Ireland shut down schools, businesses, and non-essential services to protect citizens from the spread of COVID-19.
But COVID affected NMBI and other medical organizations as well. NMBI had to focus on getting more workers on the frontlines of the crisis.
They made it easier to register so more nurses and midwives could join the worldwide fight. Keep reading to learn how COVID affected NMBI throughout the first few months of the pandemic.
Staff Re-Deployment
One of the first ways COVID affected NMBI was that it required the organization to reorganize staff. As COVID cases rose, certain non-essential services were canceled delayed for safety reasons.
This meant that nurses and midwives had to start working in areas other than what they were used to. Healthcare professionals across Ireland had to switch their focus toward more pressing patient needs.
But as COVID cases have started falling in the country, nurses and midwives have been able to return to their prior posts. The past few months have involved a lot of change for healthcare professionals, but NMBI has helped support nurses and midwives.
NMBI has been understanding of nurse and midwife concerns, and they have provided regular updates surrounding the situation.
More Teamwork
Because of the redeployment of healthcare services, nurses and midwives have had to use more teamwork skills. Irish medical council guidelines focus on caring for patients as best as possible.
But if a nurse hasn’t been able to use their experience, teamwork is even more important. Nurses and midwives can learn on the job to better help their coworkers and patients.
COVID affected NMBI and other healthcare organizations in the country. Luckily, nurses and midwives have been able to come together during this time.
From being able to recognize symptoms to treating cases, healthcare workers have always used teamwork, but it’s more important than ever with the unknown that is COVID-19.
Heading to Work
One of the ways COVID affected NMBI early on was with the numbers of nurses and midwives. NMBI has a massive registry of midwives and nurses, but a large portion wasn’t working when the crisis began.
NMBI made it easier for these professionals to start working without having to consult the organization. Individuals currently on the registry are able to start working immediately.
The organization has focused on getting as many registered healthcare professionals to help as possible. That way, the system can treat more patients and give better care.
More nurses and midwives can offer more services, which can also help in treating patients with issues other than COVID-19. After all, people still have other healthcare concerns.
Registration and Restoration
For individuals looking to help, NMBI has made it easy for people to register as a nurse or midwife. By the beginning of April, over 1,000 new nurses joined the registry to help manage the crisis.
Ireland allowed European nurses to gain temporary status to perform services in the country, and there was no fee. This further helped new nurses join the healthcare system.
And for nurses who had retired or changed careers, they could also return. Ireland passed a bill to allow registry restoration without a fee.
Even more nurses and midwives were able to get back to work as long as they could follow Irish medical council ethics and other regulations.
On Call
Another way COVID affected NMBI was that it prompted other organizations to look for nurses. The Health Service Executive (HSE) put out a call to find more nurses to help.
So even if a nurse didn’t visit the NMBI website, they could still learn about the request for work. It helped bring healthcare professionals and organizations together, especially when the COVID crisis reached its worst.
Nurses and midwives were able to start working throughout Ireland to help. Some people may not have known of the demand if it weren’t for the help of the HSE.
Still, the crisis required a bit more help from those in and out of the healthcare field. Even people from other fields looked to help however they could.
Help From Others
Because COVID affected NMBI as well as other industries, other people wanted to help. If someone couldn’t register with NBMI and start working, they could provide financial assistance.
Businesses and individuals have donated money to help nurses travel back to Ireland from wherever they were. The donations also covered a place for nurses to live while working in the country.
As Irish medical guidelines focused on providing better care to patients, the country came together. If a nurse couldn’t afford to get to an Irish hospital or stay nearby, they could get a donation to cover the cost.
The donations further helped new and returning nurses review Irish medical council standards. With that information in hand, the new nurses could provide the best assistance to existing medical staff.
Restarting Services
The ways COVID affected NMBI didn’t stop there. As cases in Ireland have fallen, nurses and midwives have been able to return to other services.
Non-essential services were able to open back up in waves. Nurses and midwives could begin to focus on their areas of specialty again.
Healthcare professionals across Ireland are still focusing on treating COVID-19 patients. But the great work done early on has allowed nurses to now focus on other areas of care.
People in Ireland can get care that may not have been urgent but that is still important.
Preventing Healthcare-Associated Infections
While COVID affected NMBI nurses and midwives early on, it’s still important. Cases may be dropping, but healthcare professionals need to take special care to ensure patient safety.
Nurses and midwives need to follow certain safety practices. That way, they can provide necessary services to patients with or without COVID-19.
Healthcare is vital to many people, but it doesn’t come without risks. If a nurse goes from treating a COVID patient to treating someone without the virus, the nurse could unknowingly spread the infection.
It’s essential for nurses, midwives, and other professionals to clean surfaces and rooms and to take other precautions. That way, patients can get the care they need without risking getting COVID.
Understanding New Guidelines
As COVID and the situation evolves, it’s important to understand the Irish medical council guidelines. New infection prevention and control (IPC) guidelines can come out at any time, and they’re for everyone’s best interest.
While nurses used to learn the guidelines every so often, now they need to stay up-to-date each month or week. IPC guidelines require nurses to provide a safe area to provide care.
The area should help to reduce transmission of diseases. While it may not be possible to eliminate the risk, it should be as small as possible.
Nurses and midwives should follow updates from NMBI and other organizations. That way, everyone can provide fantastic care to patients across Ireland.
Background Information
IPC guidelines include background information that is essential for new nurses to read. If someone has just joined or rejoined the field, they need to learn what has happened before.
That way, they can get up to speed with how everything works and how to perform services.
However, experienced nurses and midwives should also review background information. It can help to review these standards as part of an annual review now and in the future.
That way, nurses can continue to provide quality care long after COVID. Along with background information, nurses and midwives should read and understand common terms, such as research evidence and practical information.
Responsibilities and Specifics
All healthcare and support staff should review their responsibilities detailed in the IPC guidelines. The section focuses on how to manage healthcare facilities and how to report work practices.
Nurses and midwives should review how to implement safe work practices and how to protect themselves. Healthcare workers also need to know what training and education they need to stay up-to-date throughout the COVID crisis.
While NMBI doesn’t set these guidelines, anyone on the registry needs to follow them. And because COVID affected NMBI registered nurses and midwives, these guidelines are just as connected to the organization.
Reopening
For better or worse, NMBI hasn’t sent many updates out since April. That may be a good sign that nothing has changed.
But there’s no denying how COVID affected NMBI operation. The board itself has had to shift to allow new and returning nurses to register for free.
It’s unclear how the COVID crisis will progress in the future. Organizations like NMBI will have to review changes and relay updates to nurses and midwives.
As a healthcare organization, NMBI will have to be at the forefront of the fight against COVID.
While NMBI has had to change some standards of care, the board needs to make sure nurses and midwives continue normal care practices. While COVID patients will come to hospitals, so will patients with other conditions.
It’s going to be a tough balance for a while, and organizations like NMBI can help nurses and hospitals do the best they can.
The Many Ways COVID Affected NMBI
COVID affected NMBI in many ways, especially early on. But as COVID cases fall, NMBI guidance is still essential for nurses and midwives across Ireland.
As the country slowly opens up and begins non-essential services, nurses need to know how to keep patients safe. And organizations like NMBI are where healthcare professionals are likely to look.
Are you looking to help NMBI and other organizations fight COVID? Apply for a medical job today using the button below.