Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
•   Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Assisting and Caring for Others Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
•   Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
•   Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
•   Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
•   Analysing Data or Information Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
•   Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
•   Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Working Life

Registered Advanced Nurse Practitioners (RANP) and Registered Advanced Midwifery Practitioners(RAMP) are nurses or midwives who are registered as advanced practitioners with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI). All RANPs or RAMPs possess a Master’s Degree (level 9 or higher) which is relevant, or applicable, to the advanced field of expertise, have extensive experience and qualifications and are registered as a Nurse/Midwife prescriber.

The RANP or RAMP is an integral member of the multidisciplinary team providing advanced care.  They utilise advanced clinical knowledge and critical thinking skills to provide optimum care and improved clinical outcomes through higher levels of critical analysis, problem solving and senior clinical decision-making as a lead healthcare professional who is accountable and responsible for their own practice.

The RANP or RAMP works in collaboration with other healthcare professionals and the role encompasses a full episode of care including admission, assessment, diagnostics, appropriate interventions, treatment, referral pathways, plan of care, follow up and discharge.

There is a wide range of advanced practice in Ireland across different healthcare settings which include:

RANPs:

• Hospital and community: respiratory, diabetes, cardiology
• Mental Health: child and adolescent mental health, adult mental health,
• Paediatrics: paediatric diabetes, respiratory
• ID Services: positive behaviour support, Intellectual Disability,

RAMP’s:

• Supported Care, Assisted Care, Perinatal Mental Health, Diabetes in Pregnancy, Women’s Health.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Maintain complete and detailed records of patients' health care plans and prognoses.
• Develop treatment plans, based on scientific rationale, standards of care, and professional practice guidelines.
• Provide patients with information needed to promote health, reduce risk factors, or prevent disease or disability.
• Analyse and interpret patients' histories, symptoms, physical findings, or diagnostic information to develop appropriate diagnoses.
• Diagnose or treat complex, unstable, comorbid, episodic, or emergency conditions in collaboration with other health care providers as necessary.
• Prescribe medication dosages, routes, and frequencies, based on such patient characteristics as age and gender.
• Diagnose or treat chronic health care problems, such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
• Prescribe medications based on efficacy, safety, and cost as legally authorised.
• Recommend diagnostic or therapeutic interventions with attention to safety, cost, invasiveness, simplicity, acceptability, adherence, and efficacy.
• Detect and respond to adverse drug reactions, with special attention to vulnerable populations such as infants, children, pregnant and lactating women, or older adults.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

 Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

 Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

The most direct route towards Midwifery is via a BSc degree in Midwifery NFQ level 8 and post graduate study. Applicants are required to have completed an honours primary degree in nursing and hold current registration with The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland. There are a number of different pathways to prepare you for a career in nursing.  All of these entry routes also apply to mature entrants.

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: nursing, midwifery, pre university, maternity care.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: nursing, midwifery, pre university, maternity care.

Search for PLC Courses

CAO Entry – General Nurse (RGN)

Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate) 
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.

Example search terms include: nursing.

• BSc in General Nursing (RGN)
• BSc in Mental Health Nursing (RPN)
• BSc in Intellectual Disability Nursing (RNID)
• BSc in Children's and General (integrated) Nursing

These general nursing programmes are offered through Higher Education Institutions (HEls) in association with the main healthcare agencies (hospitals/clinical sites).

Search for CAO Courses

Higher Education (Postgraduate)
Postgraduate courses are courses at Levels 9 and 10 on the NFQ and usually last 1 – 2 years full time, or longer if a PhD or part time. Entrants typically require an undergraduate award (Level 8).

Example search terms include: midwifery, advanced practice midwifery, nursing, advanced leadership, research, nursing advanced practice, health systems.

Search for Postgraduate Courses

Entry to the Advanced Nurse or Midwife Practitioner register requires a Master’s Degree in Advanced Practice, or a Master’s Degree in a specialist area with the additional modules required at advanced practice level (medication and /or x-ray prescriptive authority, clinical decision and leadership competencies, research competencies and competencies gained through a clinical practicum leading to clinical competence). MSc Nursing and Midwifery Advanced Practice Programmes are available from UCC, UCD, UL, ATU-NUIG and TCD.

Professional Development 

Professional development (CPD) courses are specialised training, formal education, or advanced professional learning that improves skills, professional knowledge, competency, and overall effectiveness in the professional world.

NMBI Career paths for further information on how to train and register as a midwife.

Check the Useful Contacts tab on this page to see if there are any professional bodies listed who may provide training related to this career.

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €67k - €82k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
HSE.ie/ Glassdoor/ Indeed

Last Updated: July, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Practice nurses; psychiatric nurses; staff nurses; nurse (clinical specialists); nurse-tutors; midwives.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

The Slaintecare Action Plan 2023 highlights that an additional 4,592 nurses/midwives were employed in the health service since 2020; funding for an additional 149 posts for advanced nurse and midwife practitioners has also been secured. In addition, the Minister for Health has announced funding for 854 additional nursing posts.44 Over 3,000 new employment permits were issued for nurses in 2022, primarily for staff nurses. This reliance on supply from outside of Ireland has resulted in an increasing share of nurses who are non-Irish citizens (at over 30% in quarter 4 2022).

Vacancies for nurses appeared frequently in the vacancy data in 2022 (both DSP and OVATE) and difficult-to-fill vacancies in the Recruitment Agency Survey included for staff nurses, theatre, ICU, oncology, nurse managers. Supply from the higher education system is expected to increase, with the announcement in Summer 2023 of an additional 208 places on nursing courses to be made available in Irish higher education institutions and a further 200 places reserved for students from the Republic of Ireland, to be delivered in Northern Ireland. Nonetheless, given the duration of training programmes, demand for nurses is likely to continue to outweigh supply leading to a continued shortage, with replacement demand alone for such a large occupation contributing to continued job openings.

• Office of the Nursing and Midwifery Services Director, HSE Dr Steevens’ Hospital

  • Dublin DO8 W2A8
  • 01 635 2471
  • Click Here

• Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI)

  • 18-20 Carysfort Avenue, Blackrock, Co. Dublin.
  • (01) 639 8500 LoCall 0818 200 116
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here