Question 1

How many Nurses are there in Ireland?

Accepted Answer

Ireland has a sizable nursing workforce, with over 82,000 Nurses registered with the Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) and more than 65,000 Nurses on the active register delivering care across public and private settings.

Question 2

What types of Nurse roles are available in Ireland?

Accepted Answer

Ireland recognises seven nursing divisions, registered under the NMBI: General nursing, Psychiatric nursing, Children’s nursing, Intellectual disability nursing, Midwifery, Public health nursing, and Nurse tutor / education. Roles span acute hospitals, mental health services, intellectual disability, community health, primary care, long-term care and private clinical environments.

Question 3

What kind of pay can I earn in Nurse jobs in Ireland?

Accepted Answer

Nurse pay in Ireland varies by experience, division, employer and location. The average salary for a Registered Nurse is approximately €39,296 per year, while newly qualified Staff Nurses typically start at around €24,850 annually. Pay increases with clinical experience, postgraduate qualifications and progression into specialist or managerial roles. Private sector roles may offer premium rates for nights, weekends or specialist services.

Question 4

Can newly qualified Nurses work as a Nurse in Ireland?

Accepted Answer

Yes. After completing an approved nursing degree and registering with the NMBI, newly qualified Nurses can begin working as Staff Nurses. Many hospitals offer structured graduate transition programmes to support early career development.

Question 5

Do Nurses need specific training or qualifications in Ireland?

Accepted Answer

Yes. To work as a Registered Nurse in Ireland you must complete a recognised Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Nursing and register with the NMBI. Postgraduate diplomas (typically one year) in areas such as intensive care, oncology or cardiac nursing can open pathways into specialist and senior roles. All practising Nurses must renew NMBI registration annually.

Question 6

Do you need experience to be a Nurse in Ireland?

Accepted Answer

Paid experience is not required before qualifying, as clinical placements form part of nursing degrees. Most newly registered Nurses start as Staff Nurses in acute, community, mental health or long-term care services. Specialist posts such as ICU, theatre, ED or CNS roles typically require post-registration experience.

Question 7

What personal skills do you need to be a Nurse in Ireland?

Accepted Answer

Successful Nurses typically demonstrate strong communication and listening skills, empathy and patient-centred care, teamwork and multi-disciplinary collaboration, attention to detail and clinical accuracy, resilience and adaptability, and a commitment to lifelong learning and CPD. These skills are essential whether working in acute care, mental health, intellectual disability, paediatrics, midwifery or community settings.

Question 8

What shifts do Nurses work in Ireland?

Accepted Answer

Shift patterns vary by service area. Hospitals: rostered 24/7 shifts including nights, weekends and bank holidays. Mental health & ID services: rotating shift patterns. Community & public health: daytime office-style hours. GP & private clinics: fixed daytime schedules. Nursing & care homes: shift-based with night coverage. Many employers operate self-rostering, annualised hours or flexible scheduling to support work-life balance.

Question 9

Are sponsorship or relocation options available for Nurses in Ireland?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Ireland actively recruits international Nurses, particularly in general, mental health, paediatrics, midwifery and intellectual disability divisions. Sponsorship routes are available for eligible overseas applicants once NMBI registration, English language requirements and immigration criteria are met. Some employers offer relocation assistance including visa support, accommodation and onboarding.

Question 10

What’s the difference between public and private Nurse jobs in Ireland?

Accepted Answer

Ireland does not operate under the NHS model. Instead, healthcare delivery is split between Public sector (HSE and hospital groups) and the private sector.
In the Public sector, Nurse jobs can offer standardised pay scales, structured progression and training pathways, a public pension scheme, with jobs in high-acuity and emergency care settings. In the Private sector, Nurses enjoy employer-set pay and benefits, smaller or more elective case mix, opportunities in diagnostics, surgical care and long-term care, and potential for bonuses or enhanced shift rates. Many Nurses move between sectors or work across both during their careers.

Question 11

Are there part-time or flexible Nurse jobs in Ireland?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Nursing is one of the most flexible professions in Ireland. Options include part-time contracts, bank and agency shifts, seasonal or fixed-term roles, night-only or weekend-only work, as well as job-sharing, term-time roles (e.g., schools, community services), and flexible rostering within HSE and private services. Flexibility is particularly attractive for Nurses balancing family life, education or phased return to practice.

Question 12

What career progression opportunities are available for Nurses in Ireland?

Accepted Answer

Most Nurses begin as Staff Nurses before advancing into senior, specialist or education pathways such as Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP), Clinical Nurse Manager (CNM I–III), Midwife Specialist / Public Health Nurse, Nurse Tutor / Education roles, or Ward management, Matron and Director of Nursing roles. Further study, postgraduate diplomas or master’s degrees can accelerate progression.

Question 13

Is there demand for Nurses in Ireland?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Ireland continues to experience ongoing demand for Nurses across acute hospitals, community services, mental health, intellectual disability, paediatric care and long-term care. The country recruits both domestically and internationally to meet workforce needs.

Question 14

Can overseas Nurses apply for Nurse jobs in Ireland?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Overseas Nurses can work in Ireland once they complete NMBI registration, meet English language requirements (if applicable), and secure a visa or employment permit (where required). Employers frequently support relocation for high-demand specialties.

10 Nursing Jobs

Frequently asked questions

10 Nursing Jobs

Frequently asked questions

How many Nurses are there in Ireland?down

What types of Nurse roles are available in Ireland?down

What kind of pay can I earn in Nurse jobs in Ireland?down

Can newly qualified Nurses work as a Nurse in Ireland?down

Do Nurses need specific training or qualifications in Ireland?down

Do you need experience to be a Nurse in Ireland?down

What personal skills do you need to be a Nurse in Ireland?down

What shifts do Nurses work in Ireland?down

Are sponsorship or relocation options available for Nurses in Ireland?down

What’s the difference between public and private Nurse jobs in Ireland?down

Are there part-time or flexible Nurse jobs in Ireland?down

What career progression opportunities are available for Nurses in Ireland?down

Is there demand for Nurses in Ireland?down

Can overseas Nurses apply for Nurse jobs in Ireland?down