Firstly, I would like to say that I am privileged and honoured to be elected as President of NMBI.

Having served on the Board since 2015, I am immensely proud of the positive changes we have made to ensure NMBI is a modern and progressive regulator. As President, I am dedicated to performing this important role to ensure that the Board operates in line with best practice in all areas of our work.

I would like to welcome the new Board members who joined NMBI in January. Their diverse knowledge and experience will ensure they can contribute to the work of NMBI in a meaningful way, and that NMBI will continue to operate in line with best practice.

As a professional regulator, we will continue to deliver on our legislative mandate to protect the public and the integrity of the professions, while providing leadership for our registrants.

Our new strategy 2023-2025 aims to further support our registrants and I look forward to using my knowledge of the Board and my professional, academic experience and practice to further NMBI’s mission to protect the public and the integrity of the professions, and uphold the highest standards of nursing and midwifery education and practice.

As the Head of Department of Nursing and Health Care at Atlantic Technological University, Donegal I am passionate about educating the professions. As the roll-out of Sláintecare continues, we will not only need more nurses and midwives working in the Irish health sector, but need to ensure our education programmes are addressing any skills gaps as required. Over the next three years, part of our focus will be to review the curricula and number of places available in undergraduate programmes. NMBI is therefore focusing on reviewing curriculum content for programmes to ensure they are educating a future generation of nurses and midwives, but we also need to maximise the number of places and clinical placements in nursing and midwifery education. In addition, NMBI is developing new pathways to qualification.

This priority is evident throughout this issue of the eZine. Over the past month, our CEO Sheila McClelland has been working with the Higher Education Authority’s Expert Review Panel to identify and make recommendations on opportunities in higher education for new nursing education programmes to address national skills needs.

We are holding a public consultation on new standards and requirements to embed digital health competencies in undergraduate nursing and midwifery education programmes that lead to registration to ensure future generations of the professions are equipped to meet changing technologies.

I believe in the importance of continuing professional development (CPD), post-graduate education and research to inform the future of the practices. We value feedback from our registrants and nursing and midwifery students. NMBI is involved in a current research project to future proof undergraduate education programmes and I would encourage recent graduates to take part.

The Review of Undergraduate Nursing and Midwifery Education Programmes Leading to Registration in Ireland (RUN ME) will ensure that nursing and midwifery education is responsive to the changing needs, developments, priorities and expectations of healthcare. You can find out more about the RUNME survey here.

A recent survey of nursing and midwifery graduates by the Office of Nursing and Midwifery Services Director gathered important information about the factors that impact graduates entering employment. It highlighted a number of key recommendations in the areas of continuous professional development, funding for post-graduate education and supports for nurses and midwives to transitioning into the workplace.

Looking forward, we plan to continue our engagement with registrants. In the coming weeks we will be conducting a review of the Standards and Requirements for the Public Health Nursing (PHN) education programme. We will be inviting members of the public, especially our registrants, to have their say and I hope that you will take the opportunity to be part of this review.

Finally, I would like to say that I am very grateful and appreciative to be part of the Board. As President, with my Board colleagues and the executive, I look forward to working to achieve our strategic objectives.   

We are inviting members of the public to have their say in a consultation on the standards and requirements for digital health competencies within undergraduate education programmes.

The standards aim to provide guidance to education bodies (EBs) and associated health care providers (AHCPs) on the delivery of undergraduate education programmes to ensure students are confident in accessing and managing quality-assured digital health systems and solutions.

We developed the Draft Digital Health Competency Standards and Requirements for Undergraduate Nursing and Midwifery Education Programmes following extensive consultation with nurses and midwives, and in collaboration with an expert working group to align with national and international evidence-based practice.

In an evolving digital health environment, digital education needs to be current and universally included within nursing and midwifery curricula, training and continuing professional development programmes.

As part of the HSE service plan, the Sláintecare Implementation Strategy and Action Plan 2021-2023 and the Health Services People Strategy 2019-2024, and the Department of Health’s Report of the Expert Review Body on Nursing and Midwifery (2022), digital health is a key priority to support the redesign of services required under the Sláintecare model of care.

The consultation is now open and will remain open until 11 April 2023. We hope that you will take the opportunity to be part of this review as your opinion is important to us.

Visit our website to find out more about the consultation.  

Earlier this month, we published new educational standards and requirements to regulate the practice of Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) scanning by nurses. 

DXA is a modern technology which combines X-rays, a computer and software which provides quantitative and qualitative assessment of body tissues.

As a professional regulator, we are responsible for setting standards for the education and training of nurses and midwives to ensure the protection of the public and the integrity of the professions. We developed these standards following the transposition of a European Directive which requires new education standards to ensure public and staff safety when nurses perform bone density scans, also known as DXA, using ionising radiation (X-ray). This marks the first education standards published by a regulator in Ireland in this area of practice. 

The new requirements aim to ensure a standardised approach to DXA education programmes and to ensure that nurses are competent to administer a DXA scan to adult service users in a healthcare setting following completion of the education programme. The standards set out the key aims of ensuring nursing practice in this area is safe, compassionate, professional and accountable. 

The document explains the legislative frameworks and the standards required for education bodies and their associated healthcare providers who are developing, delivering and evaluating educational programmes.  

We launched the standards and requirements at a webinar, with over 50 stakeholders with an interest in the area of ionising radiation and nursing education programmes attending.  

Welcoming the publication, our CEO Sheila McClelland said: “These standards and requirements will guide education bodies to develop education programmes for nurses carrying out DXA scans, in line with Irish and EU legislation. The standards focus on the safety of the person receiving a DXA scan to minimise exposure to radiation, ensuring patient safety is always at the forefront of nursing practice. NMBI is the first regulator in the country to introduce standards of this kind and we hope they will contribute to public safety and provide nurses with the required training and competence in DXA scanning.

“I want to thank all the stakeholders who engaged with us in support of the development and implementation of these important new standards, and who attended our recent launch event. We look forward to working with education bodies as education programmes are developed and rolled out for the nursing profession.”

The webinar heard contributions from Carolyn Donohoe, NMBI’s Director of Education, Policy and Standards, NMBI’s Professional Officers Mary Devane and Lorraine Clarke Bishop, and Bernadette Moran, a Radiographic Adviser.

Speaking at the launch, Carolyn said: “The development and implementation of standards of practice and education is a key function of our role as a regulator. This document aims to support education bodies and associated healthcare providers to develop high-quality training and education for nurses in this area of practice, which will ensure quality and safe services to all patients. The document also provides guidance for nurses on what to expect from the education programme. We look forward to working with our stakeholders to ensure these standards support the training and development of nurses to provide DXA scans within their scope of practice.”

We developed the standards with the support of a national interdisciplinary group, including representatives from the HSE and Irish DXA Society. We also engaged with the regulators of ionising radiation, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Health Information and Quality Authority.

Nurses Undertaking the Practical Aspects of Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DXA) Scanning for Adults (1st Edition) is now available on our website.

Our CEO is part of an Expert Advisory Panel to review opportunities for new nursing education programmes.

Earlier this month, the Higher Education Authority announced that Sheila McClelland had been appointed to a new Expert Advisory Panel set up to review opportunities in the higher education sector to contribute to addressing national skills needs in dentistry, pharmacy, medicine, nursing, and veterinary.

Sheila joins the panel as representative of the professional and regulatory body responsible for nursing. 

The panel is comprised of representatives from Government departments and regulatory and professional bodies that have direct professional experience and or academic expertise in the relevant disciplines, or knowledge of the higher education system at a senior level. 

Sheila welcomed the announcement and discussed how she was looking forward to being part of the Expert Review Panel:

“When we consulted on our draft Statement of Strategy 2023-2025 last year, our stakeholders told us that more third-level undergraduate student places are needed to meet demand. Furthermore, the recommendations from the Expert Review Body on Nursing and Midwifery report in 2022 found that there is a need to increase undergraduate student numbers.  

“I look forward to contributing to the Expert Review Panel and representing these views and the nursing profession as we work to inform the development of new education programmes for nursing in Ireland that are at the highest possible standard and meet the needs of the healthcare sector and Irish population into the future.” 

Following the panel’s recommendations, the Higher Education Authority will consider opportunities for new programme provision alongside options for programme expansion to determine a final list of options to present to Government in March 2023.

The 2023 annual renewal window closed earlier this month and we would like to thank all our registrants who completed the process. 

The annual renewal fee goes towards our work to support nurses and midwives to provide care to the highest standards. This work includes:  

• Maintaining the Register of Nurses and Midwives and the Candidate Register for students.  
• Developing standards and guidance for nurses and midwives.  
• Assessing and approving education programmes for the professions.  
• Investigating complaints made against registrants.

The information registrants provided through the annual renewal process allows us to compile valuable data which informs broader research and evidence-based workforce planning across the Irish healthcare system. This will enable healthcare planners, policymakers and providers to make informed decisions benefiting the public and the professions.   

NMBI’s Director of Registration, Dr Ray Healy thanked the nurses and midwives who have renewed their registration for 2023: “I am pleased to say that more than 80,000 completed this year’s annual registration renewal and I would like thank all our registered nurses and midwives for their engagement.  

“Based on the information provided, work can begin to publish our annual State of the Register. This is an important publication that allows us to provide details on how many nurses and midwives are registered, practising and patient-facing in Ireland. We can also report on the gender, age and the geographical location of our registrants.” 

All nurses and midwives who practise in Ireland must, by law, be listed on the Register of Nurses and Midwives. Practice includes nursing or midwifery clinical practice, management, education, and research.  

For registrants who have neither renewed their registration nor voluntarily removed their name from the Register, we are legally obliged to include their name on the list of registrants that will be considered by the Board for removal. The Board considers removals from the Register for failure to pay the Annual Retention Fee (Section77 (1) of the Nurses and Midwives Act 2011) and will consider these at the March meeting. Please note that notifications of removals are sent to the Minister for Health, known employers, and the Health Service Executive (Section 82 of the Act). 

We are aware of the challenges faced by Ukrainian nurses and midwives now living in Ireland.

Over the past year, we have been supporting a number of nurses and midwives, who relocated to Ireland to escape the conflict in Ukraine, to join the Register of Nurses and Midwives.

We continue to work with colleagues across the health sector to support these nurses and midwives to practise in Ireland.

For example, we translated a document on frequently asked questions about our registration processes into Ukrainian and we are supporting a number of additional Ukrainian applicants through the process. 

The Department of Health is now funding clinical English language training to help Ukrainians meet the English language proficiency to register with a professional regulator in Ireland. The RegPath website provides information on the minimum English language proficiency levels required, the training available and how to apply. Applications are currently open for nurses and midwives who are registering with us and English language training is the final requirement for their registration.

Furthermore, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has a portal where Ukrainian health professionals can register their interest in working in the Irish public health service. This can be accessed here.

The HSE’s national online learning and development portal supports learning and development for health and social care staff and is now available to all Ukrainian healthcare workers.

Any nurses and midwives who need support to join the Register of Nurses and Midwives, having qualified from outside the EU, can contact G3reg@nmbi.ie.

Last month, our Director of Registration, Dr Ray Healy, presented at the Migrant Nurses Ireland Conference in the Richmond Education and Event Centre.

The annual event brought migrant nurses together to gain insights into Irish health and celebrate the contributions of migrant nurses in Ireland.

Dr Healy presented on the role of NMBI and the improvements we have made to the processing of overseas applications to join the Register of Nurses and Midwives in the last year. During 2022, NMBI received 7,158 applications for recognition or registration from candidates who qualified outside of Ireland.

The event also heard contributions from the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, the Embassy of India in Dublin, the Philippine Consulate Dublin, the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, the Association of Nigerian Nurses in Ireland, Filipino Nurses in Ireland and a number of recruiters.

NMBI continues to engage with Migrant Nurses Ireland to ensure we can continuously improve the service we provide.

Our President Dr Louise Kavanagh McBride and our Director of Education, Policy and Standards Carolyn Donohoe presented at the Quality and Qualifications (QQI) 'Finding Common Ground' event for professional statutory and regulatory bodies on Monday, 20 February.

The presentation detailed NMBI’s approach to developing and implementing a joint professional and academic accreditation process. Louise and Carolyn talked attendees through a case study of the quality review process of the nursing degree programmes at the Department of Nursing and Healthcare, Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Donegal. This was first time an education body’s quality review process was conducted at the same time as it was receiving its regulatory validation inspection. They discussed the challenges and benefits posed by conducting the processes in tandem for the regulator and the education body.

The event was an opportunity to share learning and knowledge with other professional regulators.

Attendees also heard about QQI’s Rethinking Assessment Project, as well an update on its assessment work and upcoming projects.

We are seeking registrants with experience in midwifery and/or care of the older person to join our Expert Witness Panel for fitness to practise inquiries.  

Expert witnesses will be asked to give their independent professional opinion to the Fitness to Practise Committee reviewing complaints made against registrants.  

While expert witnesses working in all areas of practice may be required, there is currently a shortage of experts in the areas of midwifery and care of the older person in a nursing home or community hospital context.  

Registrants with experience in midwifery and/or care of the older person are encouraged to submit an expression of interest to join the panel.

To be considered eligible to join the panel, individuals must: 

• be currently registered on the Register of Nurses and Midwives maintained by NMBI 
• have a minimum of five years’ post-registration experience in nursing or midwifery (including public, private and voluntary sectors; specialist areas of practice within general, children and paediatric, psychiatry or mental health, intellectual disability, older persons and midwifery) 
• be currently employed in a senior nursing or midwifery post (Clinical Nurse or Midwife Manager 2 or above; Practice Development Co-ordinators, Clinical Facilitators, Assistant Directors of Nursing or Midwifery, Directors of Nursing or Midwifery) within a practice setting (including public, private and voluntary sectors; specialist areas of practice within general, children and paediatric, psychiatry or mental health, intellectual disability, older persons and midwifery). 

During inquiries, expert witnesses are asked to provide their opinion on whether the alleged conduct of a nurse or midwife amounts to professional misconduct, poor professional performance and/or non-compliance with a code of professional conduct. As such, it is necessary for the expert witness to have the requisite degree of expertise in the discipline and/or specialist area of nursing or midwifery practice to which the complaint relates.  

The work of the expert witness typically involves a review of documentation relating to allegations against a nurse or midwife, preparing a report setting out their opinion and possible attendance at an inquiry hearing. Additional information can be found in our current Guidance for Nurses and Midwives Acting as an Expert Witness document.  

Interested individuals must submit a completed Expression of Interest Form–Expert Witnesses and a copy of their CV to eoi@nmbi.ie. 

If you would like any further information on the panel and what is involved, you can contact ftp@nmbi.ie.   

Suitable individuals will then be included on NMBI’s Expert Witness Panel. Please note there is no guarantee of work arising for being placed on the panel. 

The Board of NMBI has made decisions as to findings and sanctions arising from two complaints received.

The findings are published in full on NMBI's Findings and Decisions page.