Sponsorship for the student midwife recruitment scheme
Sponsorship is available for registered general nurses who would like to complete a Higher Diploma in Midwifery.
The Higher Diploma in Midwifery is a full time minimum 18 month programme from the date of first registration for the programme. The programme is delivered by the following hospital groups and their academic partners. * These include:
- Saolta Hospital Group (University Hospital Galway) with University of Galway
- South/South West Hospital Group (Cork University Maternity Group) with University College Cork
- UL Hospitals Group (University Maternity Hospital Limerick) with University of Limerick
- RCSI Hospitals Group (Our Lady Of Lourdes Drogheda) with Dundalk Institute of Technology
*Higher Diploma in Midwifery HSE Sponsorship programme is also provided in Dublin in the Coombe Women’s Maternity Hospital and the Rotunda Hospital in partnership with Trinity College Dublin (TCD); National Maternity Hospital, in partnership with University College Dublin (UCD). Please refer to their individual websites for information on eligibility, recruitment and advertisement.
Selected applicants will be offered a minimum 18 month contract of paid employment for the duration of the programme. The college fees for the programme are also paid by the HSE.
Each HSE sponsored student midwife will retain their current point on the staff nurse salary scale on entry into the programme (based on verified nursing service). Students will retain their incremental date and will be granted incremental credit (if applicable) during the programme.
From the start of your training, you will actively participate in giving care appropriate to your level of knowledge and practical experience, with the supervision and direction of a registered midwife. In partnership with women, you will learn how to give professional support and advice.
The working week is that of a full-time member of staff (37.5 hour week). College hours are as assigned with full attendance required.
How to apply
- Applications are now closed for the HSE national campaign to recruit into HSE areas Cork, Drogheda, Galway and Limerick
- The next programme intake is expected September 2025
- For more information on the Higher Diploma in Midwifery programme see Post RGN Higher Diploma in Midwifery Information leaflet June 2023 (PDF, size 3.9 MB, 2 pages)
Who can apply?
You can apply if you meet the following criteria at the time of application:
Be registered in the General Division of the Register of Nurses maintained by The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) or eligible to be so registered.
After you complete the programme
You must work for the sponsoring agency as a midwife for the length of the academic programme undertaken which is 18 months for the Higher Diploma in Midwifery.
If you don’t do this, you may need to repay the sponsorship fees to the sponsoring maternity site and in the case of full time programmes, the value of salary you received during the theory element of the programme.
Contact
Margaret Quigley
National Lead for Midwifery ONMSD
Tel: 087 798 8558