Sponsorship Scheme for Student Public Health Nurses
Sponsorship is available for nurses who want to become public health nurses (PHNs).
The programme runs for 1 academic year starting September each year.
This programme involves a national joint application process between the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and the HSE.
We invite you to register for the Public Health Nursing Sponsorship Programme Information Webinar taking place on Thursday, 11 December 2025, from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM. Discover what Public Health Nursing is and learn more about the Public Health Nursing Sponsorship Programme, with the sponsorship campaign going live on 4 December 2025.
Who can apply?
To apply for this programme you must be registered in the General Nursing Division of the Register of Nurses maintained by the Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) or entitled to be so registered and:
- have a minimum of 2 years post registration general nursing experience
or
be 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 & Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) or entitled to be so registered. - have a minimum of 12 months post registration general nursing experience as an RGN.
- have a minimum of 12 months post registration experience as an RM or RCN or RNID or RPN.
- meet the HEI academic criteria set by the relevant Higher Education Institutes if applicable.
Note: Students who do not meet the relevant HEI academic criteria may be considered for entry to the programme through the Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) process. APEL is the framework for accreditation for prior experiential learning.
How to apply
A new campaign will be live on 4th December 2025 and we will provide a link on this page and on the Public Health / Community Nursing Team page.
Currently 3 higher education institutions provide postgraduate public health nursing programmes to successful applicants:
Your application will be assessed by the HSE and the HEIs.
HSE HR Circular
Sponsorship of Student Public Health Nurses – HSE HR Circular 008.2015
Public Health Nursing Sponsorship Programme
Link for Information Recorded Webinar (video)
Enquiries
Grainne Ryan – National Lead for Public Health Nursing
Phone: 087 618 4972
Email: grainnea.ryan@hse.ie