Who is this course for?  

This programme is suitable for qualified nurse or midwives who have a level 8 academic attainment and who have an interest in being registered as a prescriber of medicinal products.  

What are the Eligibility Criteria? 

To be eligible to apply you need to be: 

• Be registered as a nurse or midwife on the register of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) (please include CV with this detail);
• Be currently employed as a nurse or midwife (please include CV with this detail);
• Have a minimum of three years’ recent post-registration clinical experience in nursing or midwifery (within the last five years), with the equivalent of one-year full-time experience in the specific area of practice in which prescribing is proposed (please include CV with this detail);
• Possess the competencies recognised at Level 8 of the National Framework of Qualifications (please include CV with this detail);
• Provide evidence of having undertaken continuing professional education;
• Have support of both a Professional (DON, ADON/Practice Manager) and Clinical (medical consultant or general practicitioner) Mentor for 96 hours of clinical mentorship, evidenced by a completed Site Declaration Form
• Completed Site Declaration form to include:
  • Clearly printed names and signatures of your Professional and Clinical Mentors that have agreed to support your application and will be in position for the duration of your programme
  • You contact details - that you access frequently
  • Your current role
  • You highest level of education
  • Clearly stated if HSE or Non-HSE staff member
  • Signed statement by director or manager the length of time that you are in your current role and that you will remain in this role for the duration of the course
  • Sign off of funding 

What will I study?  

This programme comprises four mandatory modules: 

• Advanced Health Assessment - Level 9 
• Professional, Ethical & Legal Issues of Nurse and Midwife Prescribing - Level 8 
• Pharmacology, Health and Medicinal Prescribing - Level 8 
• Prescribing Competency Assessment - Level 8 

Curriculum Information

• Professional registration: Accredited and enables professional registration with NMBI as Nurse/Midwife Prescriber with NMBI. 
• International recognition: The qualification is internationally recognised, but may require additional learning  and accreditation for applicability to local legal, professional and ethical requirements. 
• Dual Support Model: Comprehensive academic and clinical support ensures a strong foundation for applying advanced knowledge and skills in real-world healthcare settings. 
• Range of modules: Includes modules in advanced health assessment, pharmacology, the professional, ethical and legal issues on prescribing medicinal products and supervised clinical hours. 
• Leader in patient care:  Learn the knowledge and skills to assess, diagnose and treat patients within their clinical setting. 
• Strengthen problem-solving abilities: Learn to approach medical and professional challenges critically, using both theoretical and practical perspectives. 
• Develop professional expertise: Hone the skills required to prescribe safely and effectively within your speciality. 
• Enhance Communication Skills: Enhance communication skills with clients, their family/friends/carers, peers and multidisciplinary teams. 

Nurses and/or Midwives registered as nurse/midwives’ prescribers are highly sought after in both the Health Service Executive (HSE), public service bodies and private healthcare settings. Opportunities with these roles are increasing with the demand for enhanced nurse/midwives’ roles, increased population and healthcare system needs in all areas and disciplines of healthcare service provision. 

Successful completion of Certificate of Nurse/Midwife Prescribing are well-positioned for a wide range of enhanced roles within the healthcare system. Many go on to become leaders in clinical practice, education, and research, undertake further education such as Masters in specific healthcare specialities or undertake master’s in advanced Nurse/Midwife Practitioners, for which modules undertaken with the Certificate in Nurse/Midwife Prescribing programme can be exempted. 

Onsite Clinical placement  

In line with the NMBI standards and requirements (2019) and therefore embedded into the eligibility criteria (see above), applicants are required to be working in the clinical service area for a minimum of 12 months in which they plan to undertake the Certificate in Nurse/Midwife Prescribing Programme.  

Additionally, as part of the programme requirements applicants will have to complete 96 supervised clinical hours with their designated clinical mentor. This clinical component plays a critical role in enabling students to become safe, competent and confident nurse/midwife prescribers through clinical mentorship in a real-world settings. 

Accrediting Body 

This programme meets the national standards (NMBI 20197) and is approved by NMBI. Following successfully completion of this programme, graduates are eligible to register with NMBI as a Nurse/Midwife Prescriber of Medicinal Products.

How will I learn?   

The Certificate in Nurse/Midwife Prescribing Programme combines innovative teaching methods with practical, hands-on learning to ensure a comprehensive educational experience. You will learn through a mix of interactive lectures, seminars and workshops led by faculty and external experts. 

Throughout the programme, you will have access to University of Galway Library and SoNM Education Platform – Cavas, providing online learning units in addition to reference to relevant literature. Ongoing updates to pertinent seminars and learning opportunities will be provided.

How Will I Be Assessed? 

Your progress and learning achievement are assessed through continuous assessments. The format includes MCQs, Case Studies, OSCEs, presentations and written assignments. Pass mark for all modules is 50%. All components of all modules have to be passed.  

Course queries: 
Kay.harvey@universityofgalway.ie 

collette.kirwan@universityofgalway.ie 

Programme Director(s):  

Dr Collette Kirwan, 
Programme Director/Lecturer  
School of Nursing and Midwifery 
E: collette.kirwan@universityofgalway.ie 

University of Galway recognises that knowledge and skills can be acquired from a range of learning experiences. This is in line with the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) goals which aim to recognise all learning achievements by supporting the development of alternative pathways to qualifications (or awards) and by facilitating the recognition of prior learning (RPL). 

A RPL can be awarded for one module from this programme with evidence of having completed a comparable module in a recognised college eg provision of a transcript and full course syllabus with grade weighting and ECTS credits. Approval from module lead, programme director and the Students Affairs Committee is required for RPL approval.

Minimum Entry Requirements

Please note to be eligible to apply you need to be: 

• Be registered as a nurse or midwife on the register of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) (please include CV with this detail); 
• Be currently employed as a nurse or midwife (please include CV with this detail); 
• Have a minimum of three years’ recent post-registration clinical experience in nursing or midwifery (within the last five years), with the equivalent of one-year full-time experience in the specific area of practice in which prescribing is proposed (please include CV with this detail); 
• Possess the competencies recognised at Level 8 of the National Framework of Qualifications (please include CV with this detail); 
• Provide evidence of having undertaken continuing professional education; 
• Have support of both a Professional (DON, ADON/Practice Manager) and Clinical (medical consultant or general practitioner) Mentor for 96 hours of clinical mentorship, evidenced by a completed Site Declaration Form 
• Completed Site Declaration form to include: 
  • Clearly printed names and signatures of your Professional and Clinical Mentors and Link Co-Ordinator’s that have agreed to support your application and will be in position for the duration of your programme 
  • You contact details - that you access frequently 
  • Your discipline 
  • Your current role 
  • You highest level of education 
  • Clearly stated if HSE or Non-HSE staff member 

Academic entry requirements standardised per country are available here.  

English Language Entry Requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, an English language proficiency of IELTS score of 6.5 is required (with no less than 6.5 in Writing and no less than 6.0 in any other band) or equivalent.  

More information on English language test equivalency are available here.  

Supporting Documents 

You will be required to provide the following supporting documentation:   

• Updated CV stating clearly current and previous roles, discipline and level of education and CPD certifications 
• Copies of all post-graduation education (including CPD) certification (preferably transcripts where feasible)  
• Completed Site Declaration with necessary signatures 
• Copy of current NMBI registration  

 in addition to routine university requirements – check here. 

You can apply online to the University of Galway application portal here.  

Please review the entry requirements set out in the section above.  

You will be required to upload supporting documentation to your application electronically. See the section above on entry requirements for further information on the supporting documentation required for this course.  

Closing Dates 

For this programme, there is no specific closing date for receipt of applications. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and course quotes will be reviewed continuously throughout the application cycle.  

Notes 

• You will need an active email account to use the website and you'll be guided through the system, step by step, until you complete the online form. 
• Browse the FAQ's section for further guidance.

Fees for Academic Year 2026/27

Funding for a nurse and midwife prescribing programme is available from the HSE (Health Service Executive) for registered nurses and midwives employed by the HSE, HSE-funded agencies, or the Irish Prison Service. Applications must be supported by the employer and submitted through the local Nursing and Midwifery Planning and Development Unit (NMPDU) or the College of Nursing and Midwifery Education (CNME), and the funding must be approved before you apply to the higher education institution.

Eligibility 

For eligibility to this programme, students are required to be registered with the Irish National Nursing & Midwifery Professional body – NMBI, be working in Ireland and in the same clinical setting for a minimum of 12 months prior to starting and for the duration of the programme, have written consent of support from a medical consultant in the clinical area or General Practitioner (GP) and Director of Nursing/Assistant Director of Nursing or Project Manager. While the programme offers a blended approach, there is a requirement for a minimum of 9 days on campus. 

Application Process 

Students applying for full time postgraduate programmes from outside of the European Union (EU), You can apply online to the University of Galway application portal here.  

Our application portal opens on the 1st October each year for entry the following September.   

Further Information 

Please visit the postgraduate admissions webpage for further information on closing dates, documentation requirements, application fees and the application process.