Earlier this month, we held our inaugural Student Nurse Ambassador Forum.
The event was a unique opportunity for undergraduate student nurses to meet with NMBI and understand the role of the regulator in supporting them throughout their careers. Lecturers from each education body were also invited to attend and support students. The Student Nurse Ambassadors will partner with NMBI in promoting the profession of nursing, as well as participate in NMBI events throughout the year.
Opening the Forum, NMBI President Dr Louise Kavanagh McBride said: “We hope that our Student Nurse Ambassadors will become a strong and active network to collaborate with NMBI and foster ongoing student engagement. By bringing together student nurses, educators and the regulator, we believe our Forum will prove to be an enabling environment where we can exchange ideas and engage in meaningful dialogue.
“The Student Nurse Ambassadors demonstrate commitment to the profession and to continuous learning throughout their careers. I believe they will inspire the next generation of students interested in a career that makes a difference,” she said.
Pictured (L to R) from NMBI: Áine Lynch, Vice-President and Director of Nursing at Tallaght University Hospital; Lorraine Clarke Bishop, Professional Officer: Orla Crowe, Director of Fitness to Practise; Carolyn Donohoe, Interim Chief Executive, Carolyn Donohoe; Dr Louise Kavanagh McBride, President; Dr Ray Healy, Director of Registration; Kathyann Barrett, Head of Operations; Mary Devane, Professional Officer and Dr Karn Cliffe, Director of Professional Standards - Midwifery and Interim Head of Education
21 student nurses from the four primary nursing divisions, General Nursing; General and Children’s Nursing; Mental Health Nursing and Intellectual Disability Nursing, attended the forum from the higher education institutions.
Speakers at the event included NMBI Interim Chief Executive, Carolyn Donohoe; Dr Ray Healy, Director of Registration; Dr Karn Cliffe, Director of Professional Standards - Midwifery and Interim Head of Education; Mary Devane, Professional Officer, Education; Orla Crowe, Director of Fitness to Practise and Kathyann Barrett, Head of Operations.
Pictured above: Carolyn Donohoe and Dr Louise Kavanagh McBride with Student Nurse Ambassador, Inderdeep Kaur and her lecturer
The student nurses participated in a series of round table discussions on topics such as the priorities for student nurses/new graduates and the state of nursing in Ireland. They also shared their thoughts on the Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics for Registered Nurses and Registered Midwives.
NMBI Interim Chief Executive, Carolyn Donohoe said “The Forum provides an opportunity for NMBI to listen to the views of students about to embark on their careers in nursing.”
Áine Lynch, NMBI Vice-President and Director of Nursing at Tallaght University Hospital brought proceedings to a close. “The importance of the Student Nurse Ambassador Forum is the creation of a strong relationship between the regulator and student nurses, while empowering student nurses to take ownership of shaping their professional futures,” she said.
Pictured above: Carolyn Donohoe and Áine Lynch with Student Nurse Ambassadors, Aaron O'Sullivan and Brooke O'Connor
