The Irish Association of Advanced Nurse and Midwife Practitioners (IAANMP) was established in 2004 to provide a support network for all those involved directly or indirectly in advanced nursing or midwifery practice. The aim of the association is to empower its members to advance quality healthcare through practice, education, advocacy, research, and leadership.
To support this mission, the IAANMP hosts a national conference for advanced nurse and midwife practitioners (ANPs/AMPs) every year; providing a platform for collaboration and learning, and inspiration to ensure these goals are achieved.
In 2024, the conference was a celebration of the association’s 20th anniversary. Over 200 delegates attended the event, representing many areas of advanced nursing and midwifery practice across Ireland from both acute and community settings.
The past, present, and future of advanced practice
The day commenced with a welcome address from IAANMP Chairperson Melissa Hammond, General Practice ANP. Ms Hammond acknowledged continuing achievements of the IAANMP over 2024, which included a focus on being more visible as an association, providing more education, and promoting advanced practice inclusion and collaboration.
She described the conference as an invaluable opportunity for networking with peers, experts, and guest speakers, who are highly influential in advanced practice, and emphasised the continuous professional development opportunities the event offered attendees.
The opening address was co-delivered by Chief Nursing Officer at the Department of Health Kelly Mofflin and President of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland Dr Louise McBride, who both highlighted that advanced practitioners are increasingly recognised as pivotal to the future of the health service.
There was a trip down memory lane when Valerie Small, the first ANP in Ireland, spoke about how her journey started back in 1996, and how it evolved over the years. Following on from this, the three founding members of the association – Cora O’Connor, Paula McBrearty, and Gabby Dunne – focused on the past, present, and future of the IAANMP.
Clinical practice and professional development
There was a number of inspiring clinical snapshots presented during the event, whereby ANPs working in the areas of obesity management (Claire Kearney), diabetes (Yvonne Moloney), and cardiology (Deirdre McGuone Kiely) shared their knowledge, skills, and experiences, and discussed how their roles influence healthcare.
Barrister-at-law Asim A Sheikh then delivered an in-depth overview of the legal aspects surrounding record keeping, which sparked many questions and much debate among attendees.
Finally, Dr Catrina Heffernan, Chair of the International Council of Nurses (ICN), Nurse Practitioner/Advanced Practice Nursing Network (NPAPNN) Practice Committee, led an expert panel discussion entitled: ‘Modernising healthcare using an advanced practice model’. Several notable guest speakers including Ms Hammond; Dr McBride; Dr Emily Lockwood, Academia, South East Technological University; Dr Geraldine Shaw, Director, Office of the Nursing and Midwifery Services Director; Sandra McCarthy, Director of Nursing, Integrated Care, Tallaght University Hospital; and Dr Michelle Acorn, Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Nursing, Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, Chief Executive of the Nurse Practitioners’ Association of Ontario, Canada, were present.
During the discussion, benefits of joining the IAANMP were discussed, as was the importance of the association having links with the key stakeholders in policy and the Board of Registration, and international links with the ICN NPAPNN, in order to progress advanced practice in Ireland. Ms Hammond also called for all advanced practice sub-committees to collaborate with the IAANMP to promote unity in numbers.
The conference concluded with the presentation of recognition awards and poster competition winners. In her closing address, IAANMP Secretary Dona Comar thanked delegates for their participation, attendance, time, and valuable contributions. She also delivered some key messages, including commitment as an association to maintaining transparency, collaboration, and innovation as we work towards our collective goals.
She acknowledged the leadership of IAANMP Chair Melissa Hammond and IAANMP Vice-Chair Caroline Fraser, and commended the committee, partners, and members for their on-going hard work and dedication. Ms Comar concluded by reiterating that the association is heading in the right direction, and that we need to work together towards an even brighter future.
Overall, the conference was a huge success with very positive feedback received. There was a recurring theme throughout the day which highlighted the benefit and importance of being a member of the IAANMP, and how fundamental ANPs and AMPs will be to the future of healthcare in Ireland.


Chair of IAANMP















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