Career guide · Care/Healthcare

Nurse.

Also known as Registered general nurse, Staff nurse

Nurses provide clinical care, assessment and treatment to patients in hospitals, community settings and care homes across Ireland, and must hold NMBI registration to practise.

What this role involves

Nurses deliver hands-on clinical care in hospitals, community services, nursing homes and specialist settings throughout Ireland. Their work includes assessing patients, administering medication and treatments, monitoring conditions, supporting recovery, and coordinating with doctors and multidisciplinary teams. To practise, nurses must be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI), which sets education, language and competence requirements. Nursing is a regulated profession with sustained demand across many specialities and regions of the country.

When this role fits

Likely a fit when

  • you hold or can obtain NMBI registration
  • your duties are clinical nursing rather than general care assistance

Likely not a fit when

  • your role is a non-clinical care assistant position
  • you are not eligible for NMBI registration

Official occupation classification

Roles like this usually map to the following SOC 2010 occupation code, which Ireland’s Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment uses on its occupation lists.

Employment permit route signal

Possible but conditional

This is an occupation-level signal only. The exact duties, salary, qualifications, employer and permit route decide the outcome.

  • The Critical Skills list entry contains specific skills, qualifications, experience, or employment-context wording; the broad SOC category alone is not enough.
Check an occupation permit signal Explore employment permits

This is an occupation-level signal only. It is not a determination of eligibility, sponsorship, or permit approval.

Typical skills and qualifications

Certifications

  • NMBI registration

Language

  • English (CEFR B2)

Transferable skills

  • Communication
  • Teamwork

Find licensed recruitment agencies

IrishTalents does not select or submit candidates and is not a licensed employment agency. The agency listings below reflect the wording found on agency websites only — not vacancies, sponsorship, or suitability.

Before you rely on a permit pathway

Depending on the exact duties, salary and employer, some roles in this area may be considered under Ireland's General Employment Permit or Critical Skills Employment Permit routes, while others may fall on the ineligible list. This is general information only, not immigration advice, and official eligibility depends on the current occupation lists and your individual circumstances.

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About this guide

IrishTalents provides this information for general guidance only. IrishTalents is not a licensed employment agency and does not select, submit, or place candidates. This page does not determine eligibility, sponsorship, or agency suitability.

Source: IrishTalents editorial content, aligned to the UK SOC 2010 occupation classification used by Ireland's Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.