Nursing - Midwifery

Your Course
The 18-month Higher Diploma in Midwifery is for registered general nurses who wish to pursue a career in midwifery. The programme builds on students' prior professional, academic and personal experiences. Following successful completion of the programme, students are competent to fulfil the role of the midwife as outlined by the International Confederation of Midwives and are eligible to apply to register as a midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).

Modules: Anatomy and Physiology applied to Midwifery, Midwifery Care 1 & 2, Care of the Well Neonate, Research for Midwifery, Midwifery Practice 1 & 2, Woman with Complications in Childbirth 1 & 2, The Neonate Requiring Specialised Care, Elective Practice Placement for Midwifery, Psychology and Sociology for Midwifery.

Minimum Entry Requirements
Applicants must be registered on the General Division of the Register of Nurses maintained by the NMBI (Registered General Nurse). A minimum of six months' general nursing post registration experience is required. Students must meet the normal minimal educational requirements for admission.

GARDA VETTING/POLICE CLEARANCE: Garda vetting/ police clearance is required for this programme.

WHEN TO APPLY: Applications can be made via the PAC site, www.pac.ie, to the HSE, approximately six months in advance of the start date. The start date alternates between March and September every 18 months.

18 months, full-time.

Career Opportunities
There are career opportunities for midwives to work in various practice settings including hospitals, midwife-led care units, clinics or the community, across different models of care. There are also opportunities to specialise in areas within clinical practice, or to focus more on education or research related to midwifery. For midwives who wish to work in another EU state, they must undertake a year of clinical midwifery practice in Ireland before they can register with any other EU Member State and practice in that country.