Róisín Shortall
Ceist:167. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health to respond to matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31550/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 28 June 2023
Ceisteanna (167)
Freagraí scríofa
The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) is the independent, statutory organisation which regulates the nursing and midwifery professions in Ireland. It maintains the Register of Nurses and Midwives. Ensuring patient safety and protecting the public is a core function of the NMBI and therefore rigorous evaluation of information and thorough regulatory checks are required when processing applications from all of those who want to practise as nurses and midwives in Ireland.
To register to become a nurse or midwife, all applicants need to complete a two-stage process:??
1. Recognition of qualifications
2. Registration.?
In the first stage, recognition of qualifications, an Education Assessor will assess evidence of education, qualifications and credentials; usually evidenced in the applicant’s transcripts of the education programme undertaken. The Assessor will examine in detail whether the qualifications' clinical and theory content demonstrates the competency level set out to meet the NMBI standards and requirements to practice in Ireland. If relevant, courses additional to the applicant’s graduate qualifications, post-graduate qualifications and post-qualification work experience will be considered in the demonstration of nursing or midwifery competency. Once an applicant’s qualifications have been assessed as satisfactory, a decision letter will issue from the NMBI.
Often, a decision letter will inform an applicant that their qualifications have been provisionally recognised and there is a requirement to complete a ‘compensation measure’ to address the identified gap between the qualifications provided and the NMBI Standards and Requirements. These compensation measures are either a paid period of adaptation or an aptitude test; these are mechanisms which allow an applicant to demonstrate their competency to meet the NMBI standards.
The compensation measures are undertaken in Ireland, either an adaptation programme for assessment, which is a paid period in an approved hospital or community centre (a minimum of six weeks, to a maximum of twelve) or by undertaking an aptitude test comprising multiple-choice questions and practical examinations over one /two weekends. Once the applicant has completed the compensation measure successfully, the recognition process is complete, and they can apply for registration.
As part of the second stage, all registration applicants must satisfy the NMBI that they have the necessary knowledge and competency in English to communicate effectively and safely in their practice. Communication is defined as speaking, reading, listening and writing, and the applicant must provide evidence demonstrating that they have met the required level of competence in these four mandatory skills. For many overseas educated applicants, this means taking an English language test and submitting a certificate of test results. The NMBI recognises both the International English Language Test System (IELTS) and Occupational English Test (OET) and verified test providers. IELTS and OET are valid for two years across all Irish regulators and Canadian, Australian, American and UK regulators. This is also the standard validation period across immigration services internationally.
These language tests are carried out by independent third parties, internationally recognised for providing rigorous and evidence-based professional or occupational English testing, especially for healthcare professionals. Tests can be taken in Ireland, or nearly all other countries.
The NMBI, citing the level of responsibility and clinical competence required to work as a registered nurse or midwife, has informed my Department that accepting a letter from an employer as a means of verification of competency in the English language would not be acceptable regulatory practice.