Return to Nursing and Midwifery Practice Programme

The purpose of the Return to Nursing and Midwifery Practice Programme is to provide nurses and midwives who wish to return to nursing and midwifery practice following an absence of 5 years or more, with the opportunity to update their knowledge and clinical skills.

Who can apply?

Applications for The Return to Practice Programme will be accepted from nurses/midwives registered in any of the following disciplines.

General Nursing
Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing
Intellectual Disability Nursing
Midwifery
Children’s Nursing

You can apply for a place on the Return to Practice Programme if:

it has been 5 or more years since you practiced as a nurse or midwife
you are on the active register or are eligible to apply to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI)

Competency Assessment Tools

Competence Assessment Tools are in place for nurses and midwives. They provide:

registered nurses and midwives in Irish health care facilities which are involved in the provision of an adaptation and assessment programme with guidance and information and the assessment framework
detailed information to applicants from overseas undergoing a period of adaptation and assessment

The Domains of Competence Assessment are:

Domain 1. Professional values and conduct of the nurse competencies
Domain 2: Nursing practice and clinical decision making competencies
Domain 3: Knowledge and cognitive competencies
Domain 4: Communication and inter-personal competencies
Domain 5: Management and team competencies
Domain 6: Leadership and professional scholarship competencies

Important Vetting Information

Garda Vetting will be processed by the hospital/service where you will be on clinical placement.
International Police Clearance is also required before you commence the programme. If you have worked in a country/countries outside of Ireland for a period of 6 months or more, you will need to provide evidence of police clearance from each country. Please start this process now to ensure that you fulfil programme entry criteria on time. Any costs/fees for international clearance are your responsibility. You will not be eligible to undertake the RTN/MP programme without this clearance.
Further information on Overseas Garda Vetting:
Overseas Garda Vetting (PDF, size 193.4 KB, 1 page)

Find a Return to Practice Programme

The application process is now open. In order to apply for a programme, please complete an expression of interest to returntopractice@hse.ie on or before Friday 14th of February.

RTNMP Application Form 2025 (Word, size 105.1 KB, 7 pages)

*Please note that incomplete application forms will be returned and not accepted*