Frequently asked questions
Nurse Jobs
Discover nurse roles nationwide with staffing agencies, as well as public and private healthcare providers. Scroll down for insights into nurses do, how to become one, typical employers, pay bands, and FAQs.
What Does a Nurse Do?
Nurses in Ireland deliver essential care across diverse healthcare environments such as hospital wards, theatres, community clinics, long-term care settings and patient homes. They work within a multi-disciplinary team alongside doctors, allied health professionals, healthcare assistants and support staff to assess, plan and implement nursing care for patients with acute illness, chronic conditions, mental health needs and rehabilitation requirements. Nurses support people of all ages, from paediatric to geriatric patients, and are employed by both public providers like the HSE (Health Service Executive) and private hospitals or community health services. Their role combines clinical skills, compassionate communication, and clinical judgement to improve patient outcomes.
Key duties include:
- Assessing patient health and recording vital signs
- Administering medications and treatments
- Coordinating care with healthcare professionals
- Educating patients and families on recovery plans
- Supporting patients in theatre and recovery care
How to Become a Nurse
To become a nurse in Ireland, candidates must complete recognised nursing education and register with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI). Most nurses study a Level 8 Bachelor of Science in Nursing or equivalent nursing degree through a Higher Education Institution (HEI) and meet academic requirements such as Leaving Certificate standards in English or Irish, Maths and Science subjects. After passing required exams and clinical placements, graduates apply to the NMBI for registration, which legally permits them to practice.
Irish nursing pathways also include Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) Level 5/6 routes, which help bridge to degree programmes, and there are opportunities for mature applicants based on prior experience and education. International nurses wanting to work in Ireland must apply for NMBI registration and, if from outside the EU/EEA, obtain a valid employment permit before starting work. Practical skills such as strong communication, clinical judgement and empathy are essential to succeed in Nurse jobs across Ireland.
Being a good listener is the best attribute of a nurse. It's about listening to a patient's problems and also being able to listen to issues which are unsaid. It's a bit like detective work - you have to be able to pick up on everything they say, even the smallest of things, to be able to resolve the issue and make them better.
Claire Quinn, Student Nurse and Vlogger
You can read Claire’s full article about working as a nurse in Ireland here.
Our Nurse Career Guide
This information comes from our own Nurse Career Guide which you can jump into for a full, deep dive into everything you need to know about becoming a [Occupation] - career pathways, education, qualifications and registration details. It also includes insights from people who do this job so you can hear directly from those who have gone before you.
Typical Employers of Nurses
- HSE public hospitals and health services
- Private hospitals and healthcare groups
- Healthcare agencies & recruitment firms
- Community health providers, GP practices and elder-care services
Some of our current employers hiring for nurses include:
Pay and Benefits for Nurse Jobs
The average annual salary for a Nurse in Ireland is around €45,337 per year, with entry-level roles starting nearer €30,000 and experienced nurses or specialists earning up to €55,000+ depending on role and location. Here’s an example of approximate ranges:
- Staff Nurse (public sector start): ~€30,600–€35,000
- Experienced Registered Nurse: ~€40,000–€50,000
- Clinical Nurse Specialist / Advanced Roles: ~€55,000–€70,000+ (varies by speciality and experience)
Pay can vary based on location (e.g., Dublin often higher than regional roles) and sector. Nurses in Ireland also benefit from structured pay scales, paid annual leave, pension contributions and shift differentials for nights and weekends.
Our Nurse Pay Guide
This information comes from our own Nurse Pay Guide which you can jump into for a full, deep dive into salary and pay rates for this job role. We keep all of our pages up to date, using trusted sources and humans, so this is accurate information.
Career Progression for Nurses
Nurses in Ireland can advance from Staff Nurse through senior clinical and managerial roles such as Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Manager or Advanced Nurse Practitioner. There are opportunities to specialise (e.g., mental health, paediatrics, critical care) or move into leadership, education and research pathways to build a long-term nursing career.
So there are three ways an Irish nurse could progress through the system; it's through improving your clinical skills, going into education and research and also management.
Claire Quinn, Student Nurse and Vlogger
You can read Claire’s complete blog on how an Irish nurse can progress through the system here.