A new Career and Development Model for Nursing and Midwifery to
support professional development and workforce retention has been
formally launched.
The model is based around two key interrelated components –
Nursing & Midwifery Careers and the Learning and Development
Framework.
The first outlines clear, competency-based career pathways as
well as detailing the knowledge, skills and experience required
to progress within them. This is supported by a comprehensive
learning and development framework to help individuals and
organisations identify and plan meaningful education and
development opportunities.
Health Minister said: “Earlier this
year I launched my three-year strategic Reset Plan built on three
pillars: Stabilisation; Reform and Delivery.
“These are practical steps to restore confidence in our
system and deliver care that is timely, safe, and
equitable.
“Nurses and midwives are at the heart of this. Yet we
cannot deliver reform without investing in and supporting our
workforce, encouraging career development and focusing on
workforce retention. That is why the launch of the Career
Development Model for Nursing and Midwifery is so
important.
“This model provides clear pathways for progression and
personal development, whether in clinical practice, leadership,
education, or research. It sends a powerful message: we value
your expertise, and we will support your growth.”
The model, which was commissioned by the Department's Chief
Nursing Officer and produced by the Northern Ireland Practice
& Education Council for Nursing & Midwifery (NIPEC), is
intended for the wider Nursing and Midwifery family, including
Nursing or Midwifery Assistants / Support Workers working in a
range of settings and sectors across Northern Ireland, as well as
students.
It can help to benchmark knowledge and skills and support
professional and personal development at every level across a
career journey. It focuses on the essential knowledge, skills and
behaviours needed to underpin the delivery of safe and effective
care at all levels of practice.
Professor Maria McIlgorm, Chief Nursing Officer, said: “This
launch is a milestone for Nursing and Midwifery in Northern
Ireland and a key step in delivering on the priorities as set out
in Shaping Our Future: The Strategic Vision for Nursing and
Midwifery 2023 - 2028. It reflects our commitment to invest in
people and to maximise the potential of the nursing and midwifery
workforce to create a modern, sustainable health and social care
system.
“The NI Career and Development model provides structured routes
for advancement across three core career pathways - clinical
practice, operational management, and education and research -
each making professional development visible and achievable.
“It offers a new approach to continuing professional development
/ education and commissioning. It will allow us to build and
enable the workforce of tomorrow to more effectively meet the
needs of the population.
“The HSC Reset Plan, launched in July, focuses on
how we will stabilise, transform and deliver services to meet the
current and future needs of our population. Crucially, this model
underpins the reset agenda by connecting workforce strategy to
service redesign.”
The model was formally launched this week at NIPEC's annual
conference.
Professor Linda Kelly, NIPEC Chief Executive, said: “This new NI
Career and Development Model for Nursing and Midwifery has been
co-produced with extensive engagement from nurses and midwives
across a wide range of roles, including students, nursing
assistants, maternity support workers, and registered
practitioners. It is fitting for the model to have been launched
at the NIPEC conference with many colleagues present who helped
develop it.”
Notes to editors:
- The Career & Development Model can be accessed in full
nursingandmidwiferycareersni.hscni.net/.
- Shaping our Future: A Vision for Nursing and Midwifery in
Northern Ireland: 2023 – 2028 can be read here.
