Role of the Research Nurse/Midwife
In 2016, Deirdre Hyland and Mary Clarke Moloney discussed the changing environment of clinical research nursing in Ireland. Article is available to download for free: Spotlight on Clinical Research Nursing
Orientation Pack
The aim of the orientation pack is to standardise the training and education of clinical research nurses and midwives in Ireland. It will orientate you to the clinical research environment and the role and responsibilities of the clinical research nurse.
Learning about clinical research, the people involved, systems and procedures is likely to be an incremental process during the coming months and much learning will occur informally in the workplace. This pack will provide a structure for self-directed and/or supported orientation, and an introduction to clinical research processes and governance. It will provide you with information about the relevant legislation and regulations underpinning clinical research and the role and responsibilities of a clinical research nurse.
Orientation pack is available to download for free: IRNM Orientation Pack_Version 4 (2022)
Competency Pack
This competency pack has been developed to aid the learning and development of clinical research nurses and midwives in Ireland. This document is to support research nurses and midwives in achieving an optimum level of competence to function safely and confidently in their role.
The competencies incorporated into this framework indicate the expected progression for the development of the individual as a clinical research nurse/midwife. It provides the opportunity for the research nurse/midwife to develop in individual topics to order to advance their skill and knowledge. The Competency Framework has been developed to aid research nurses in progressing through the career pathways.
Competency pack is available to download for free: IRNM Clinical Research Nurse Competency Pack
Reports on the CRN/M Workforce
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Initial Report from the 2017-2018 Irish Research Nurses Network Survey on Research Nurses & Midwives
IRNM are delighted to share the initial report from the IRNN’s 2017/2018 Survey on Research Nurses/ Midwives. We would like to thank everyone who participated in this questionnaire. The findings from this survey show that most of the recommendations made in the 2008 report ‘Report on the role of the nurse or midwife in medical led clinical research’ have not been met.
Report: Initial Report from the 2017-2018 Irish Research Nurses Network Survey on Research Nurses & Midwives
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The Whitehouse Report 2018
This report describes the results from Claire Whitehouse’s Florence Nightingale Foundation Scholar project. Aims of this project were to review nursing and midwifery research structures and strategies present in other organisations; to share working practices and processes and to increase international research links with the aim of developing a nursing and midwifery research strategy. The report contains the first model for developing clinical research nursing and midwifery teams (the Whitehouse/Smith model 2018).
The IRNM are delighted to be the Irish lead for this project and to build international links in developing a nursing and midwifery research strategy in Ireland.
Report:The Whitehouse Report 2018
Press Release: Press Release for The Whitehouse Report 2018
Citation: Whitehouse, CL. And Smith, HA. (2018) The Whitehouse Report: Review of research nursing and midwifery structures, strategies and sharing of learning across the UK and Ireland in 2017. The Florence Nightingale Foundation
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Count Me In
‘Count Me In’ Report was launched at the IRNM 12th annual conference on Thursday 14 November 2019 and can be downloaded here: Count Me In Study – Final Report
The purpose of the IRNM’s national ‘Count Me In’ survey was to measure and describe the Clinical Research Nurse (CRN) and Midwife (CRM) workforce in a variety of settings across Ireland.
Reason for this survey is that the number of CRN/Ms working in Ireland is unknown, however it is estimated to be in the region of 200. Many CRN/Ms are based in established healthcare institutions and research centres/facilities, however the posts are filled on a sporadic and ad hoc basis. CRN/Ms may also be employed by commercial organisations or medical research charity groups.
The ‘Count Me In’ Report has been disseminated to stakeholders, such as the Health Research Board (HRB) and the Health Service Executive (HSE) and presented at international research conferences. Findings are being used to advocate for increased recognition of the research nurse workforce, and to justify the development of formalised job descriptions, education and integration within academic and healthcare institutions.
A database to retain the details of research nurses/midwives who have provided consent for future communication is available. If you have not already done so you can submitted your contact information here: https://irnm.ie/crn-database-submission/
If you would like more information please email the IRNM at hello@irnm.ie
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Census for Registered Clinical Research Nurses and Midwives (2021)
The NIHR 70@70 Senior Nurse and Midwife Research Leaders in collaboration with the devolved nation research nursing and midwifery leads and the Irish Research Nurse and Midwives Network, launched a national scoping ‘census’ across the UK & Ireland in Autumn 2021. The census aimed to understand the true size of our research nursing and midwifery workforce through self-reporting of those within this community. This is the first time the NIHR has attempted to identify the size of this community.
Public Patient Involvement (PPI)
(1) PPI Toolkit
Health Research Charities Ireland (HRCI) in conjunction with the TCD PPI Ignite team, have developed a new PPI toolkit.
The toolkit is designed to help identify important aspects to consider when thinking about/engaging in PPI, as well as providing practical advice on ways to take first steps in PPI.
It contains useful information on developing and building PPI relationships, finding collaborators and specific advice and guidance on issues such as running PPI workshops.
The toolkit is available on the HRCI website at: https://hrci.ie/a-new-ppi-toolkit/
(2) IPPOSI’s Tools and Resources for Planning PPI: https://www.ipposi.ie/our-work/research/ppi-clinical-research/
(3) PPI Ignite Network: https://ppinetwork.ie/
(4) NIHR Resources: