How do I become a Midwife?

Midwifery is a highly respected and rewarding profession dedicated to supporting women and families during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period. As a midwife, you provide person-centred care, combining compassion with clinical expertise to improve health outcomes for mothers and new-borns. Midwifery offers opportunities for professional growth, specialisation, and lifelong learning, making it an empowering pathway for those passionate about helping others.

In Ireland, there are two pathways to become a registered midwife:

  1. Undergraduate Degree Route – This is a 4-year Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Midwifery (Hons) – see approved courses
  2. Post-Registration Route (for Nurses) –  If you are already a Registered General Nurse (RGN), you can do a Higher Diploma in Midwifery which is sponsored by the HSE. This is typically 18 months long.

Additional information can be found on Careers Portal website.

Your role with the HSE

Once qualified, you must register with NMBI, Ireland’s nursing and midwifery regulator.

Midwifery offers a wide range of career opportunities across hospital and community settings, including antenatal and postnatal wards, birthing suites, clinics, Midwifery-Led Units, neonatal care, ultrasound, specialist roles, maternity theatres and aspects of women health.

As a midwife, you are a key member of the multidisciplinary team, working with obstetricians, gynaecologists, health and social care professionals, and support staff providing comprehensive care before, during, and after pregnancy to women and their infants.

Midwives are often the primary health professional for a pregnant woman, offering professional guidance, evidence-based information, and emotional support helping women make informed decisions throughout the pregnancy journey.

This dynamic profession empowers you to make a meaningful impact while building a rewarding and adaptable career.

Career Progression

Clinical Pathway:
Staff Midwife (Senior), Enhanced Midwife (Senior)
Clinical Midwife Specialist, Advanced Midwife Practitioner

Management Pathway:
Clinical Midwife Manager,  Assistant Director of Midwifery (ADOM)
Director of Midwifery (DOM), Regional Director of Nursing and Midwifery

Educational Pathway:
Clinical Placement Co-ordinator/Student Allocations officer, Midwife Practice Development Coordinator
Midwife Tutor/ Lecturer

Research and Development:
NMPDU Officer, NMPDU Area Director

Please note, the above does not represent a comprehensive list of pathways, with additional opportunities available in addition to those listed.

Development

We offer professional development and educational opportunities, enhancing the skills of our workforce and the quality of care provided.

Annual Professional Development Planning (PDP) supports midwives in working with their managers in a facilitative and supportive manner, to achieve personal, professional, and organisational goals.

Your local NMPDU supports continuing professional development programmes, including masterclasses, workshops, study days and conferences.

The Office of the Nursing and Midwifery Services Director (ONMSD) Centres for Nursing and Midwifery Education provide CPD and QQI Level 5–8 programmes of education.

HSELAND, the HSE portal, offers an array of training & development opportunities delivered online and in classroom settings.

Explore NMBI‘s approved post-registration courses leading to additional registration or click here for further information.

Staff Benefits and Testimonials

Working in a rewarding and challenging career is just one of the many benefits you’ll enjoy as a HSE employee. We offer attractive pay and benefits, professional supervision, career support and development opportunities, in a supportive environment.

Midwifery careers involve varied shift patterns: days, nights, weekends; offering flexibility, experience, and enhanced pay for non-core hours.  These work patterns support flexibility in terms of work life balance.

See Pay scales – HSE Staff

We’re pleased to share insights from our midwife colleagues, highlighting their experiences and commitment to the profession: