Work Environment
This occupation is typically found in the following Career Sector(s):
Videos & Interviews
Videos on the Web
- Midwife/Clinical Nurse Specialist- from: Youtube Search
Most commonly reported Work Activities
- Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Assisting and Caring for Others Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
- Coaching and Developing Others Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
- Training and Teaching Others Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
Working Life
Clinical Nurse Specialists and Clinical Midwife Specialists work at a more specialised level than a staff nurse or a staff midwife. They work in a defined area of speciality within nursing or midwifery practice that requires specially focused knowledge and skills that are required to improve the quality of patient/client care.
The CNS or CMS must have post registration experience and complete a post-registration programme of study in the specialist area to practice. The post holder’s practice is based on the five core concepts of the CNS or CMS role: Clinical Focus, Client Advocate, Education and Training, Audit and Research and Consultant Clinical Focus.
The CNS or CMS works as part of the multidisciplinary team providing specialist care. There is a wide range of clinical specialisms in Ireland across different healthcare settings which include:
CNS’s:
- Hospital and community: respiratory, diabetes, cardiology
- Mental Health: child and adolescent mental health, adult mental health
- Paediatrics: paediatric diabetes, respiratory
- ID Services: positive behaviour support, acute hospital liaison
CMS’s:
- Midwifery; Diabetes in Pregnancy, Bereavement and Loss, Infant feeding, Perinatal Mental Health, Ultrasound, Teenage Pregnancy.
The HSE is the biggest employer in Ireland for this occupation. Further information is available from the NMBI Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland.
Most commonly reported Work Tasks
- Evaluate the quality and effectiveness of nursing practice or organisational systems.
- Collaborate with other health care professionals and service providers to ensure optimal patient care.
- Develop and maintain departmental policies, procedures, objectives, or patient care standards, based on evidence-based practice guidelines or expert opinion.
- Develop nursing service philosophies, goals, policies, priorities, or procedures.
- Direct or supervise nursing care staff in the provision of patient therapy.
- Read current literature, talk with colleagues, or participate in professional organisations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in nursing.
- Instruct nursing staff in areas such as the assessment, development, implementation, and evaluation of disability, illness, management, technology, or resources.
- Provide coaching and mentoring to other caregivers to help facilitate their professional growth and development.
- Provide consultation to other health care providers in areas such as patient discharge, patient care, or clinical procedures.
- Develop, implement, or evaluate standards of nursing practice in specialty area, such as pediatrics, acute care, and geriatrics.
Interests - Midwife/Clinical Nurse Specialist
This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:
Social
The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.
Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.
Investigative
The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.
Realist
Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.
Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.
Entry / Progression - Midwife/Clinical Nurse Specialist
Applicants are required to have completed an honours primary degree in nursing and hold current registration with The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland. There are a number of different pathways to prepare you for a career in nursing. All of these entry routes also apply to mature entrants.
Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research.
Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.
Example search terms include: nursing, midwifery, pre university, nursing studies, maternity care.
Search for FET Courses
PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.
Certain Specific QQI Level 5 Certificate Programmes can provide links to Nursing Degree Programmes.
- Nursing Studies (5M4349)
- Community and Health Services (5M4468)
- Healthcare Support (5M4339)
In all cases places are limited and applicants must have achieved distinctions in five components including;
- Anatomy and Physiology (5N0749)
- Nursing Theory and Practice (5N4325)
- Human Growth and Development (5N1279) or Biology (5N2746)
You can find details of where these courses are run by entering the course titles into the Course Finder from the link below.
Search for PLC Courses
If you are in a PLC course or considering taking one, you can check to see if there is a progression pathway to courses in the CAO system. The following link will list all PLC courses that are related to the Healthcare sector in Ireland. Use the filters on that page to narrow your search as required.
Search Progression Routes
Note: Courses completed at PLC/FET level require specific FETAC awards and modules to meet minimum entry requirements to apply via CAO for a place in nursing under the HELS Higher Education Links Scheme.
Contact the Admissions Office of the individual (EB’s) Education Body or visit CAO Nursing FET- QQI places.
You can also check NMBI Careers in Nursing & Midwifery for any changes.
Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate)
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.
The Higher Education route is the most common route for students considering a nursing career. A full list of nursing courses can be found by entering the term 'Nursing or Midwifery' into the Coursefinder from the link below, or following this link for all medical related courses.
There are 4 pre-registration level nursing training programmes available, all of which are at Level 8 Honours Bachelor Degree:
- BSc in General Nursing (RGN)
- BSc in Mental Health Nursing (RPN)
- BSc in Intellectual Disability Nursing (RNID)
- BSc in Children's and General (integrated) Nursing
These General Nursing programmes are offered through Higher Education Institutions (HEls) in association with the main healthcare agencies (hospitals/clinical sites).
Search for CAO Courses
Tertiary Education Programmes
Tertiary Education Programmes are a new pathway to a bachelor's degree. The tertiary degree is a comprehensive 5 year programme. Students spend the first year in the Further Education and Training (FET) sector then progress to the corresponding third level college with locally designated pathways (Atlantic Technical University (ATU) Castlebar, St Angela's College, Sligo or Donegal and Munster Technical University (MTU) Kerry) to undertake their four-year Nursing programme.
Search Tertiary Education Programmes
Mature Entry
All candidates are required to apply through CAO. Mature Entry is for those that are 23 years of age or older by 1st January in the year of entry, applicants are also required to sit a test. The Nursing Careers Centre (NCC) of Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland, NMBI) assesses candidates.
Mature entry route is based on applying for a nursing course via www.cao.ie by 1st February or late application date of 1st May. Applicants can also avail of the change of mind facility on CAO up to 1st July. Although it is possible to make a late application to mature nursing, it is not possible to apply late for other mature entry routes. Other mature entry routes should be applied for by 1st February, to ensure they can engage in any mature assessments.
Places are limited and mature applicants must satisfy the minimum entry requirements for the Nursing programme and will also be assessed based on each Colleges [RPL] Recognition of prior learning.
Check out NMBI Mature student guide for more information.
Higher Education (Postgraduate)
Postgraduate courses are courses at Levels 9 and 10 on the NFQ and usually last 1 – 2 years full time, or longer if a PhD or part time. Entrants typically require an undergraduate award (Level 8). A full list of postgraduate nursing courses can be found by entering the term 'Nursing, Midwifery, Advanced Practice Midwifery, Advanced Leadership, Nursing Advanced Practice, Research, Health Systems' into the Coursefinder from the link below, or following this link for all medical related courses.
Search for Postgraduate Courses
Entry to the Advanced Nurse or Midwife Practitioner register requires a Master’s Degree in Advanced Practice, or a Master’s Degree in a specialist area with the additional modules required at advanced practice level (medication and /or x-ray prescriptive authority, clinical decision and leadership competencies, research competencies and competencies gained through a clinical practicum leading to clinical competence). MSc Nursing and Midwifery Advanced Practice Programmes are available from UCC, UCD, UL, University of Galway, and TCD.
Professional Development
Professional development (CPD) courses are specialised training, formal education, or advanced professional learning that improves skills, professional knowledge, competency, and overall effectiveness in the professional world.
Check out NMBI Career paths for further information on how to train and register as a nurse or midwife.
The National Office of Nursing and Midwifery will provide further information and guidance on supporting your nursing career options. Check out a list of current CPD.
Pay & Salary - Midwife/Clinical Nurse Specialist
Salary Range (thousands per year)* €52k - €83k
Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.
Please click on the link below to view pay scales for HSE staff.
Data Source(s):
HSE.ie/ Glassdoor/ Indeed
Last Updated: March, 2025
Labour Market Updates - Midwife/Clinical Nurse Specialist
This occupation has been identified as a Job in Demand by the most recent National Skills Bulletin.
Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Nurses and midwives.
This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2024).
This occupation is the second largest (after sales assistants) across all occupations. Employment growth was above average, with particularly strong growth between 2021 and 2023 (an additional 20,500 persons employed). There was also a high number of recent job hires for this role, reflecting both the employment growth and turnover in roles with short-term contracts. Almost all employed were female (90%) and 37% were non-Irish citizens. This is also reflected in the high number of employment permits, the highest across all occupations, with staff nurses the most common role where permits were issued.
There was a relatively high volume of jobs advertised online (Eurostat/CEDEFOP) and of posts notified to DSP for nurses; difficult-to-fill vacancies in the Recruitment Agency Survey included for staff nurses, theatre, ICU, oncology, and nurse managers. Recent changes to the education/training for nurses has seen additional places on existing courses and new routes (e.g. tertiary programmes and allocated places for students from the Republic of Ireland to study in Northern Ireland) which will go some way to alleviating issues with sourcing nurses in the coming years.
A high demand for nurses is likely to persist and replacement demand alone for such a large occupation will also contribute to continued job openings.
Useful Contacts - Midwife/Clinical Nurse Specialist
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Office of the Nursing and Midwifery Services Director, HSE Dr Steevens’ Hospital
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Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI)
