Last month, Marie-Therese Hackett from NMBI and David Dolan from the General Medical Council in the UK, delivered a joint presentation focused on Cross-Border Collaboration in People-Focused, Compassionate Regulation, specifically in the context of witnesses involved in fitness to practise processes at the 16th International Conference on Medical Regulation. 

The session highlighted the collaborative work between our two organisations on the NMBI’s Witness Care Project that launched in 2024. This initiative aims to improve the experience of witnesses by embedding compassion, consistency and care throughout the regulatory process. They shared key learnings, practical approaches and the positive impact this project will have on witness support and wellbeing.  

Our Interim Director of Education, Policy and Standards, Lorraine Clarke Bishop also presented a poster, focusing on the development and changes to the Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics which came into effect on 14 February. 

The Conference is organised by the International Association of Medical Regulatory Authorities (IAMRA) and hosted by the Medical Council of Ireland and brings together regulators, policymakers, and healthcare professionals from around the world. This year, the conference centred around the theme People-focused regulation for a safer global community. 

In September, NMBI, alongside the Nursing and Midwifery Planning and Development Unit (NMPDU), and our Student Ambassadors, were delighted to attend the National Ploughing Championships to promote awareness of NMBI and the professions.  

We met with the public, our nursing and midwifery colleagues along with their families, as well as future nurses and midwives. 

More than 225,000 people visited the Ploughing Championships which were held in at Screggan, Tullamore, Co Offaly between 16 to 18 September. 

We were on hand to provide information about our role as a regulator, as well as engaging with second level students to promote the professions and highlight the diverse career prospects available to anyone considering a career in nursing and midwifery. 

We also provided hands on CPR experience at our stand which gave attendees of all ages the chance to learn how to resuscitate someone with chest compressions. 

We would like to thank our Student Ambassadors Katelyn Cahill and Lauren Walsh from University College Dublin, and Andrea Vazquez Domenech from University of Galway who made a great impression on young visitors to the stand. 

A special word of thanks to our colleagues from Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise; the NMPDU and Regional Hospital Mullingar for their support and giving their time to help at our stand. They are: Sinéad Philips; Caroline EarlyFox; Claire Fitzpatrick; Siobhan Flynn; Finola Gill; Jennifer O’Shaughnessy; Sheila Browne; Gráinne Keena; Jeremiah Nally; Maura Loftus; Veena Lasrado; Nicola Waters and Carmel McGrath. 

Our team was pleased to meet with An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin and as well as many TDs and Ministers at the event. 

We also met with both Presidential candidates and we would like to congratulate Catherine Connolly and wish her every success as President of Ireland.

We received very positive feedback and we hope that we encouraged people to choose a career that makes a difference. 

We will continue to promote the professions and showcase the opportunities available to anyone considering a career in nursing and midwifery. You can join the campaign by following us on Instagram @nmbi_ie through the hashtags: #CareerinNursing #CareerinMidwifery #ACareerThatMakesADifference.

The Irish Times Higher Options fair took place from 17 to 19 September and NMBI, in partnership with our colleagues from the Office of Nursing and Midwifery Service Director (ONMSD) and Student Ambassadors, were there to meet with second level students from across the country. 

Every year, we attend Higher Options as part of our continued commitment to promote the professions and attract the next generation of nurses and midwives.  

Over the three days, we met thousands of students and shared our personal experiences and expertise to support students in making informed decisions and to highlight the wide range of rewarding roles available in the nursing and midwifery professions. 

Each day, we took part in panel discussions where panellists shared their experiences with aspiring nurses and midwives. This is one of the most popular aspects of Higher Options and we were delighted to once again see a high level of interest. We would like to thank all the panellists; NMBI Professional Officers, Mary Devane and Emer McCormack, our Student Ambassadors, Yannick Eddy Bilongo, Tara Doorey and Elena Prendergast, and student representative, Sienna Sheridan.  

A special word of thanks to our Student Ambassadors and student representatives who took time out from their studies to answer questions and share their personal experiences of college life and practice placements at our stand. 

We would also like to thank the ONMSD and the Nursing and Midwifery Practice Development Unit (NMPDU) for their continued support and all who took time out of their busy schedules to share their insights and promote the professions. 

If you know someone who is interested in a nursing or a midwifery career, they can find out more on our website.

The third episode of our podcast, NMBI Voice is now available.  

NMBI Voice covers the key changes and challenges facing our professions today and breaks down complex topics into practical guidance you can use. 

In this episode, Kathyann Barrett is joined by Dr Ray Healy, NMBI’s Director of Registration, who speaks about one of our core functions - maintaining the Register of Nurses and Midwives. 

From Irish and EU educated nurses with streamlined pathways, to UK applicants navigating post-Brexit changes, to the thousands of nurses arriving from India, the Philippines, and beyond, Ray explains the complexities of recognising qualifications and the rigorous steps involved in ensuring that only those meeting the highest standards are licensed to practise. He also reflects on global challenges - from conflicts that disrupt access to documentation, to the balance between fairness for applicants and the regulator’s duty to protect the public. 

The conversation covers the annual renewal process, the digitisation of NMBI’s systems, and the supports available for applicants along the way. It also highlights the constant balancing act between efficiency, fairness, and safeguarding public trust. 

New episodes air on the first Monday of every month, providing information you may need to maintain excellent standards while focusing on what matters most – caring for your patients. 

Listen now on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. 

If you missed the first two episodes, you can listen back through the links below. 

Episode 1: From Principles to Practice: The NMBI Code 

Episode 2: Keeping Practice Safe: Inside NMBI’s Professional Competence Scheme 

Last month, standing at the NMBI stand at the National Ploughing Championships, I experienced a truly full-circle moment. Talking to people of all ages and demonstrating basic life-support skills, I was struck by how far I had come. Two years ago, I walked these same fields as a Temple Carrig student, unsure what course I would get or where I would end up. This time, I returned in my white tunic as a second-year midwifery student, representing a profession I genuinely love — sharing knowledge, inspiring curiosity and witnessing the impact that compassionate care can have. 

My journey toward midwifery began at a young age, dressing up as a nurse and caring for my dolls with all the seriousness in the world. At Temple Carrig, while studying Agricultural Science, my teacher, Mr O’Connor taught me the importance of care - for animals, crops, and classmates. The subject itself excited me but what I loved most was how it encouraged observation, patience and responsibility.  

Agricultural Science was the first subject I truly excelled in, helping me build confidence and trust the process of growth, both in learning and in life. Mr O’Connor believed in every student, encouraged us to ask questions and took us to the Ploughing Championships each year. Those trips were never just about science; they were about curiosity, care and imagining possibilities. These qualities continue to shape the kind of midwife I aspire to be. 

In 6th year, when it came time to fill out my CAO, it felt like the most important decision of my life. I had always been drawn to midwifery. Teachers, friends and family all said it suited me, but I hesitated. Chronic migraines had been part of my life and I worried they might prevent me from giving women and families the full attention they deserve. I didn’t know how I would cope in a busy hospital environment with bright lights and constant noise, and that uncertainty was daunting. Thankfully, I had incredible support from Ms Lynch, my guidance counsellor, who reminded me that fear does not mean you are incapable, often it means you care deeply about doing your best. Her confidence in me, along with the support from university disability services, clinical placement coordinators, lecturers and preceptors, gave me reassurance and allowed me to focus on learning and growing. I was fortunate to earn my place as a direct entry midwifery student and I have never looked back. 

Caring for others has always felt natural. From tending to my dolls, to making my nana a cup of tea, to looking after the plants and animals in Agricultural Science, I have always loved seeing the difference small acts of care can make. Midwifery brings all of that together. The compassion, the curiosity and the science, allows me to be part of those quiet, powerful moments when new life begins. Looking back, every small experience, from childhood caregiving to school projects, quietly prepared me for this calling. 

Now, as a 2nd year student reflecting on this journey, I can say with absolute certainty that there is nowhere I would rather be. Midwifery is more than a course; it is a community. Peers, lecturers and preceptors all share the same goal: to care deeply and do their best. Being part of that team has strengthened my confidence and shaped who I am as a midwife. 

That sense of belonging was especially strong at the National Ploughing Championships this year, representing NMBI as a Student Midwife Ambassador. Standing there, guiding people through life-support demonstrations and discussing the profession, I couldn’t help but think back to my school days when Mr O’Connor first brought us to the very same event for Agricultural Science. Back then, I wandered wide-eyed, dreaming about the person I might become. This time, I stood there as that person, still learning, still growing but one step closer to my dream. Full-circle moments like that remind me why I chose midwifery: to care, to connect and to be part of something bigger than myself. 

Midwifery is about more than individual care. It is about supporting families, empowering parents and being present for life’s most transformative moments. Knowing I can make a difference, even in small ways, motivates me every day to be the best midwife I can be. If I could offer one piece of advice to future midwives, it would be this: if midwifery feels like your calling, trust it, every challenge is worth the privilege of caring for others at life’s most meaningful moments.

We have recently updated our website to provide information for employers facilitating the professional competence scheme (PCS).  

Part 11 of the Nurses and Midwives Act 2011, when enacted, will align the Professional Competence Scheme to the Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics for Registered Nurses and Midwives and will be one of several tools that underpin, guide and support your professional practice.   

The new sections include information about the legislation, the key benefits to employers who facilitate practitioners and the key components of employer facilitation, such as the learning opportunities and supportive environments. 

The PCS is a formal mechanism to enhance public protection by ensuring nurses and midwives retain their ability to practice safely and effectively throughout their professional careers. This guidance is currently being piloted across 37 sites throughout 2025. Over the coming weeks, we will be engaging, collaborating, and working closely with employers at these pilot sites to refine a final version of the guidance.  

We will also be working at a national level to support all employers in meeting their legal responsibilities to facilitate nurses and midwives in maintaining their professional competence.  

Any feedback or information provided by employers during this period will be carefully considered and used to shape and finalise the Employer Facilitation Framework guidance.  

You can find further information on our website.

Nursing and midwifery are regulated professions, meaning that only people who meet certain qualifications and standards are allowed, by law, to practise. This regulation, provided for in the Nurses and Midwives Act 2011, as amended, requires nurses and midwives to be on NMBI’s Register before they can legally practise in Ireland. Registration confirms that a nurse or midwife has completed recognised education and demonstrated competence, and that they are committed to maintaining the professional integrity required to provide safe and effective care to the members of the public.  

Regulated professionals are responsible for their actions and are accountable for the standards of their professional practice. Practising without registration is against the law, highlighting how regulation protects the public and maintains confidence in the professions.  

The NMBI Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics for Registered Nurses and Registered Midwives incorporating the Scope of Practice and Professional Guidance, (The Code), sets out the values and standards of conduct expected of every nurse and midwife. The Code is the foundation for professional and ethical practice. Nurses and midwives must ensure that their practice consistently reflects the principles of the Code — respect, accountability, competence, trust, collaboration and leadership — in all professional decisions and actions. Following the Code is not optional; it defines what it means to be a regulated practitioner.  

Regulation also supports ongoing professional growth and competence. Through Continuing Professional Development (CPD), nurses and midwives are required to keep their knowledge and skills up to date to ensure safe and effective practice. The NMBI is currently piloting a Professional Competence Scheme (PCS) to further support this professional requirement and to promote safe professional practice.  

Ultimately, regulation underpins professional standards, ethical integrity and public protection, maintaining public trust in nursing and midwifery, and ensuring the continued delivery of safe, high-quality care across the health system.  

To support ongoing engagement and understanding of its work, NMBI’s new podcast series, The NMBI Voice, breaks down complex regulatory matters and offers insight into how the professions of nursing and midwifery are protected through effective regulation. The first three episodes explore NMBI’s core functions — the Register, the Code, and the Professional Competence Scheme — and are available wherever you get your podcasts.

Smita Mathew, Assistant Director of Nursing, NPD and PCS Pilot Lead, along with Collette Farrell, CNM3 and the NPD team at St Vincent’s University Hospital share their experience here with us, as participants of the Professional Competence (PCS) Pilot Scheme.

At St Vincent’s University Hospital (SVUH), we are proud to be active participants in the Professional Competence (PCS) pilot scheme. This initiative represents an important opportunity for our nursing community, encompassing a diverse group of professionals including Advanced Nurse Practitioners, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Clinical Nurse Managers, Nurse Tutors, members of the Nursing Practice Department, Clinical Placement Coordinators and staff nurses. 

The shared experiences within this pilot are instrumental in shaping the future of the Professional Competence scheme. As nurses, we are often deeply immersed in our roles as caregivers and problem-solvers; however, it can sometimes be challenging to pause and truly showcase the valuable work we do. The PCS provides us with a meaningful platform to reflect on our motivations for pursuing education and training, and to consider how these learning experiences enhance our daily practice. 

When we reflect on the number of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours we achieve each day, we feel an immense sense of pride. These hours represent our unwavering commitment to lifelong learning and excellence in patient care. They stand as a testament to our dedication to maintaining the highest professional standards within nursing. 

Moreover, participation in this pilot encourages us to align our learning and development with the NMBI’s Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics. The principles outlined in the Code guide us in delivering safe, effective and ethical care. By linking our practical experiences with these standards, we strengthen our understanding of their relevance and application in everyday clinical practice. 

It is vital that we continue to reflect on our individual CPD journeys—recognising how they contribute, not only to our personal and professional growth, but also to the overall quality and safety of care we provide to our patients.

NMBI President, Dr Louise Kavanagh McBride speaking at the International Conference of Nursing Regulators

Our President, Dr Louise Kavanagh McBride and CEO, Carolyn Donohoe recently spoke at the 3rd International Conference of Nursing Regulators. 

Professor Tomas Kearns from RCSI’s WHO collaborating centre for regulation and CPD research also presented at the conference.

The event brought together regulatory authorities, international leaders, nurses and experts to discuss the latest developments, challenges and innovations in the field of nursing regulation.

Attendees discussed important issues such as strengthening education and practice standards for nurses, new trends in nursing regulations, cross-border cooperation to enhance nursing services, and strategies for improving public health through nursing professionals.

Pictured speaking at the conference (L to R): Lorraine Clarke Bishop, our Interim Director of Education, Policy and Standards and Mary Devane, Professional Lead for the Professional Competence Scheme

The Irish Association of Directors of Nursing and Midwifery (IADNAM) hosted its annual conference on 2 and 3 October in Dundalk, bringing together nursing and midwifery leaders from across the country.  

The theme of this year’s event was Nursing and Midwifery Leadership Speaking with Purpose: Civility in Action and focused on the power of leadership in promoting respect, collaboration and quality in healthcare.  

Lorraine Clarke Bishop, our Interim Director of Education, Policy and Standards and Mary Devane, Professional Lead for the Professional Competence Scheme (PCS), co-presented on Professional Regulation in Practice.  

In her presentation, Lorraine discussed the revised Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics, highlighting the new principle of leadership. She emphasised to nursing and midwifery leaders the importance of this principle in promoting high-quality professional practice and fostering a culture of safety in person centred care. Mary provided an update on the Pilot PCS, noting that preliminary evaluation findings indicate positive feedback from participants. NMBI is now progressing the next phase of the pilot, focusing on employers’ legal obligations to facilitate nurses and midwives in maintaining professional competence.  

The conference offered NMBI a valuable opportunity to engage directly with senior nursing and midwifery leaders, share insights from the pilot evaluation and hear their perspectives on employers’ responsibilities in supporting professional competence across the health service.  

NMBI was also represented by our CEO, Carolyn Donohoe and our Director of Registration, Dr Ray Healy who took time to get their seasonal flu vaccine from vaccinator Barbara O’Brien.

Last month, our Director of Registration, Dr Ray Healy presented a poster on the Power of Partnerships to Accelerate Global Workforce Mobility at the 2025 Council on Licensure, Enforcement and Regulation's (CLEAR) 45th Annual Education Conference in Chicago.  

The poster shows a new approach to support our overseas applicants. NMBI demonstrated an innovative and scalable approach to international nursing regulation.

The conference, which brings together more than 500 members of the regulatory community from across North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand, focused on the latest developments and best practices in regulation and licensure enforcement. 

Our participation at CLEAR ensures that we can stay up to date with the evolving regulatory trends and share learnings with our other regulators worldwide. For Irish nurses and midwives, this kind of international engagement helps ensure that domestic regulatory frameworks remain current, evidence‑informed, and responsive to shifting professional and public expectations. 

Picture (L to R): Claire O'Cleary, CEO, CORU; Niamh Muldoon, CEO, Veterinary Council; Mr Justice David Barniville, President of the High Court of Ireland; David O'Flynn, CEO, Dental Council; Joanne Kissane, Registrar and Chief Officer, PSI and Carolyn Donohoe, NMBI CEO

We were delighted to be part of the third annual Fitness to Practise Conference which took place at the RDS on 1 October.  

The conference is jointly held by NMBI, the Medical Council, the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland, CORU, the Dental Council and the Veterinary Council. Organisation of this year’s event was led by colleagues in the Dental and Veterinary Councils. 

The theme of the conference was Other Voices and focused on the perspectives of those not always championed in fitness to practise processes. This included a focus on trauma informed facilitation of fitness to practise hearings, the impact of health impairments on registrants, and the alternatives available in resolving complaints in certain circumstances. The day ended with a panel discussion, including our own Fitness to Practise Committee member Dr Ailis Ni Riain, and regular legal assessor to the FTPC Frank Beatty SC, looking at collective decision-making and best practices for engaging in this.

We are inviting expressions of interest from registered nurses to participate in the work of the Fitness to Practise Committee (FTPC). 

Registered nurse applicants must hold current registration in a Nurse Division of the Register with NMBI.

NMBI is committed to diversity and we value and understand the importance of a diverse FTPC. We encourage applications from as diverse a range of candidates as possible. There is a time commitment, on average 5-6 days per year to be part of FTP inquiry panels.

How to apply

1. Read the information booklet carefully.
2. Submit a cover letter with your NMBI PIN, confirming that you are registered as a nurse and setting out your suitability for the role.
3. Attach a CV of not more than two pages including the names and contact details of two referees (not related to you).
4. Return by email to Orla Coady at ocoady@nmbi.ie by Wednesday, 12 November 2025 at 12 noon.