About the Irish Practice Nurses Association

The Irish Practice Nurses Association (IPNA) is a professional membership association of Practice Nurses and was granted Charitable Tax Exemption (CHY 17932) in June 2008.

The main objective of the association is the advancement of education in general practice in Ireland by promoting and assisting nurses in further education programmes and to provide a forum for the dissemination of information on developments in the general Practice Nursing field which will promote the highest standards of care to benefit the community.

From its' humble beginnings in the early 1990’s as a small group of Practice Nurses who decided to meet regularly to share ideas and information, it has expanded steadily and now boasts over 700 Practice Nurse members nationwide, with 19 Branches holding monthly meetings. Each of these monthly Branch meetings includes an educational session on a topic relevant to Practice Nursing, and therefore provides a vital opportunity for Practice Nurses to access Continuing Nurse Education. The Annual Educational Conference and the bi-monthly journal “Nursing in General Practice” provide even more education and up-to-date clinical information specific to Practice Nursing.

Aside from the very much appreciated help from the National Council in hosting our first website, the IPNA has never received any grants or funding from the Department of Health. The growth and successful development of the IPNA can be solely attributed to the hard work of many dedicated Practice Nurses who have given so generously of their own time over the years. The IPNA is also immensely grateful to the many generous sponsors of our branch meetings and Annual Conference.

IPNA Logo

The IPNA logo was designed in 1990 by Kate MacCormack (daughter of Netta Williams - one of the IPNA's founding members) when she was a 1st year student in the National College of Art & Design. The four people represent a family and the hand behind them represents the Practice Nurse supporting the family. The hand also symbolises the "hands-on" clinical nursing care provided by Practice Nurses.

Membership

Membership of the IPNA is available to Registered General Nurses who are currently working in General Practice in the Republic of Ireland. To join the IPNA, please see the Membership page of this website. Alternatively, you can contact Tracey Rooney (part-time Membership Secretary) at mobile: 086-2634917 or e-mail: membership@irishpracticenurses.ie

Benefits of membership include:

Invitation to the monthly educational meetings of your local IPNA branch, which include expert guest speakers who will talk about clinical/professional/current issues that are relevant to Practice Nursing.
Invitation to the Annual IPNA Educational Conference & AGM – a weekend of education, peer support, meeting old friends and making new ones!
Free delivery of the bi-monthly IPNA journal “Nursing in General Practice”.
Exclusive access to the Members’ page of the IPNA Website.
A copy of the “IPNA Members Resource Pack and Personal Portfolio”, which has been specially designed for Practice Nurses to keep records of their Continuing Nurse Education in order to build up their Professional Development Portfolio.
The option to receive relevant e-mail and/or text alerts from the IPNA.
The option to receive information by post from sources other than IPNA regarding relevant study days, courses, products etc.

Invaluable contact with other Practice Nurses in your area, to share ideas and discuss common difficulties.

Branches of the Irish Practice Nurses Association

Cavan / Monaghan

Clare

Cork

Donegal

Dublin

Galway

Kerry

Kildare / Carlow

Kilkenny

Limerick / North Tipperary

Louth / Meath

Mayo

Midlands Roscommon

Sligo / Leitrim

South Tipperary

Waterford

Wexford

Wicklow

IPNA Timeline

Click on any year for more information on our timeline

2009

Memberships & Renewals now managed centrally by Membership Secretary.
Development of Research page on IPNA website.
Creation of Membership page on IPNA website, which includes the option to download a Membership Form.
3rd nationwide count reveals that there are 1,519 Practice Nurses working in the Republic of Ireland.

2008

First issue of "Nursing in General Practice" Journal is published.
IPNA co-organise the inaugural All-Ireland Nursing in the Community Conference with the ICHN and CPHVA (N.I.)
New independent website designed and posted on the internet.
2nd nationwide count of Practice Nurses reveals that there are now 1,461 working in the Republic of Ireland.
2nd revision of Articles of Association by postal vote.
IPNA is granted Charitable Tax Exemption by Revenue Commissioners.
Full Membership Survey carried out.

2007

Employment of part-time membership secretary
1st complete review of Articles of Association with postal vote.
IPNA Clinical Award developed.
Final issue of "Irish Practice Nurse" Journal is published.

2006

Employment of part-time administrator.
Conference Coordinator position created on 3 year fixed term basis.
IPNA Branch Poster Award developed.
Valere Mangan IPNA Loyalty Award developed.
A nationwide count of Practice Nurses reveals that there are now 1,239 working in the Republic of Ireland.
A second Practice Nurse is accredited as ANP in Primary Care.
IPNA works with ICGP to update the publication "The Practice Nurse - a Guide to Nursing in General Practice".
IPNA, with the support of ProMed, produces the "IPNA Members Resource Pack and Personal Portfolio".

2005

First accreditation of a Practice Nurse as ANP in Primary Care.
IPNA Bursary re-introduced.

2004

IPNA Conference Coordinator post created for pilot period of 2 years.

2003

First IPNA website developed and hosted by National Council for the Professional Development of Nursing & Midwifery.

2002

First of 11 Professional Development Coordinator for Practice Nurses posts is filled.

2001

Several Practice Nurses receive CNS grade.

2000

IPNA works to ensure that the recommendation of the Commission on Nursing to create Practice Nurse Facilitator posts (which would later be re-titled "Professional Development Coordinators for Practice Nurses") is implementated.

1999

First issue of "Irish Practice Nurse" Journal is published.

1998

Commission on Nursing is published by the Dept of Health.

1997

IPNA members work hard to ensure that Practice Nurses are included in the forthcoming Commission on Nursing. Several Submissions are made.

1996

"Introduction to Practice Nursing" course available in RCSI and continues until 2002.

1995

First IPNA Annual Conference & AGM held in Galway.

1994

Inaugural National Executive Committee meeting.
Registration of the name "Irish Practice Nurses Association" with Companies Registration Office.
Articles of Association finalised and signed.

1993

6th November, first General Meeting of IPNA.
Proposed Articles of Association discussed.

1990

Practice Nurses, like all nurses, are required by An Bord Altranais to maintain clinical competence. However no specific formal education exists, so Practice Nurses around Ireland start to meet in small groups to share information and source relevant education.
IPNA logo designed by Kate MacCormack (daughter of Netta Williams, a founding member of the IPNA).

1989

Circular 5/89 from Department of Health announces new subsidy available to GPs to assist with the cost of employing a Practice Nurse.

Irish Practice Nurses Association - IrishPracticeNurses.ie