HSE urges nurses to consider a career in public health nursing

The HSE is encouraging nurses to consider a career as a public health nurse (PHN). Applications for the HSE Public Health Sponsorship Programme are now open. The programme will equip nurses with the necessary skills to progress their career in public health nursing and make a difference in the community.

The programme is open to nurses registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) who have a minimum of two years’ post-registration experience. It runs for one academic year, commencing each September.

Postgraduate Public Health Nursing programmes are delivered by three higher education institutions: University College Cork (UCC), University College Dublin, and the University of Galway. Upon successful completion of the course, participants are offered a permanent contract.

Clodagh Brackett, a UCC student PHN based in Blackrock, Cork city, completed the Student PHN Sponsorship Postgraduate Programme after joining in September 2024. She gained experience working in both the hospital environment and in the community while completing a graduate nurse rotation programme.

Ms Brackett said: “I am so happy that I have completed the PHN course. It was a year full of learning and dedication, which has allowed me to be competent in my role as a PHN. My job is so diverse, from visiting newborn babies that have just been discharged from the maternity services to caring for people at the final stages of their lives.

“The support I have from my ADPHN and my colleagues is outstanding. Although PHNs are lone workers, the sense of community in public health nursing is astounding, and the support I have received really encourages my further learning. It’s a great course to have done and will stand to me throughout my nursing career.”

Grainne Ryan, National Lead for Public Health Nursing, HSE Office of the Nursing and Midwifery Services, added: “Public health nursing services aim to deliver safe, quality, and person-centred community nursing care across a person’s life. The service is committed to promoting health and wellbeing and enabling people to live healthy, fulfilled lives.

“The recruitment and retention of PHNs is a significant priority for us. I’d encourage nurses to consider the sponsorship programme. It is a blended academic programme, which will equip nurses with the necessary skills and experience to take the next step in their career.”

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