Compensation Measure Required for Nurses and Midwives Qualified in the UK Since 2021

The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) would like to advise all student nurses and student midwives studying in the UK since 2021 that it is increasingly likely they will require a compensation measure following the completion of their studies in order to join the Register of nurses and midwives in Ireland, and they should plan accordingly when applying to NMBI.  

The requirement for a compensation measure for nurses and midwives who qualified in the UK after 2021 is due to a deviation from the European Directive (2005/36/EC) since Brexit, as well as changes to learning and clinical placement permitted by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) during Covid in the UK.  

The compensation measure requirement does not apply to nurses and midwives who qualified in the UK prior to Brexit. 

Students considering applying to the UK for a nursing/midwifery course should bear in mind that in order to join the Register and practise in Ireland, following qualification, they may need to complete a compensation measure.  

Applicants for a division other than General Nurses, will need to complete a period of adaptation, as the Aptitude Test is not available for divisions other than General Nurses. 

All nurses and midwives who practise in Ireland must be registered on the Register of Nurses and Midwives which is maintained by NMBI. If you study outside of Ireland your qualifications must be recognised before you can apply for registration. In the vast majority of cases a compensation measure must be successfully completed before qualifications are recognised. 

The compensation measure is: 

• An aptitude test (please see RCSI website for further details) 

      or 

• A period of adaptation in a hospital (please see our website for further details)

A compensation measure is required when there are gaps between professional qualifications and experience, compared with the required Irish standards and requirements.  

97% of all applications who qualified outside of the EU will need a compensation measure in order to join the Register of nurses and midwives.