Certificate in Nursing (Nurse/Midwife Prescribing) (September Intake) in Galway Ireland | University of Galway

This program was developed to address the growing need for nurses and midwives to prescribe medications, enhancing patient-centered healthcare delivery. The initiative stems from two pivotal reports that proposed expanding prescriptive privileges for these professionals: the 1998 Commission on Nursing and the 2000 Review of the Scope and Practice for Nursing and Midwifery. These recommendations underwent thorough assessment during a three-year collaborative study conducted in 2005 by An Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann alongside the National Council for the Professional Development of Nursing and Midwifery. The study affirmed that nurses and midwives should indeed be granted prescribing authority. Subsequent implementation efforts in 2008 established the necessary regulatory framework, professional guidelines, and support systems to facilitate this expanded role. Official authorization for nurse and midwife prescribing was granted by the Minister for Health and Children in 2007, operating within strict legal parameters, professional regulations, and defined practice boundaries - all focused on elevating patient care standards.
The curriculum spans six months, featuring an orientation day plus ten workshop days (three per module) on campus. Participants also complete clinical mentorship throughout the program, including twelve supervised prescribing sessions with an assigned medical practitioner.

Career Prospects
Graduates will gain essential competencies to assume medication prescribing responsibilities within their professional scope.