Nursing - Nursing / Midwife Prescribing

Course Overview

This course aims to equip nurses and midwives with the knowledge, skills and competence to prescribe medicinal products safely and effectively.



Is This Course For Me?

This course is for registered nurses and midwives who have clinical practice experience. Participants apply for a place on this course must be supported by a host Health Service Provider and a medical supervisor. The Certificate in Nurse/Midwife Prescribing will be a minor award at level 8 as set out by the National Framework of Qualifications.



Course Structure

The Certificate in Nurse/Midwife Prescribing of Medicinal Products is a one-year part-time course, The course normally commences with a full week in September and thereafter generally one to two days per week for the remainder of the academic year in addition to 96 hours of prescribing practice.



A blended learning approach is used to deliver theoretical content which includes lectures, group discussions and self-directed learning/online learning. The assessment process is a combination of written and practical assignments, including an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). Students undertaking the Certificate in Prescribing Medicinal Products are required to undertake a minimum of 96 hourse of clinical prescribing practice. The clinical component must take place under the supervision of a medical clinician.

Students of the Certificate in Nurse/Midwife Prescribing of Medicinal Products take the following modules: Developing the Professional Role; Health Physical Assessment; and Prescribing Medicinal Products.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must posses:

• An NFQ Level-8 qualification, either a higher diploma or Honours undergraduate degree, in Nursing or a related discipline. Additionally, they must also be able to demonstrate evidence of further post-registration education.

• Registration with the General, Psychiatric, Children’s, Intellectual Disability, Midwifery or Public Health Nurse divisions of the active register maintained by The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland and have a minimum of three years post-registration clinical experience during the last five years (with at least one year full-time experience in the specific area of practice).

• Employment in a clinical area within Ireland approved by the course team and satisfying The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland standards.

• A written commitment from a host organisation supporting the applicant for the clinical practicum, as well as written confirmation from a medical practitioner who has agreed to act as a mentor for the required term of supervised practice.



Applicants will be required to undergo Garda Vetting, to learn more please visit: https://www.tcd.ie/students/orientation/postgraduates/garda-vetting.php



All applicants to Trinity are required to provide official evidence of proficiency in the English language. Applicants to this course are required to meet Band B (Standard Entry) English language requirements.

Closing Date: 9th July 2025

The course will be assessed using a variety of assessment methods, including examination, written assignment, Observed Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) and a clinical portfolio which includes the completion of three independent Objective Structured long Examination Records and a case presentation.

1 year part-time

Next Intake: September 2025

Career Opportunities

Upon successful completion of this course, the graduate will be eligible to apply to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) for registration as a Registered Nurse or a Registered Midwife Prescriber (RNP or RMP).