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Guide Information for Nurses/Midwives Applying for NMBI Verification of Category 2 or Equivalent Post-registration Qualifications

Note!

Only apply for the NMBI Verification of Category 2 or Equivalent Post-Registration Qualification if you have a recognised post-registration qualification awarded by a Higher Education Institution (HEI) such as Post Graduate Certificate, Post Graduate Diploma/ Higher Diploma, Master’s Degree that is directly related to your area of nursing/midwifery practice or speciality.

‘Your academic qualification Must Be directly related to your current clinical speciality/area of work as a nurse or a midwife’. 
 

What is Category 2 or Equivalent Post-Registration Qualification?

Category 2 or Equivalent Post-Registration Qualification is a recognised post-registration qualification awarded by a Higher Education Institution (HEI) to a registered nurse or a midwife in Ireland or outside Ireland. The Post-Registration Qualification is also directly related to the area of speciality/practice of a registered nurse or a midwife.
 

What are examples of Category 2 or Equivalent Post-Registration Qualifications?

Examples of Category 2 or Equivalent Post-Registration Qualifications are Post Graduate Certificate (30 ECTS credits), Post Graduate Diploma/Higher Diploma (60 ECTS credits) or Master’s Degree (90 ECTS credits) directly related to the area of speciality/practice of a registered nurse or a midwife.
 

What is NMBI Verification of Category 2 or Equivalent Post-Registration Qualifications?

This is a process where NMBI review and verify post–registration qualifications (Post Graduate Certificate (30 credits), Post Graduate Diploma/Higher Diploma (60 ECTS credits) or Master’s Degree (90 ECTS credits) that are directly related to the area of speciality/practice of a registered nurse or midwife. This post–registration qualifications were obtained in Ireland or outside Ireland and must be awarded by Higher Education Institutions.
 
NMBI determines if the post-registration qualification of a registered nurse or a midwife is equivalent or comparable to Academic Qualifications at Level 8, 9 or 10 of the Irish National Qualification Framework (NFQ). Level 7 academic qualifications do not qualify as category 2 equivalent post registration qualifications.

Note: Stand Alone Modules/Special Purpose Awards are not considered Category 2 equivalent qualifications.
 

Why do nurses or midwives apply for NMBI Verification of Category 2 or Equivalent Post-Registration Qualifications?

A. For registered nurses and midwives who obtained their post-registration qualification outside Ireland - to determine if their post- registration qualification which is directly related to their area of speciality/practice is equivalent or comparable to Academic Qualifications at Level 8, 9 or 10 of the Irish National Qualification Framework (NFQ). 

B. For registered nurses and midwives who obtained their post-registration qualification in Ireland – to confirm that their post-registration qualification which is directly related to their area of speciality/practice is an approved Category 2 programme or it is comparable to Academic Qualifications at Level 8, 9 or 10 of the Irish National Qualification Framework (NFQ). 

C. To apply for a qualification allowance in their workplace
 

What is the qualification allowance?

The qualification allowance is an allowance payable to nurses and midwives in Ireland by the Health Service Executive (HSE) who have a recognised Category 2 or Equivalent Post-Registration Qualification, and who are currently working in a nursing/midwifery speciality or practice that is relevant to their post-registration qualification.

Registered nurses and midwives holding a recognised Category 2 or Equivalent Post-Registration qualification and are working in a related area of practice can apply for qualification allowance. See additional information below:
 
A. Registered nurses are eligible to apply for a qualification allowance if they are employed on duties in specialist areas appropriate to the following qualifications where they hold the relevant qualification (Post Graduate Certificate, Post Graduate Diploma/Higher Diploma, Master’s Degree)

  • Accident and Emergency Nursing Course
  • Anaesthetic Nursing Course
  • Behaviour Modification Course
  • Behavioural Therapy Course
  • Burns Nursing Course
  • Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing Course
  • Coronary Care Course
  • Diabetic Nursing Course
  • Ear Nose and Throat Nursing Course
  • Forensic Psychiatric Nursing Course
  • Gerontological Nursing Course
  • Higher Diploma in Midwifery
  • Higher Diploma in Paediatrics 
  • Infection Control Nursing Course
  • Intensive Care Nursing Course (incl. Paediatric Intensive Care and Special and Intensive Care of Newborn)
  • Neurological/Neurosurgical Nursing Course
  • Operating Theatre Nursing Course (incl. Paediatric Op. Theatre)
  • Ophthalmic Nursing Course
  • Orthopaedic Nursing Course
  • Higher Diploma in Cardiovascular Nursing Course
  • Higher Diploma in Diabetes Nursing Course
  • Higher Diploma in Oncological Nursing Course
  • Higher Diploma in Palliative Care Nursing Course
  • Higher Diploma in Accident and Emergency Nursing Course
  • Rehabilitation Nursing Course
  • Renal Nursing Course
  • Stoma Care Nursing Course

With effect from the 1 March 2002 payment of the specialist qualification allowance is extended to all specialist courses (A Recognised Post-Registration Qualification awarded by a Higher Education Institution) confirmed as Category 2 or equivalent by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland.

B. Registered general nurse/midwives who are holding recognised Post-Registration Qualifications in sick children's nursing and employed on duties appropriate to their qualification are also eligible to apply for a qualification allowance.
 

Where can you get the application form?

The application form for NMBI Verification of Category 2 or Equivalent Post-Registration Qualifications can be downloaded directly from the links below. 

There are two application forms:
 
A. Verification of Academic Qualifications Completed in Ireland Application form – Use this form if you obtained your qualification in Ireland. 

B.  Verification of Academic Qualifications Completed outside Ireland Application form – Use this form if you obtained your qualification outside Ireland.

You can email scanned copies of the application form and the required documents to EducationandGuidance@nmbi.ie or post them to the Professional Standards Department, 18/20 Carysfort Avenue, Blackrock, Co. Dublin.

How long is the verification process?

  1. The verification process will take 8 weeks due to the volume of nurses and midwives applying for verification.
  2. You will receive a confirmation email to confirm that your application form has been received.
  3. A letter will be sent to you after 8 weeks to inform you of the official result of your application.
  4. Only follow up on your application if you did not receive your letter after 8 weeks. 

September 2020

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