Nursing Overview – Irish Nursing Registration

Irish Nursing Registration – A General Overview

One of the joys of being a nurse is that we can use our job to travel anywhere in the world. In order for us to practice overseas though, we need to be registered with the Nursing Board of that particular country. You’ll find that overseas registration can be a lengthy process. But we’re here to help! Over the next two weeks we’ll be breaking down the Irish registration process in detail. But to start with, below is a basic overview of the process & what you need to know before you start applying.

What to know before you apply

The nursing boards need to adequately assess if you are qualified enough to practice in their country and ensure the safety of their patients. Before applying for registration you should:

• Plan for a minimum of 6 months  for the registration to be complete. This does not include the work permit/visa process  which can be an additional 3-6 months. 
• You will need to secure your nursing registration before  you can apply for a job in Ireland. This means you will need to pay the registration application fee to NMBI before knowing you have a job secured.
• CCM can assist you in securing nursing employment in Ireland however nursing registration must be obtained first before applying for a job.
• Most of the hospitals, where CCM have positions available, will reimburse various costs of the registration process. Remember to keep receipts of all payments.

 Who is the Nursing Authority in Ireland?

The Nursing authority in Ireland is the NMBI – Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland. Any nurse or midwife wishing to practice in Ireland must be registered and approved by NMBI , similar to AHPRA for Australia or NZNC for New Zealand.

What is the structure of the NMBI?

The NMBI has ten divisions.  The division you are allocated is a reflection of how your undergraduate university course was structured. Because of the way universities courses in Australia and New Zealand are structured, the majority of applicants will fall under the General Division or Midwifery Division.  We’ll be going into more detail on this in our next blog.

Who is eligible to apply for registration?

To be eligible to apply for nursing registration you must:

• Hold a  valid nursing license/registration, without restrictions, in the country in which you qualified or are currently practising in.
• Have a minimum of 12 months current Registered Nurse/Midwifery experience within the last 5 years.
• Meet the English Language requirements. 

How do I know if I’ve met the English Language Requirements?

You  WILL NOT need to take an English Competence Exam if:

• Your nursing or midwifery qualification was completed in a recognised English speaking country 
• For at least 3 years  out of the last 5 years, you have practised in an recognised English speaking country 

If you do not meet the above criteria, you WILL be required to take an English competence exam. This can be done through the International English Language Test System (IELTS) or the Occupational English Test (OET). 

What is the application process?

The Application Process is a 5 step process. Over the next two weeks we’ll go through this in detail but for now in a nutshell:

• Step 1: Apply for the Overseas Registration Pack
• Step 2: Receive said pack – approximately 1-2 weeks. 
• Step 3: Complete relevant forms – approximately 1 month. 

This involves you gathering evidence of your education, current registration and employment, to show the NMBI you meet the requirements of a Registered Nurse/Midwife. Your university, current nursing board and employer/s will also need to submit evidence to support this.

• Step 4: Assessment – approximately 90 days.

The NMBI will assess and evaluate all the evidence submitted

• Step 5: Decision Letter 

Once assessment has been completed you will receive your Decision Letter with your outcome. This will be either:

• Full eligibility and successful registration
• Partial Eligibility – the applicant will need to sit a subsequent practical exam (Aptitude Test – RCSI)  or a clinical assessment/placement (Adaptation)
• Further information required
• Refused Entry – does not meet the requirements

Australian and New Zealand applicants will mostly fall into one of the first two categories. For those who need to take a subsequent practical exam – we will be going into further detail on this in our subsequent blogs.

The above timelines are a guide only. In our experience you will need to plan for a minimum of 6 months for the registration and an additional 3-6 months  for the work permit/visa application process.  

What are the costs involved?

Overseas registration applications can be expensive, so it’s important to do your research before-hand and make sure this is the country you wish to practice in. Should you gain subsequent employment through CCM Recruitment, the majority of hospitals we work with will provide financial assistance, or reimburse various costs of the registration process.

The below is subject to exchange rates as off 22/4/2020. For up to date exchange rates please visit https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/

For further detailing on costs please visit the NMBI website or contact CCM Recruitment directly.

When can I start applying for jobs?

You can start applying for jobs when you have received your decision letter  from the NMBI. Having said this, some hospitals will accept applications during the assessment phase of your registration application, which can aid in speeding up the timelines of your relocation to Ireland.

Over the next two weeks we will be going into further details on each of the registration steps. For any specific questions contact us at info@ccmrecruitment.com.au

Further resources:

https://www.nmbi.ie/Registration/Trained-outside-Ireland

https://www.nmbi.ie/Registration/the-Register-and-Divisions

https://www.nmbi.ie/Registration/Trained-outside-Ireland/Application-Process