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Course Overview
The Higher Diploma in Midwifery is an 18-month full-time add-on course for Registered General Nurses who wish to become midwives.
The programme is delivered in partnership with Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda and will provide students with the knowledge and skills required to carry out their duties as a midwife in accordance with the definition of a midwife adapted from the International Confederation of Midwives’ (ICM 2011) definition and adopted by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).
The programme is suited to Registered General Nurses with NMBI who:
- Wish to care for women and families in a holistic manner before, during and after pregnancy
- Have an interest in health and wellbeing, particularly women’s health and wellbeing.
- Have an interest in specialised neonatal care and care of healthy newborn infants.
What makes this course different
Successful completion of this programme entitles you to register as a qualified midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).
This programme embraces student centred, real-world learning where students are encouraged to relate midwifery theory to midwifery practice.
Students on this programme benefit from smaller class sizes and one to one engagement with lecturers.
Students on this programme are paid employees of the HSE. Students will retain their current point on the staff nurse salary scale on entry into the programme and will also be granted incremental credit (if applicable) during the programme.
Career Opportunities
The Higher Diploma in Midwifery programme will provide the appropriate foundation for midwives to practice following registration. This will be the basis of a career trajectory and will help prepare midwives for continuing professional development. Career pathways can be considered in terms of clinical, management, education and research pathways.
Course Delivery and Modules
The following learning and teaching strategies underpin this programme:
- Enquiry Based Learning (EBL)
- Tutorials
- Lectures
- Group Work / Seminars
- Clinical / Practical Skills
- Clinical Placements
The programme is normally divided into three semesters with a combination of theoretical and clinical modules being provided each semester.
- HDip The Profession of Midwifery
- HDip Midwifery Practice 1
- HDip Midwifery and Women’s Health
- HDip Clinical 1
- HDip Midwifery Practice 2
- HDip The Healthy Neonate
- HDip Sensitive Midwifery
- HDip Clinical 2
- HDip Midwifery Practice 3
- HDip The Complex Neonate
- HDip Developing the Profession of Midwifery
- HDip Clinical 3
Work placement
Throughout this programme time is balanced between college and clinical placements.
Entry requirements
The HSE has identified that applicants must:
- Be registered in the General Division of the Register of Nurses maintained by Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) or entitled to be so registered
Student Stories
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Kate Finnamore
How to apply
The next intake for this course is September 2025. Please complete the form at the link below to register your interest and be notified when applications are open.
Ask us a Question
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