There are many different ways that you can develop your career as a nurse or midwife.
These include the:
Clinical pathway
The clinical pathway offers you the opportunity to work in a wide and varied range of nursing and midwifery roles. The emphasis is on providing direct patient care. It can lead to careers in specialist or advanced practice.
You can explore extension and development of your competence. Contact your local Nurse/Midwife Practice Development Coordinator to discuss this.
You can also expand your role through continuing professional development (CPD).
To find out more about pursuing a career in a specialist or advanced practice role select each pathway:
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Management pathway
Nurse and midwife managers help patients by managing the staff who care for them. This pathway can lead to roles in managing services or operations.
The nurse or midwife manager role involves:
- planning and decision making
- taking charge and leading
- supporting and motivating staff
- being a role model
There are structured management career pathways for nursing and midwifery. This can lead to roles as clinical nurse or midwife managers, assistant directors or directors of nursing or midwifery.
Skills and qualifications required
The professional qualifications and experience requirements on the HSE website can be used as a guide. These may change from time to time. You will need to refer to specific job descriptions for an overview of the role and other post details. Individual services may also have extra post specific requirements.
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Resources
National Clinical Leadership Centre
The National Clinical Leadership Centre (NCLC) helps to build the leadership capacity and capabilities of nurses and midwives.
The Health Service Leadership Academy is a resource for everyone working in healthcare who is interested in leadership. The aim of the Leadership Academy is to develop leadership across the health service.
Talk to your NMPDU or CNMEs/CLDs for more information on management and leadership programmes.
Education pathway
The education pathway can lead to a career in education as nurse or midwife tutor within both educational and clinical settings.
Education pathway options for nurses/midwives:
- Nurse or midwife tutor
- Specialist co-ordinator
- Clinical facilitator
- Clinical placement co-ordinator
- Practice development co-ordinator
- Director Centre of Nurse and Midwifery Education (CNME)
- Director of Centre of Learning and Development (CLD)
Skills and qualifications required
The professional qualifications and experience requirements on the HSE website can be used as a guide. These may change from time to time. You will need to refer to specific job descriptions for an overview of the role and other post details. Individual services may also have extra post specific requirements.
Related topic
Research pathway
Nurses and midwives who work in the research field can use knowledge and innovation to impact on evidence based knowledge.
Research career options
There are various opportunities for all grades of nurses and midwives.
If you are interested in conducting research, the first step is to talk to your line manager and complete your professional development plan.
Resources
Contact your local NMPDU or CNME/CLD for advice and support.
The Health Research Board provides grants for research.