In September, we 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 as well as future nurses and midwives.

Almost 250,000 people visited the championships which were held in Ratheniska, Co Laois from 17 and 19 September.

NMBI representatives 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 the chance to learn how to resuscitate someone with chest compressions.

Our team were pleased to meet with Taoiseach, Simon Harris; Tánaiste Micheál Martin and Minister Alan Dillon at the event.

We would like to thank student nurses Molly Connole, University of Galway; Katherine Cooling Reid, Trinity College Dublin and student midwife Shannon McHugh, University of Galway who were fantastic ambassadors for the professions and 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: Marie Heffernan; Fiona Moore; Jackie Farrington; Padraic Dolan; Vicki Hayes; Jennifer Lalor;  Yvonne Young; Sandra Hinchin; Sarah Roche; Shaunagh Doran; Jeremiah Nally; Cora Brennan and Grainne Keena.

We received very positive feedback and we hope that, as part of our commitment to promote the professions, we encouraged people to choose a career that makes a difference.

We will continue to promote the professions and you can keep up to date with our campaign by following us on Instagram @nmbi_ie through the hashtags: #CareerinNursing #CareerinMidwifery #ACareerThatMakesADifference