Nursing - Advanced Practice Midwifery

The aims of the Postgraduate Diploma (Advanced Midwifery Practice) programme are to enable experienced registered midwives, who have a related MSc in midwifery/nursing, to develop an expert knowledge base, complex decision-making skills, and clinical competencies for an advanced autonomous scope of practice. The finite characteristics are shaped by the: context in which the individual practices; the needs of women/people/clients; and the challenges and developments within the health services.





The programme is designed to prepare the students as advanced autonomous practitioners, who are clinically competent and skilled in the delivery of high quality direct care to a specific women /client group. In particular, the Advanced Midwifery Practitioner will promote wellness, offer healthcare interventions and advocate healthy lifestyle choices for women/people, their families and carers in a wide variety of settings in collaboration with other healthcare professionals, according to agreed scope of practice guidelines.



The programme further aims to support the students to expand their role as autonomous members of the multidisciplinary healthcare team within the healthcare organisation and professional leaders in their field of specialist practice. The graduates, equipped with such knowledge and advanced skills will be eligible to apply to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) for registration as a Registered Advanced Midwife Practitioner (RAMP).



This broad based 1 year post graduate programme for students who already have a Masters in Midwifery/Nursing related to the advanced midwife clinical practice area.



The diploma includes modules pertaining to nurse/midwife prescribing, research and the advanced practice role. In addition, there are 2 clinical competency assessment modules – 96 hours pertaining to prescribing and 500 hours of advanced practice clinical mentorship.

Year 1 (60 Credits)

RequiredNU6506: Clinical Practicum

RequiredNU6610: Decision Making and Advanced Practice Professional Roles

RequiredNU6311: Advanced Health Assessment

RequiredNU012.II: Competency Assessment

RequiredNU010.II: Professional, Ethical & Legal Issues of Nurse and Midwife Prescribing)

RequiredNU2192: Pharmacology, Health and Medicinal Prescribing

OptionalNU6506: Clinical Practicum

Be registered as a midwife on the register of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).



Have a minimum of an honour’s primary degree in Midwifery or equivalent.



Be currently employed as a midwife or Nurse and in the areas of practice that you plan to undertake you Advance Practice Programme.



Applicants must have the support of both a professional mentor (such as a Director of Midwifery/Nursing, Assistant Director of Midwifery/Nursing, or Practice Manager) and a clinical mentor (such as a medical consultant, general practitioner). This includes a commitment to provide 500 hours of clinical mentorship and 96 hours of prescribing mentorship, as confirmed on the completed *Site Declaration Form.



Comply with current minimum entry requirements for admission to the programme of education for nurse prescribing. This includes:



Have a minimum of three years’ recent post-registration clinical experience in nursing or midwifery (within the last five years) 



Have equivalent of ‘one year’ full time experience in the specific area of clinical practice that you will be prescribing and practicing in



Possess the competencies recognised at Level 8 of the National Framework of Qualifications.



Provide evidence of having undertaken continuing professional education.



*The completed Site Declaration Form provides confirmation by the professional and clinical mentor who will provide supervision, support and learning opportunities, including shadowing opportunities to gain the required competencies and clinical competence to practice at an advanced level.

1 year Part Time

Next start date September 2026



Closing Date: No set closing date. Offers are made on a continuous basis.

The advanced midwife practitioner (AMP) role is highly respected role in both the Health Service Executive (HSE) and private healthcare settings. These roles are expanding in response to healthcare system needs. Registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) as a Registered Advanced Midwifery Practitioner (RAMP) provides national recognition, improving mobility across healthcare settings and regions. The advanced midwife practitioner role typically offers a competitive salary in comparison to other clinical midwifery roles.



AMPs are employed in a variety of specialist areas, including:



Promotion of the normality in Midwifery care

Birth after Caesarean Section/BAC Clinics

Diabetes

Specialist areas such as Urology

Women’s health and gynaecology

With national recognition through RAMP registration, graduates also gain access to:



Policy and advisory roles in healthcare organisations

Multidisciplinary leadership positions

International career opportunities in advanced practice



Graduates of the Master of Science in Midwifery (Advanced Practice Midwifery) are well-positioned for a wide range of advanced roles within the healthcare system. Advanced Practitioners have the potential to become leaders in clinical practice, education, and research.