course felt like such a personal victory. Now that I’ve finished my first year, I can honestly say it has been everything I hoped for—and more. Being part of such an intimate and life-changing journey with women and families is something I find incredibly special. Every day on placement I see how much trust is placed in midwives and how powerful it is to be there to offer reassurance, clinical care, and calmness during moments of joy, vulnerability, and transformation. 

One of the most meaningful parts of this first year has been meeting the amazing midwives and preceptors who guide us during placements. Their knowledge, empathy and professionalism are inspiring. I look at them and think, ‘that’s the kind of midwife I want to become’. They remind me that midwifery is not just about medical care, it’s about presence, compassion and connection. 

There have been challenges, of course. As a mature student there have been moments of self-doubt and pressure. Balancing study with full time employment and of course daily life can be tough, but every time I support someone through a meaningful moment, I feel grounded again in why I chose this path. 

I feel so lucky to have found this opportunity in Ireland. I’m grateful to the University of Galway for offering accessible routes for people like me and for supporting us through such a life-shaping journey. I’m proud of how far I’ve come, and excited for the midwife I am becoming. 

To anyone reading this who is wondering if it’s too late, or if you’re too different, or if the path seems too hard; please know that it’s not. Your story matters and it’s never too late to start a new chapter. If I can do it, so can you.