Overview

This course is open to Registered General Nurses with Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland Registration (NMBI), who are registered as health visitors in the UK, who do not have a midwifery qualification, that want to register and practice as a public health nurse in Ireland. This provides the required postnatal and infant health knowledge for public health nursing.

Applicants should contact NMBI for assessment of their previous qualifications in advance of undertaking this course.

This programme is for Health Visitors who are educated outside Ireland, who wish to register as Public Health Nurses and who, following assessment of their qualification against NMBI's requirements for registration, have an identified deficit in relation to the Maternal and Infant Health component.

It is important to distinguish between completion of the Maternal and Infant Health module and eligibility for registration as a Public Health Nurse. Applicants must also meet all other NMBI requirements for registration as a Public Health Nurse.

As with all programmes leading to registration, it is the individual applicant's responsibility to apply to NMBI for registration and to ensure that they meet the relevant eligibility and registration requirements. Registration can only take place where NMBI is satisfied that all applicable requirements for registration as a Public Health Nurse have been met.

Prospective applicants should therefore ensure that they meet the relevant NMBI requirements for registration before undertaking the programme and should contact NMBI for advice relating to their individual situation prior to undertaking this programme and on completion of the programme regarding registration.

Documentation Required to Complete Application

• A copy of current NMBI registration and registration as a Health Visitor with the Nursing and Midwifery Council in the UK.
• Copies of academic transcripts from completed educational courses
• Copies of official awards (transcripts, not parchments) from completed educational courses
• Proof of clinical experience

Entry Requirements

To be considered for entry to the programme, applicants must meet the entry requirements below (subject to change):

Clinical Experience Eligibility

Applicants must be registered in the General Nursing Division of the Register of Nurses maintained by the NMBI or entitled to be so registered AND have a minimum of two years’ post-registration general nursing experience.
And
Applicants must be registered as a Health Visitor with the Nursing and Midwifery Council in the UK.
OR
Registered in the General Nursing Division and another Division of the Register, including Registered Midwife (RM), Registered Children’s Nurse (RCN), Registered Nurse Intellectual Disability (RNID) or Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN) Divisions of the Register of Nurses and Midwives maintained by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) or entitled to be so registered; AND have a minimum of 12 months post-registration general nursing experience as an RGN, AND 12 months post-registration experience as an RM, RCN, RNID or RPN.
And
Registered as a Health Visitor with the Nursing and Midwifery Council in the UK.

What you will Learn

This course combines theoretical learning with a 5 weeks placement in a maternity setting.

On successful completion of this micro-credential, you will receive credits as per the European Credit and Transfer System. These credits are recognised by the awarding institution as credits aligned to learning completed at postgraduate level 9.

Students may then contact NMBI in order to have their learning assessed with a view to registration on the Public Health Nursing division of the Register.

Learning Outcomes

1. Evaluate the implications of maternal and reproductive health policy for public health nursing practice.
2. Discuss physiological changes that occur during pregnancy and the principles of antenatal care.
3. Describe the physiology of labour and care of the woman during labour.
4. Explain complications associated with pregnancy, and labour and the impact these have on the postpartum period
5. Explain the physiological and psychological changes that occur in the mother during the postnatal period and factors that influence transition to parenthood.
6. Critically explore the role of the public health nurse in assessing and promoting postnatal health in the community.
7. Demonstrate a comprehensive postnatal assessment of the mother incorporating explanation of postnatal complications and their management in the community.
8. Explain the normal physical and behavioural characteristics of the neonate
9. Demonstrate a comprehensive assessment of the newborn incorporating the associated health education.
10. Discuss the role of the PHN in providing education to promoting optimum infant health and wellbeing
11. Recognise when onward referral is required and discuss referral pathways available in the community.
12. Demonstrate understanding the role of the public health nurse in supporting the breastfeeding mother in the primary care setting.
13. Understand the complications associated with pregnancy, labour and the postpartum period.

Assessments

• Continuous Assessment (100%)

Contact

If you have any questions about this course, please contact:

Linda Leonard
School of Nursing and Midwifery | Áras Moyola | University of Galway
Phone: +353 91 49 3740

Email: Linda Leonard

How to Apply

Online Application Portal will be open from 1st April until 26th June 2026.

Learn more about our application process.

Apply here: Online Application Portal

Academic level: Micro-credentials and CPD
College/Interest type: Healthcare & Medicine
Academic programme: Choose the right micro-credential from the list