NMBI Voice

The path to becoming a registered nurse is often viewed as a singular, rigid track, ignoring the reality of modern, diverse educational routes and the vital need for clinical-academic integration. 

We explore the student experience firsthand, examining how bridging theoretical knowledge with hands-on ward practice fosters patient-centred care. 

We are joined by Dr. Mary Ryder, Associate Professor in General Nursing at the UCD School of Nursing, who shares her expertise in curriculum development, and Brian Rusk, a nursing student at UCD, who offers a firsthand perspective on navigating the current landscape of nursing education.

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

Evolution of nursing training from apprenticeship to university degrees.
Benefits of bringing diverse life experience into nursing education.
Navigating work-life balance and finances as a mature student.
Importance of questioning the rationale behind routine clinical tasks.
Overcoming personal and academic barriers to pursue a nursing career.

GUESTS DETAILS

Dr. Mary Ryder is an Associate Professor in General Nursing at the UCD School of Nursing and a former leader of national research into the undergraduate curriculum. 

Her expertise bridges the gap between clinical practice and academic rigour, with a specific research focus on cardiovascular health and heart failure. 

Brian Rusk is a general nursing student at UCD, bringing a wealth of experience as a former healthcare assistant and emergency medical technician to his current studies.
 
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

Don't go in with an impression of what nursing is. Nursing will surprise you of what it can be, and it's constantly evolving. - Mary Ryder

Everything over the last nearly two decades has brought me into nursing. - Brian Rusk

The standards you walk past are the standards you keep. Be nice. - Mary Ryder

Get a foundation, get a feel for the wards, and keep pushing. - Brian Rusk

KEYWORDS: 

#NursingStudentExperience#NursingCareerPaths#IrishNursingEducation#ClinicalPlacementAdvice

Healthcare professionals across Ireland maintain regulatory compliance whilst managing intensive clinical workloads on a daily basis. Managing professional registration should not feel like an administrative burden that takes away from hands-on patient care. 

This discussion explores the newly updated Professional Competence Scheme and reveals how recent pilot insights have prompted regulators to drastically simplify the recording and reflection process for frontline staff.

Host Kathyann Barrett invites Mary Devane, Professional Officer and scheme lead at the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland, alongside St Francis Hospice colleagues Mairead MacDonagh and Rachelle Reyes, to share their first-hand experiences of leading the pilot and preparing for the upcoming nationwide rollout.

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

Introducing the regulatory goals of the professional competence scheme.
Clinical experiences in specialised palliative care at St Francis Hospice.
Staff feedback regarding initial documentation and technology hurdles.
Key updates simplifying the CPD reflection and logging process.
Planning for the upcoming nationwide rollout starting in January.

GUESTS DETAILS

Mary Devane serves as the Professional Officer and Professional Competence Scheme Lead at the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland. She focuses on regulatory leadership and ensures the scheme maintains the highest standards of professional conduct across the nursing and midwifery register.

Mairead MacDonagh works as a Practice Development Nurse at St Francis Hospice Dublin. She provides extensive expertise in hospice education, clinical nursing regulation, and professional development training for hospice staff.

Rachelle Reyes is a Clinical Nurse Manager at St Francis Hospice Dublin. She manages the inpatient unit and contributes deep clinical experience to the team, focusing on palliative care delivery and nursing leadership.

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

PCS is the Professional Confidence Scheme, it's set up really to protect the public. Mary T.
Devane

I kind of said to people, you're already doing this. It's just going to be that you just have to fill in the form. It's not like a thing that you'd be there for ages.. - Mairead MacDonagh

There's a lot of opportunities for the staff nurses here in St. Francis Hospice to actually get their points up." - Rachelle Reyes

KEYWORDS: 

#ProfessionalCompetenceScheme#Pilot#CPDHoursRegistration#NursingAndMidwiferyBoard

Career longevity in nursing requires more than clinical skill. It demands a strategic approach to professional growth and disciplined network building. Nurses often find themselves isolated when moving into promotional posts. This creates a critical gap between administrative strategy and patient care.

We explore five decades of nursing evolution, discussing how to maintain leadership effectiveness while staying connected to patient care. We examine the shift from institutional mental health models to community-based care and the vital importance of lifelong learning.

Paul Gallagher, former Regional Director of Nursing for the Dublin and South East region, joins his father, Fionn Gallagher, a veteran mental health nurse. They share hard-won lessons from their combined half-century of experience shaping the Irish nursing profession.

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

Evolution of Irish psychiatric nursing since the 1950s.
Transitioning from institutional care to community-based models.
Importance of maintaining patient connection while in leadership.
Building personal and professional safety networks for career support.
Leveraging lifelong learning and AI tools for nursing future.

GUESTS DETAILS

Paul Gallagher is a recently retired Regional Director of Nursing and Midwifery for the Dublin and South East region. He has served in leadership roles across major Irish hospitals, including St. James's and Beaumont. 

Fionn Gallagher is a retired psychiatric nurse who helped shape mental health services following the 1945 Mental Treatment Act. Both have dedicated their careers to Irish healthcare development and professional standards. 
 
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

If in doubt, shout, look for help. Don't feel you're on your own. - Paul Gallagher

I think nursing is here to stay and has a major part to play in the development of any mental health service. - Fionn Gallagher

I created a network of safety to support me in that role, including going to dad for advice. - Paul Gallagher

Always say, well, what's your next plan? Because in this day and age, you probably need to be developing and demonstrating that. - Paul Gallagher

KEYWORDS

#IrishNursingCareer#Leadership#NursingProfessionalNetwork#HealthcareCareerGrowth#MentalHealthNursingEvolution

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

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 

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

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

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:[email protected]

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

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

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