RCSI in conjunction with the Health Service Executive (HSE) today launched the country's first Postgraduate Certificate in Nursing/Midwifery specially aimed at newly qualified nurses and midwives.

The programme was designed to provide a unique and major contribution to the professional development of graduate nurses and midwives employed in the Irish health services.

The programme, which is fully funded by the HSE, will be offered to up to 1000 graduate staff nurses and midwives nationwide. The programme will be run over two years and will enhance interdisciplinary and collaborative practice by providing students with the opportunity to rotate in different clinical settings.

Speaking at the launch, Professor Zena Moore, Head of the School of Nursing, RCSI said: "This novel Postgraduate Certificate in Nursing and Midwifery will enable newly-qualified nurses and midwives to develop the knowledge, leadership and clinical abilities which they need to support their early career development. Informed by health care service needs, it will provide graduates with an advanced level of knowledge and competence as well as serving as a platform for continuing professional development and for further postgraduate study."

Dr Michael Shannon, Director, Nursing and Midwifery Services, HSE said: “I am confident that this programme is a robust model built on international experience and excellence to enable our graduate staff nurses and midwives in meeting service requirements and their individual continuous professional development.”

The course will commence in March 2014. The programme is a Level 9 National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) and it receives 30 European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS).