SERVICES for patients with respiratory and skin conditions across the UL Hospitals Group are being significantly enhanced with confirmation that the group has received accreditation for two new RANP (registered advanced nurse practitioner) posts.
RANPs are the highest level of clinical experts in the nursing profession in Ireland today.
The new posts in the UL Hospitals Group are also nationally significant in being the first in the country covering dermatology and adult respiratory services.
Paula Ryan from Oola (respiratory) and Sheila Ryan from Ahane (dermatology) have been selected for the posts and it is expected that they will be officially registered as ANPs in the coming months.
It follows UL Hospitals receiving accreditation from the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland to create the posts, a crucial step in the process.
Margaret Gleeson, chief director of Nursing and Midwifery, UL Hospitals Group, said: “This is a hugely positive development for our patients in terms of access to the service, enhancing the patient experience and leading to better outcomes. It is also a very positive step for UL Hospitals Group and more broadly for the evolution of the nursing profession in Ireland.
“As chief director of Nursing and Midwifery for the group, I am delighted that we have been successful in terms of the site being accredited for our ANP candidates. These are the first two posts of their kind in the country and in Sheila and Paula, we are very fortunate to have two outstanding nurses to fill these positions.”
Ms Gleeson added that her vision for the group is to develop more of these roles in the future “based on service need”.
To become an ANP, a nurse must have a Masters degree or higher, have at least five years experience and three years in a specialty.
