All General Practice Nurses must be registered general nurses. There is no mandatory education or training to become a General Practice Nurse.
Ideally, General Practice Nurses should have at least 2 years post-registration general nursing experience. However, 4 to 5 years post-graduate experience is more desirable. This enables nurses to develop their competencies in a broader clinical background.
A new General Practice Nurse may not have all the skills for primary care initially. They can develop their skills through ongoing education and training.
Practice populations and healthcare needs vary between practices.
General Practice Nursing posts are often advertised locally by GPs.
Department of Health Circular 5-89 (PDF, 2 pages, 23KB)
Further education
General Practice Nurses may undertake further education. For example, education on:
- respiratory management
- diabetes management
- cardiovascular disease management
- women's health
- cancer screening
- immunisation
Maternity services
A General Practice Nurse providing maternity services must be a competent registered midwife.
General practitioners hold the Maternal and Infant Care Scheme contract. This provides free maternity services in general practice to all pregnant women.
This care may be provided by the General Practice Nurse if they:
- are a registered midwife (RM)
- have appropriate clinical indemnity
Related topics
Practice Standards for Midwives, NMBI (PDF, 331KB, 28 pages)
National Maternity Strategy 2016-2026 (PDF, 9.93MB, 133 pages)
National Standards for Safer Better Maternity Services, HIQA (PDF, 4.39MB, 188 pages)
