Nursing: Advanced Practice Midwifery

Course Overview

The aims of the Master of Science in Midwifery (Advanced Practice Midwifery) programme are to enable experienced registered midwives to develop an expert knowledge base, complex decision-making skills, and clinical competencies for an expanded autonomous scope of practice. The finite characteristics are shaped by the: context in which the individual practices; the needs of women and people; and the challenges and developments within the health services.



The programme is designed to prepare the students as advanced autonomous practitioners, who are clinically competent and skilled in the delivery of high quality direct care to specific women/client group. In particular, the Advanced Midwife Practitioner will promote wellness, offer healthcare interventions and advocate healthy lifestyle choices for women/people, their families and carers in a wide variety of settings in collaboration with other healthcare professionals, according to agreed scope of practice guidelines.



The programme further aims to support the students to expand their role as autonomous members of the multidisciplinary healthcare team within the healthcare organisation and professional leaders in their field of specialist practice. The graduates, equipped with such knowledge and advanced skills will be eligible to apply to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) for registration as a Registered Advanced Midwife Practitioner (RAMP).



This broad based 2 year MSc includes modules pertaining to nurse and midwife prescribing, research, advanced practice and management. In addition, there are 2 clinical competency assessment modules – 96 hours pertaining to prescribing and 500 hours to advanced practice clinical mentorship.

Year 1 (40 Credits)

Required Modules

NU6610: Decision Making and Advanced Practice Professional Roles - 10 Credits

NU6507: Leadership, Quality Improvement and Governance - 10 Credits

NU6520: Leadership, Quality Improvement and Governance - 10 Credits

NU6521: Advanced Research Methods - 10 Credits

NU502: Advanced Research Methods - 10 Credits

NU6312: Advanced Health Assessment - 10 Credits



Year 2 (70 Credits)

RequiredNU010.I: Professional, Ethical & Legal Issues of Nurse and Midwife Prescribing) - 10 Credits

NU1191: Pharmacology, Health and Medicinal Prescribing - 10 Credits

NU6522: Research Dissertation - 30 Credits

NU6515: Research Dissertation - 30 Credits

NU6506: Clinical Practicum - 20 Credits



Curriculum Information

Curriculum information relates to the current academic year (in most cases).

Course and module offerings and details may be subject to change.



Please see Course Web Page above for module details.

Please note to be eligible to apply you need to:

1. Be registered as a midwife on the register of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI);

2. Have a minimum of an honours primary degree in Midwifery or equivalent

3. Be currently employed as a nurse or midwife and in the areas of practice that you plan to undertake your Advance Practice Programme

4. Have support of both a Professional (DOM/N, ADOM/N/Practice Manager) and Clinical (medical consultant or general practitioner) Mentor for 500 hours of clinical mentorship, evidenced by a completed Site Declaration Form



5. Written commitment/memo of understanding or equivalent from the Director of Midwifery to support the student during the clinical practicum and to nominate a suitably qualified practitioner to act as a clinical supervisor during the student's clinical learning experience



6. Comply with current minimum entry requirements for admission to the programme of education for midwife prescribing. This includes:

• Have a minimum of three years’ recent post-registration clinical experience in nursing or midwifery (within the last five years)

• Have equivalent of ‘one year’ full time experience in the specific area of clinical practice that you will beprescribing and practicing in

• Possess the competencies recognised at Level 8 of the National Framework of Qualifications;

• Provide evidence of having undertaken continuing professional education;

• Have support of both a Professional (DOM/N, ADOM/N/Practice Manager) and Clinical (medical consultant or general practitioner) Mentor for 96 hours of clinical mentorship, evidenced by a completed Site Declaration Form.

Closing Date: No set closing date. Offers are made on a continuous basis.



Applications must be completed online at: https://nuigalway.elluciancrmrecruit.com/Apply/Account/Login.



An application requires a registration fee of €35. You will be asked to upload proof of identification, academic transcripts, a personal statement, an academic reference and documentation to fulfil the English requirement (where English is not your first language).

2 years-part-time

Next start date: September 2025

Career Opportunities

Students who successfully complete this programme are eligible to apply to the Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) for register as an Advanced Midwife Practitioner (RAMP).