NMBI Voice

NMBI

NMBI Voice covers the key changes and challenges facing our profession today.

Whether you're dealing with new regulations, maintaining your professional development, or navigating ethical decisions in your daily practice, NMBI Voice breaks down complex topics into practical guidance you can use.

You'll hear from NMBI experts and colleagues who understand the realities of our work environment, offering clear explanations of what new policies mean for your practice and career.

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

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Avg 34 min
English

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#15
August 3 · 15 min
NMBI Voice: Best Of Highlights
Protecting the public in a rapidly digitised world requires more than just new technology. Success in the modern era demands a bridge between national health policy and the reality of the hospital ward. This episode explores how Ireland's nursing leaders and innovators are closing that gap to improve patient outcomes. We discuss digital integration, frontline leadership, and the power of human-centric design. Joining host Kathyann Barrett are Ireland's Chief Nursing Officer Rachel Kenna, NMBI Board President Áine Lynch, and Innovation Fellows Una Rogers and Anne Marie Kieran, alongside advanced practice voices Jess Sears and Emer Shine. THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT Integrating digital care into advanced practice specialties. Why leaders must stay connected to frontline reality. Building trust and breaking barriers with vulnerable patients. Using design thinking to solve everyday ward challenges. Boosting professional confidence through innovation and networking. GUEST DETAILS This episode features a powerhouse panel of Irish nursing and midwifery leaders. Rachel Kenna serves as the Chief Nursing Officer, leading national health policy with a focus on digital integration. Áine Lynch, as NMBI Board President, champions practical leadership accessible to staff. Innovation Fellows Una Rogers and Anne Marie Kieran, alongside Advanced Nurse Practitioner Jess Sears and Midwife Emer Shine, provide frontline expertise on implementing patient-centred solutions and human-centric design. MORE INFORMATION NMBI is the statutory body which sets the standards for the education, registration and professional conduct of nurses and midwives. We advise on how nurses and midwives should provide care to patients, their families and society. Our mission is to protect the public and the integrity of the professions of nursing and midwifery through the promotion of high standards of education, training, and professional conduct. We achieve this by providing leadership to registered nurses and midwives to support them to deliver safe care through innovative and proactive professional regulation. Our functions in safeguarding the public involve establishing and maintaining the Register of Nurses and Midwives. We also establish procedures and criteria for the assessment and registration of nurses and midwives. Visit the Registration section of our website to learn more. Additionally, we set the standards and requirements for nursing and midwifery education programmes. We approve education programmes and further education programmes for the purposes for nurses and midwives. Visit NMBI.ie to learn more. QUOTES Remove the barriers of fear, and it'll take us to great places, particularly with the young generation. - Rachel Kenna I think it is leaders, you know, all leaders I know want to be accessible. - Áine Lynch The only reason why someone should not be on HIV medication is if they have decided that they don't want to be. - Jess Sears Meeting people where they're at, so we're here now, and that's great, and let's see what we can do from now. - Emer Shine I think I understand the value of what we've done and the difficult journey we've had, and to have confidence in asking the question, is this a good idea? - Anne Marie Kieran If you do have an idea, and you just want to troubleshoot it... We're always happy to consult on different ideas. - Una Rogers KEYWORDS #IrishNursingInnovation#IrishMidwiferyInnovation#FrontlineLeadershipStrategy#HealthcareDesignThinking
#12
July 6 · 37 min
The Value of NMBI
Everyone goes to work every day wanting to make a difference. The professional regulation shield provides a clear framework to nurses and midwives to navigate daily challenges while maintaining clinical excellence. This discussion demystifies the role of the regulator beyond fitness to practise. We explore how the NMBI Code of Conduct serves as a foundational roadmap for every practitioner. Carolyn Donohoe, CEO of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland, joins the podcast to share her expertise. With a distinguished career in clinical facilitation and hospital management, she brings a practical perspective to regulatory governance. We examine how understanding and utilising these professional tools directly empowers practitioners to protect the public while advancing their own careers. THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT Why regulation acts as a professional shield for nurses and midwives. The fundamental role of the Code of Conduct in practise. Distinguishing between fitness to practice and professional standards. Maintaining public trust through competence and professional development. Navigating the high-tech and high-touch future of healthcare. GUEST DETAILS Carolyn Donohoe is CEO of Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland, appointed permanently summer 2025. She leads strategically for protection of the public by shaping and developing professional regulation for the nursing and midwifery professions. Her nursing career spans intensive care clinical facilitation, hospital management, and strategic education leadership before joining NMBI, bringing expertise in regulatory frameworks and translating clinical experience into effective governance. MORE INFORMATION NMBI is the statutory body which sets the standards for the education, registration and professional conduct of nurses and midwives. We advise on how nurses and midwives should provide care to patients, their families and society. Our mission is to protect the public and the integrity of the professions of nursing and midwifery through the promotion of high standards of education, training, and professional conduct. We achieve this by providing leadership to registered nurses and midwives to support them to deliver safe care through innovative and proactive professional regulation. Our functions in safeguarding the public involve establishing and maintaining the Register of Nurses and Midwives. We also establish procedures and criteria for the assessment and registration of nurses and midwives. Visit the Registration section of our website to learn more. Additionally, we set the standards and requirements for nursing and midwifery education programmes. We approve education programmes and further education programmes for the purposes for nurses and midwives. Visit NMBI.ie to learn more. QUOTES I would see regulation as my shield. I have a framework that I can work to that will keep me safe and keep the patients safe. - Carolyn Donohoe The first link came into my psyche, that actually there was a code of conduct and ethics that was important to us now that we were professional. - Carolyn Donohoe If you are in any way or shape worried or concerned, refer to it, check what the right practice should be, and look at my scope to see, do I have all the pieces of that puzzle to make sure I am safe. - Carolyn Donohoe KEYWORDS #NMBIIreland#CodeOfConduct#ScopeOfPractice#ProfessionalDevelopment#NMBIVoice
#11
June 8 · 29 min
Governance In NMBI
The regulation of professional standards in Irish nursing and midwifery is complex, often misunderstood, and critical to public protection. Ensuring that the regulator remains impartial and focused on public interest requires expertise that goes beyond the professions themselves. This episode tackles the essential role of lay members in maintaining high standards and robust governance within statutory bodies. We explore the core positive aspects of professional regulation, the challenge of balancing standards with real-world pressures, and the emerging risks—like cybersecurity and digitalisation—facing every modern organisation. Joining us to validate and expand upon this core thesis is respected industry colleague John Horan. John is a current member of the NMBI Board and Chair of its Audit and Risk Committee, bringing extensive senior management experience from organisations including Aer Lingus, the Irish Hotels Federation, and Veterinary Ireland THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT John Horan's varied career journey Role of a public representative The positive purpose of regulation Lay-professional mix on boards Major organisational risks emerging now GUESTS DETAILS John Horan is a board member of NMBI and currently serves as the Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee. He has previously served as Chairperson of a State Board and was Chief Executive of both the Irish Hotels Federation and Veterinary Ireland, showcasing his strong background in management practice and national-level lobbying. MORE INFORMATION NMBI is the statutory body which sets the standards for the education, registration and professional conduct of nurses and midwives. We advise on how nurses and midwives should provide care to patients, their families and society. Our mission is to protect the public and the integrity of the professions of nursing and midwifery through the promotion of high standards of education, training, and professional conduct. We achieve this by providing leadership to registered nurses and midwives to support them to deliver safe care through innovative and proactive professional regulation. Our functions in safeguarding the public involve establishing and maintaining the Register of Nurses and Midwives. We also establish procedures and criteria for the assessment and registration of nurses and midwives. Visit the Registration section of our website to learn more. Additionally, we set the standards and requirements for nursing and midwifery education programmes. We approve education programmes and further education programmes for the purposes for nurses and midwives. Visit NMBI.ie to learn more. QUOTES I believe that the professionals that I've dealt with are harder on their own colleagues and peers than I would be as a lay person. - John Horan To a young person starting out, I would say, yeah, if a position comes up in the public sector, grab it with both hands. - John Horan Don't get sort of pigeonholed, and don't get blinkered into thinking, oh, this is just this is the one route I'm on." - John Horan KEYWORDS: #NursingRegulation #LayMember #BoardGovernance #ProfessionalStandards #PublicSector
#10
May 4 · 32 min
Chief Nurse on Policy Power
Irish nurses and midwives face constant pressure to innovate and improve the nation's health system while maintaining high standards of care. Achieving genuine policy change requires the lived experience of front-line professionals to be heard and acted upon. This episode delves into the critical role nurses and midwives play in shaping high-level health policy, leading workforce reform, and embracing a digital future. We discuss the success of advanced practice in improving patient access, the 47 recommendations from the Expert Review Body, and why optimism must overcome fear regarding AI and technology in healthcare. Host Kathyann Barrett, NMBI Director of Corporate Services and Strategy, is joined by Ireland's Chief Nurse, Rachel Kenna. Rachel is an Assistant Secretary in the Department of Health, responsible for the National Patient Safety Office and strategic workforce planning. THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT - Rachel Kenna's early nursing ambition. - Value of working abroad experience. - Chief Nurse's extensive policy responsibilities. - Advanced practice drives significant access. - AI and digital as the future. GUESTS DETAILS Rachel Kenna is the Chief Nursing Officer for Ireland and an Assistant Secretary in the Department of Health. Her responsibilities include the National Patient Safety Office, strategic workforce planning, and professional regulation policy. She is skilled at translating clinical knowledge into effective policy and is committed to ensuring the voice of nurses and midwives is heard at the highest government levels. MORE INFORMATION NMBI is the statutory body which sets the standards for the education, registration and professional conduct of nurses and midwives. We advise on how nurses and midwives should provide care to patients, their families and society. Our mission is to protect the public and the integrity of the professions of nursing and midwifery through the promotion of high standards of education, training, and professional conduct. We achieve this by providing leadership to registered nurses and midwives to support them to deliver safe care through innovative and proactive professional regulation. Our functions in safeguarding the public involve establishing and maintaining the Register of Nurses and Midwives. We also establish procedures and criteria for the assessment and registration of nurses and midwives. Visit the Registration section of our website to learn more. Additionally, we set the standards and requirements for nursing and midwifery education programmes. We approve education programmes and further education programmes for the purposes for nurses and midwives. Visit NMBI.ie to learn more. QUOTES Nurses and midwives can actually turn their hand to anything. - Rachel Kenna The system that we work in and operating as a nurse in a health system, gave me a huge understanding. - Rachel Kenna My clinical knowledge is hugely important in terms of being able to perform in that space. - Rachel Kenna KEYWORDS #AdvancedPractice #NursingPolicy #DigitalHealth #WorkforceReform #NMBI
#9
April 6 · 37 min
Healthcare Access: Breaking Barriers
Vulnerable people in our society face significant barriers when accessing essential healthcare services. These non-traditional challenges require nurses and midwives to step outside conventional clinical settings and adopt autonomous, flexible roles to ensure that necessary care is delivered. This episode explores how two healthcare professionals are meeting patients where they are, breaking down systemic barriers, and using innovative communication to provide support during pregnancy, substance use, and chronic conditions like epilepsy. The conversation highlights the vital importance of adaptability and relational skills in modern healthcare.1 Host Kathyann Barrett is joined by Jess Sears, an Advanced Nurse Practitioner in Inclusion Health Epilepsy at St James’s Hospital, and Emer Shine, a midwife who runs the Daisy Clinic at The Coombe Hospital, offering support to pregnant people in international protection or homeless services. THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT Emer’s journey from nurse to midwife. Daisy Clinic: Support for vulnerable pregnant people. Jess's path to inclusion health nursing. Overcoming barriers to public healthcare access. The critical importance of communication skills GUESTS DETAILS Emer Shine, Clinical Midwife Manager at the Daisy Clinic, The Coombe Hospital. Emer transitioned from general nursing to midwifery and has extensive experience working in addiction services. She is highly skilled in complex patient communication and building long-term trusting relationships with vulnerable women and families Contact : Email:eshine@coombe.ie Jess Sears, Advanced Nurse Practitioner in Inclusion Health Epilepsy, St James’s Hospital. Jess has nearly 20 years of experience supporting vulnerable populations in public health. Her skills include providing specialist, opportunistic expert care and finding creative ways to overcome barriers to medication access and appointments Contact : linkedin.com/in/jess-sears-5a03b349 MORE INFORMATION NMBI is the statutory body which sets the standards for the education, registration and professional conduct of nurses and midwives. We advise on how nurses and midwives should provide care to patients, their families and society. Our mission is to protect the public and the integrity of the professions of nursing and midwifery through the promotion of high standards of education, training, and professional conduct. We achieve this by providing leadership to registered nurses and midwives to support them to deliver safe care through innovative and proactive professional regulation. Our functions in safeguarding the public involve establishing and maintaining the Register of Nurses and Midwives. We also establish procedures and criteria for the assessment and registration of nurses and midwives. Visit the Registration section of our website to learn more. Additionally, we set the standards and requirements for nursing and midwifery education programmes. We approve education programmes and further education programmes for the purposes for nurses and midwives. Visit NMBI.ie to learn more. QUOTES It's the communication part of it, yeah, for me was the biggest thing. - Emer Shine Just keep chasing Opportunities to learn new things and things that you're excited about. - Jess Sears You just need to be there when you say you will be, not making any promises that you can't keep and just do what you say you'll do. - Jess Sears I think support is the main objective of the days of clinic, and just giving them somebody that they can they can contact if needs be. - Emer Shine KEYWORDS: #InclusionHealth #IrishNursing #MidwiferyCare #HealthcareAccess #VulnerablePopulations
#8
March 2 · 32 min
A Journey in Care: From Frontline Nursing to Board President
Maintaining the highest standards of clinical care while navigating the complex requirements of professional regulation can feel like a daunting challenge for healthcare practitioners in a rapidly evolving system. Professionals often struggle to balance their daily clinical duties with the overarching need for strategic growth and public safety. This episode explores the vital intersection of clinical excellence and regulatory oversight, offering a roadmap for career progression and professional development. We delve into the importance of the new Code of Conduct, the upcoming professional competence schemes, and how active listening transforms patient engagement into meaningful partnership. Our guest is Áine Lynch, the President of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland. With decades of experience spanning orthopaedics, nurse practice development, and executive leadership, Áine brings a wealth of knowledge from her distinguished career at Tallaght University Hospital and beyond. THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT Inspiration for entering the nursing profession Gaining clinical experience through global travel Transitioning from clinical to strategic leadership The boards role in public protection New strategy for supporting Irish registrants GUEST DETAILS Áine Lynch is the President of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland and a seasoned healthcare leader. She currently serves as a senior nurse leader at Tallaght University Hospital, where she has held various pivotal roles including Director of Nursing. Her expertise lies in orthopaedic nursing, nurse practice development, and strategic health service planning. Áine is recognised for her ability to bridge the gap between frontline clinical practice and national regulatory policy. MORE INFORMATION NMBI is the statutory body which sets the standards for the education, registration and professional conduct of nurses and midwives. We advise on how nurses and midwives should provide care to patients, their families and society. Our mission is to protect the public and the integrity of the professions of nursing and midwifery through the promotion of high standards of education, training, and professional conduct. We achieve this by providing leadership to registered nurses and midwives to support them to deliver safe care through innovative and proactive professional regulation. Our functions in safeguarding the public involve establishing and maintaining the Register of Nurses and Midwives. We also establish procedures and criteria for the assessment and registration of nurses and midwives. Visit the Registration section of our website to learn more. Additionally, we set the standards and requirements for nursing and midwifery education programmes. We approve education programmes and further education programmes for the purposes for nurses and midwives. Visit NMBI.ie to learn more. QUOTES It is important for leaders in the professions to stay connected to what is happening clinically." — Áine Lynch "It is so important that we are encouraging our colleagues. And it is that nurturing piece, that kind of nudge." — Áine Lynch "I am thrilled to be where I am in my career in terms of all that I have had the privilege of doing." — Áine Lynch "It is all about active listening and genuine engagement. It is not a tick box exercise." — Áine Lynch "Work hard. Have adventures. Make great friends. All of that has happened." — Áine Lynch KEYWORDS #NursingLeadership #PublicProtection #ProfessionalRegulation #HealthcareStrategy #NursingCareer
#7
February 2 · 46 min
Nursing and Midwifery Innovation
The healthcare landscape constantly faces complex challenges, demanding innovative solutions to enhance patient care and professional practice across the clinical frontline. This episode delves into the world of healthcare innovation, exploring how nurses and midwives are uniquely positioned to drive meaningful change in service delivery, patient experience, and operational efficiency. The discussion highlights successful projects, including the use of virtual reality for pain management and digital apps for crucial communication. Listeners are given practical advice on how to turn their own ideas into funded, successful reality. Host Kathyann Barrett, NMBI Head of Operations, is joined by two great innovators: Una Rogers, National Nursing and Midwifery Innovation Fellow, and Anna Marie Kiernan, Registered Advanced Nurse Practitioner in Pain Medicine and National Nursing & Midwifery Innovation Fellow. THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT Una & Anna Marie’s career paths and new roles COVID-19 as a driver for digital health Innovation is about multidisciplinary collaboration Human-centred design transforms services Advice for frontline innovators GUESTS DETAILS UNA ROGERS: Una is the National Nursing and Midwifery Innovation Fellow with the HSE Spark Innovation Programme. She is a Community Midwife Manager with over 12 years of experience, deeply committed to woman-centred, holistic maternity care. Una successfully led a Quality Improvement Project that used technology to enhance interpretation services in the Maternity Outpatients Department, improving patient satisfaction while reducing costs. Contact Una: linkedin: linkedin.com/in/una-rogers-200251280 ANNA MARIE KIERNAN: Anna Marie is a Registered Advanced Nurse Practitioner (RANP) in Pain Medicine and a National Nursing & Midwifery Innovation Fellow with the HSE Spark Innovation Programme. She has successfully led service redesign initiatives, significantly reducing patient wait times for complex pain treatment. Anna Marie has also co-developed extended reality tools for chronic pain self-management and is focused on developing innovation literacy for frontline staff. Contact Anna Maire: Website: https://healthservice.hse.ie/staff/spark-innovation-programme/ Social Media: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-marie-kiernan-69506a220 MORE INFORMATION NMBI is the statutory body which sets the standards for the education, registration and professional conduct of nurses and midwives. We advise on how nurses and midwives should provide care to patients, their families and society. Our mission is to protect the public and the integrity of the professions of nursing and midwifery through the promotion of high standards of education, training, and professional conduct. We achieve this by providing leadership to registered nurses and midwives to support them to deliver safe care through innovative and proactive professional regulation. Our functions in safeguarding the public involve establishing and maintaining the Register of Nurses and Midwives. We also establish procedures and criteria for the assessment and registration of nurses and midwives. Visit the Registration section of our website to learn more. Additionally, we set the standards and requirements for nursing and midwifery education programmes. We approve education programmes and further education programmes for the purposes for nurses and midwives. Visit NMBI.ie to learn more. QUOTES Innovation is about multidisciplinary collaboration with the human at the centre, always making sure that what we're doing is to improve the outcome for the patient, but also the profession. - Una Rogers It's not thinking like, you know, you're out thinking outside of the box. It's thinking like there never was a box. - Una Rogers I always say I go into a patient with a clean slate. I don't base my opinion on someone else's story. I create my own story with a patient. - Anna Marie Kiernan I think the advice I would give would be to have a little bit of belief in yourself and confidence in yourself - Anna Marie Kiernan KEYWORDS Innovation, multidisciplinary collaboration, nursing and midwifery, patient outcomes, digital health, human-centered design, pain management, virtual reality, augmented reality
#6
January 12 · 46 min
Midwifery: Science Meets Compassionate Care
Regulation of the nursing and midwifery professions is often viewed as a detached, rules-based process, yet its true role is to protect the public by actively supporting the professional development of its practitioners. This balance is critical to maintain the public's trust in these highly-regarded caring professions, and it requires a forward-thinking approach that embraces both the science and the humanity of care. This episode explores the unique identity of the midwifery profession, examining its core principles of art and science, its evolution towards integrated community care, and the importance of its professional distinction from nursing. It offers perspectives on education, the future of practice, and the profound, privileged role of the midwife. Host Kathyann Barrett, NMBI Head of Operations, is joined by Dr. Karn Cliffe, NMBI Director of Professional Standards Midwifery, and Lauren Walsh, a second year midwifery student at UCD, for this insightful discussion. THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT Midwifery career path and travel The art and science of midwifery Midwifery's distinct professional identity Shift to integrated community care The privilege of a midwife's role GUESTS DETAILS Dr. Karn Cliffe is the Director for Professional Standards for Midwifery with the Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI). A dual-qualified nurse and midwife, she has extensive international experience in community and hospital settings and holds the Adjunct Professor title at Trinity College Dublin. She is joined by Lauren Walsh, a second-year midwifery student at UCD. MORE INFORMATION NMBI is the statutory body which sets the standards for the education, registration and professional conduct of nurses and midwives. We advise on how nurses and midwives should provide care to patients, their families and society. Our mission is to protect the public and the integrity of the professions of nursing and midwifery through the promotion of high standards of education, training, and professional conduct. We achieve this by providing leadership to registered nurses and midwives to support them to deliver safe care through innovative and proactive professional regulation. Our functions in safeguarding the public involve establishing and maintaining the Register of Nurses and Midwives. We also establish procedures and criteria for the assessment and registration of nurses and midwives. Visit the Registration section of our website to learn more. Additionally, we set the standards and requirements for nursing and midwifery education programmes. We approve education programmes and further education programmes for nurses and midwives. Visit NMBI.ie to learn more. QUOTES It's looking at the woman and the baby as a unit. So we never look at just the woman, and we look at the woman carrying her baby. - Dr. Karn Cliffe I hope we see more integration and integration of care across the community and the acute settings. - Dr. Karn Cliffe I loved literally within the first week of starting in my training, the end of the first week, going, Wow, this is it. I'm home. - Lauren Walsh KEYWORDS #IrishMidwifery #MidwiferyStandards #PerinatalCare #MidwiferyEducation #NMBI
#5
Dec 1, 2025 · 39 min
CEO Carolyn Donohoe: On Career Journey And Regulator Leadership
Nurses and midwives need clarity on regulation's dual role protecting public whilst actively supporting their professional development. Carolyn Donohoe, NMBI CEO, explains how right touch regulation balances proportionate standards with fairness, why undergraduate education now incorporates equality diversity inclusion and social determinants of health, and how strategic focus on plain English communication makes professional requirements accessible. With a nursing background spanning intensive care teaching to hospital management, she shares a career journey from bedside's instant gratification to broader leadership impact, maintaining public trust consistently ranking top two professions in Ipsos surveys, and encouraging registrants to engage without fear through road shows, webinars, and consultations whilst doing their best with available resources. THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT Career journey bedside nurse to CEO Regulation means setting standards based risk Right touch proportionate fair transparent approach Undergraduate reform equality diversity holistic care Supporting registrants plain English accessible communication GUEST DETAILS Carolyn Donohoe is CEO of Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland, appointed permanently summer 2025. She leads strategically for the protection of the public by shaping and developing professional regulation for the nursing and midwifery professions. Her nursing career spans intensive care clinical facilitation, hospital management, and strategic education leadership before joining NMBI, bringing expertise in regulatory frameworks and translating clinical experience into effective governance. MORE INFORMATION NMBI is the statutory body which sets the standards for the education, registration and professional conduct of nurses and midwives. We advise on how nurses and midwives should provide care to patients, their families and society. Our mission is to protect the public and the integrity of the professions of nursing and midwifery through the promotion of high standards of education, training, and professional conduct. We achieve this by providing leadership to registered nurses and midwives to support them to deliver safe care through innovative and proactive professional regulation. Our functions in safeguarding the public involve establishing and maintaining the Register of Nurses and Midwives. We also establish procedures and criteria for the assessment and registration of nurses and midwives. Visit the Registration section of our website to learn more. Additionally, we set the standards and requirements for nursing and midwifery education programmes. We approve education programmes and further education programmes for the purposes for nurses and midwives. Visit NMBI.ie to learn more. QUOTES It's just trying to be more valuable to society. So for the next 10 years, what's the value add of nursing and what's the value add of midwifery? - Carolyn Donohoe It was about human interaction and those connections and how you could help and make people better. - Carolyn Donohoe We set rules for nurses and midwives in this country to practice, because we recognise they have the opportunity to interact with very vulnerable people and to do jobs that could potentially cause a lot of harm if they didn't, if the nurse or midwife didn't know what they were doing. So you have to put in kind of safeguards around that. - Carolyn Donohoe KEYWORDS #NursingRegulation #MidwiferyStandards #PublicProtection #ProfessionalCompetence #RightTouchRegulation What is NMBI Voice? NMBI Voice covers the key changes and challenges facing our profession today. Whether you're dealing with new regulations, maintaining your professional development, or navigating ethical decisions in your daily practice, NMBI Voice breaks down complex topics into practical guidance you can use. You'll hear from NMBI experts and colleagues who understand the realities of our work environment, offering clear explanations of what new policies mean for your practice and career. New episodes air on the first Monday of every month, giving you the information you need to maintain excellent standards while focusing on what matters most – caring for your patients.
#4
Nov 3, 2025 · 36 min
Marie Therese Hackett: Healthcare Regulation Complaint Investigation Explained
Fitness to practise sounds intimidating—and for nurses and midwives facing complaints, it can feel like the hardest side of regulation. Marie-Therese Hackett is NMBI’s Inquiries Legal Adviser, with 20 years’ experience in the legal profession working across criminal law, civil litigation, and healthcare regulation. Marie-Therese’s professional background provides a strong foundation for ensuring regulatory processes are fair, transparent, and proportionate. Having worked closely with vulnerable participants in a range of legal processes and regulatory systems, she is deeply aware of the impact such processes can have on the individual. These experiences have made her passionate about promoting compassionate practice and reducing harm wherever possible. Marie-Therese’s personal experience of neonatal intensive care units has given her a profound respect for healthcare professionals and a deep appreciation of the trust that patients and their families place in the healthcare system. These personal experiences strengthen her commitment to fairness, empathy, and continuous improvements in healthcare regulation. THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT How fitness to practice protects public safety How the three-stage legal framework for complaints works How the Compassion Project transformed witness care through dedicated liaison officers and 24/7 emotional support line Why witnesses experience re-traumatisation without trauma-informed practices How reducing "witness work" through practical measures supports participants MORE INFORMATION NMBI is the statutory body which sets the standards for the education, registration and professional conduct of nurses and midwives. We advise on how nurses and midwives should provide care to patients, their families and society. Our mission is to protect the public and the integrity of the professions of nursing and midwifery through the promotion of high standards of education, training, and professional conduct. We achieve this by providing leadership to registered nurses and midwives to support them to deliver safe care through innovative and proactive professional regulation. Our functions in safeguarding the public involve establishing and maintaining the Register of Nurses and Midwives. We also establish procedures and criteria for the assessment and registration of nurses and midwives. Visit the Registration section of our website to learn more. Additionally, we set the standards and requirements for nursing and midwifery education programmes. We approve education programmes and further education programmes for the purposes for nurses and midwives. Visit NMBI.ie to learn more. QUOTES When I think of healthcare regulation, we are all working in that wider system to protect the public and the trust in the professions. - Marie Therese Hackett When we say that someone is fit to practice, what we mean is that they have the appropriate skills, they have the knowledge, they have the character and the health to practice their profession safely and effectively - Marie Therese Hackett With over 90,000 people on the register, the number of complaints coming through is really small. - Marie Therese Hackett We launched our witness care project with the focus that we wanted every single person coming through to have a person-focused tailored experience based on trust, showing them respect and appreciation for the role that they play. We can't do our job without witnesses - Marie Therese Hackett This is a regulatory process, and emotion has to come out of it, but for those people involved in it, you can never take the emotion out of it. We need to recognize that. - Marie Therese Hackett KEYWORDS #witnesscare #altruism #processimprovement #traumainformed #participantsupport
#3
Oct 6, 2025 · 39 min
Realities of Registration - Dr Ray Healy
Kathyann Barrett is joined by Dr Ray Healy, NMBI’s Director of Registration, to unpack one of the regulator’s core functions: maintaining the nursing and midwifery register. From Irish and EU-trained 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 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. Ultimately, it highlights the constant balancing act between efficiency, fairness, and safeguarding public trust. THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT How Dr. Ray Healy’s journey from nursing to policy to regulation shapes his perspective on registration. What it really means to be “on the register” — and why it’s central to public safety. The impact of Brexit, global conflicts, and documentation gaps on nurses seeking registration. Why India and the Philippines are now Ireland’s largest sources of new nurses. The rigorous recognition process, from fraud checks to adaptation placements and aptitude tests. Why registration is ultimately a daily balancing act between fairness, efficiency, and protecting the public. GUEST DETAILS Dr Ray Healy is NMBI’s Director of Registration. He is a Registered General Nurse, having worked in orthopaedic and neurosurgical settings across public and private services at St James's Hospital, Dublin, in the NHS England, and in the Beacon and Hermitage hospitals in Dublin. Prior to his appointment to NMBI in 2021, Ray was a Project Officer in the Chief Nursing Officer’s Office in the Department of Health, project managing the safe nurse staffing and skill mix brief. Ray was also appointed as the secretariat for the Expert Review Body of Nursing and Midwifery and brought the Body’s report to publication in 2022. Ray holds a Master's degree in Leadership from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and recently completed his Doctorate in Nursing from London South Bank University, which focused on how nurses in an acute care setting define the care they provide. At NMBI, Ray leads a team responsible for the registration of nurses and midwives from Ireland, the EU and outside the EU. Ray has worked to reduce the timeframe taken to assess applications from overseas candidates as Director. He also leads on the annual registration renewal of registrants every year. MORE INFORMATION NMBI is the statutory body which sets the standards for the education, registration and professional conduct of nurses and midwives. We advise on how nurses and midwives should provide care to patients, their families and society. Our mission is to protect the public and the integrity of the professions of nursing and midwifery through the promotion of high standards of education, training, and professional conduct. We achieve this by providing leadership to registered nurses and midwives to support them to deliver safe care through innovative and proactive professional regulation. Our functions in safeguarding the public involve establishing and maintaining the Register of Nurses and Midwives. We also establish procedures and criteria for the assessment and registration of nurses and midwives. Visit the Registration section of our website to learn more. Additionally, we set the standards and requirements for nursing and midwifery education programmes. We approve education programmes and further education programmes for the purposes for nurses and midwives. Visit NMBI.ie to learn more. QUOTES • Being on the register means you have a legal title in this country — it gives you a license to practice as a nurse or midwife. – Dr. Ray Healy • That’s the daily challenge we’re faced with — making sure someone has the right qualifications while not deterring people we badly need in the workforce. – Dr. Ray Healy • It’s one of those random consequences of Brexit that people mightn’t be aware of — suddenly the evidence we used to rely on isn’t there, and applicants are left frustrated. – Dr. Ray Healy • It may come across as pedantic, but it’s about public safety — we need clear evidence that someone is in good standing, even if conflict or politics makes that harder. – Dr. Ray Healy • It’s not your fault if you can’t get the documents, but it’s not my fault either. I can’t put you on the register just because you can’t get documents — it’s an impossible balance we have to strike every day. – Dr. Ray Healy • We sit in that space between policy, operations, and patient safety — regulation is where the rules are put into practice. – Dr. Ray Healy KEYWORDS #Nursing #Midwifery #HealthcareRegulation #NMBI #NMBIVoice #NurseRegistration #PublicSafety #NurseLife #BrexitImpact #GlobalNursing #IrishHealthcare #SafePractice
#2
Sep 8, 2025 · 41 min
Keeping Practice Safe: Inside NMBI’s Professional Competence Scheme
Kathyann Barrett speaks with Professional Officer Mary Devane about NMBI’s new Professional Competence Scheme and what it means for nurses and midwives. Mary reflects on her wide-ranging career — from training in Cork and working in London to public health nursing and practice development — and how her own commitment to continuous learning shaped her perspective. Together, they unpack the pilot scheme: the balance of CPD hours and practice hours, the importance of reflective learning, the role of employers in supporting competence, and how the scheme will be audited and rolled out nationally by 2027. Throughout the conversation, the focus is on maintaining safe practice, aligning with the Code, and showcasing the professionalism and pride that underpin nursing and midwifery. THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT How curiosity and continuous learning shaped Mary’s career and passion for education. Why NMBI developed the Professional Competence Scheme — and what it aims to achieve. The balance of CPD hours, practice hours, and reflection in maintaining competence. Why reflection matters — and how it turns everyday learning into safer practice. How the pilot scheme is being tested across 37 sites and what early feedback reveals. The role of employers in supporting nurses and midwives to maintain competence. How mandatory training fits into CPD, and why it’s not just a tick-box exercise. What future audits will look like — and how the scheme will be rolled out by 2027. Why this is ultimately about pride in the professions, accountability, and public trust. GUEST DETAILS Mary Devane is a Professional Officer, Education, Policy and Standards Department at NMBI MORE INFORMATION NMBI is the statutory body which sets the standards for the education, registration and professional conduct of nurses and midwives. We advise on how nurses and midwives should provide care to patients, their families and society. Our mission is to protect the public and the integrity of the professions of nursing and midwifery through the promotion of high standards of education, training, and professional conduct. We achieve this by providing leadership to registered nurses and midwives to support them to deliver safe care through innovative and proactive professional regulation. Our functions in safeguarding the public involve establishing and maintaining the Register of Nurses and Midwives. We also establish procedures and criteria for the assessment and registration of nurses and midwives. Visit the Registration section of our website to learn more. Additionally, we set the standards and requirements for nursing and midwifery education programmes. We approve education programmes and further education programmes for the purposes for nurses and midwives. Visit NMBI.ie to learn more. QUOTES This is really about the promotion of safe practice, because ultimately that’s what we’re about — making sure that nurses and midwives are protecting the public through their practice. – Mary T. Devane We really want people to reflect and to consider how they need to practise safely and align that to the Code — not just turn it into a tick-box exercise. – Mary T. Devane Sometimes when we do reflect, we don’t know what we’re going to open up in our learning — it can be like a Pandora’s box, but in a good way. – Mary T. Devane Employers who support nurses and midwives to maintain competence don’t just improve staff retention — they improve the quality of care for everyone. – Mary T. Devane It’s really a chance to show what you’re doing anyway — to showcase the professionalism and pride that nurses and midwives already bring to their work every day. – Mary T. Devane KEYWORDS #Nursing #Midwifery #ProfessionalCompetence #CPD #ReflectivePractice #SafePractice #HealthcareLeadership #NMBIVoice #NursingEducation #PatientSafety #ContinuousLearning
#1
Sep 8, 2025 · 43 min
From Principles to Practice: The NMBI Code
In the debut episode of NMBI Voice, host Kathyann Barrett is joined by Lorraine Clarke Bishop, Interim Director of Education, Policy, and Standards at the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland, to explore the newly updated Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics for Registered Nurses and Registered Midwives. Together they trace Lorraine’s own journey into nursing and reflect on how the Code first shaped her practice, before diving into why it remains central for over 90,000 nurses and midwives across Ireland today. From guiding everyday decision-making to handling ethical dilemmas, patient safety, cultural sensitivity, accountability, and even the challenges of social media and emerging technologies, the conversation shows how the Code is both a safeguard and an empowering framework for professionals. Listeners will hear practical examples of the Code in action — from medication safety to advocating for patients and supporting colleagues — and learn why familiarity with it is essential at every stage of a nursing or midwifery career. Whether you’re a student, a newly qualified nurse, a seasoned midwife, or working in leadership or regulation, this episode offers an engaging introduction to the Code as a living document — one that protects patients, strengthens trust, and supports the profession in a rapidly changing healthcare landscape. THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT Why Lorraine first chose nursing — and how the Code shaped her earliest experiences as a student. How the Code works as a daily “moral compass” for nurses and midwives in every setting. Practical examples of the Code in action: from medication safety to cultural sensitivity and palliative care. Why accountability, competence, respect, trust, and leadership are at the heart of professional practice. How the updated Code addresses modern challenges like social media, human rights, AI and sustainability. The importance of making the Code a “living document” through conversations, training, and peer support. Why compliance with the Code protects both patients and the integrity of the nursing and midwifery profession. GUEST DETAILS Lorraine Clarke Bishop currently serves as the Interim Director of Education, Policy, and Standards. She is a registered general nurse, having trained at the Eastern Area College of Nursing (Southside) in Belfast. Lorraine has over 30 years of experience in nursing across various healthcare settings in Ireland, the United States of America and Saudi Arabia, both in the public and private sectors. Her career encompasses significant front-line and leadership roles. Prior to employment within NMBI, Lorraine held the role of Clinical Placement Co-ordinator and was a part-time lecturer/teacher, with over 19 years of experience in nurse education. She holds a Master's degree in Healthcare Ethics and Law and a professional certificate in Governance. Lorraine was an elected member of the NMBI Board in 2015, where she chaired both the Education, Training and Standards Committee and the Fitness to Practise Committee until taking up the role of Professional Officer in the Education, Policy and Standards Department in June 2021. Lorraine played a pivotal role in developing the first regulatory framework aimed at ensuring consistency in the implementation of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) across educational bodies providing graduate nursing programmes in Ireland. Most recently, she oversaw the revision of the Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics for Registered Nurses and Registered Midwives, incorporating the Scope of Practice and Professional Guidance (2024). As the Interim Director, Lorraine leads a dynamic and responsive team committed to the ongoing transformation of undergraduate nurse education, working closely with educational bodies and stakeholders across both clinical and academic settings. MORE INFORMATION NMBI is the statutory body which sets the standards for the education, registration and professional conduct of nurses and midwives. We advise on how nurses and midwives should provide care to patients, their families and society. Our mission is to protect the public and the integrity of the professions of nursing and midwifery through the promotion of high standards of education, training, and professional conduct. We achieve this by providing leadership to registered nurses and midwives to support them to deliver safe care through innovative and proactive professional regulation. Our functions in safeguarding the public involve establishing and maintaining the Register of Nurses and Midwives. We also establish procedures and criteria for the assessment and registration of nurses and midwives. Visit the Registration section of our website to learn more. Additionally, we set the standards and requirements for nursing and midwifery education programmes. We approve education programmes and further education programmes for the purposes for nurses and midwives. Visit NMBI.ie to learn more. QUOTES The Code isn’t just about on the days when everything goes right — it’s to be your moral compass when you are really challenged. – Lorraine Clarke Bishop Everything we do in healthcare is about safety and putting the patient at the centre of it. – Lorraine Clarke Bishop Not being familiar with the Code is not a defence — it’s our responsibility as professionals to know it. – Lorraine Clarke Bishop The Code shouldn’t restrict you; it should empower you. It’s an enabling framework. – Lorraine Clarke Bishop Read the Code, have the conversations, and make it real in your daily practice. – Lorraine Clarke Bishop KEYWORDS #NMBIVoice #Nursing #Midwifery #CodeOfConduct #PatientSafety #ProfessionalPractice #HealthcareEthics #Accountability #Trust #Leadership #NMBI
#1
Sep 4, 2025 · 1 min
Trailer
The brand new NMBI Voice podcast covers the key changes and challenges facing our profession today. Whether you're dealing with new regulations, maintaining your professional development, or navigating ethical decisions in your daily practice, NMBI Voice breaks down complex topics into practical guidance you can use. You'll hear from NMBI experts and colleagues who understand the realities of our work environment, offering clear explanations of what new policies mean for your practice and career. New episodes air on the first Monday of every month, giving you the information you need to maintain excellent standards while focusing on what matters most – caring for your patients. Click "Follow" now so you get the first episodes when they launch this September.

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