In the debut episode of NMBI Voice, host Kathyann Barrett is joined by Lorraine Clarke Bishop, Interim Director of Education, Policy, and Standards at the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland, to explore the newly updated Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics for Registered Nurses and Registered Midwives. Together they trace Lorraine’s own journey into nursing and reflect on how the Code first shaped her practice, before diving into why it remains central for over 90,000 nurses and midwives across Ireland today. From guiding everyday decision-making to handling ethical dilemmas, patient safety, cultural sensitivity, accountability, and even the challenges of social media and emerging technologies, the conversation shows how the Code is both a safeguard and an empowering framework for professionals. Listeners will hear practical examples of the Code in action — from medication safety to advocating for patients and supporting colleagues — and learn why familiarity with it is essential at every stage of a nursing or midwifery career. Whether you’re a student, a newly qualified nurse, a seasoned midwife, or working in leadership or regulation, this episode offers an engaging introduction to the Code as a living document — one that protects patients, strengthens trust, and supports the profession in a rapidly changing healthcare landscape. THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT Why Lorraine first chose nursing — and how the Code shaped her earliest experiences as a student.How the Code works as a daily “moral compass” for nurses and midwives in every setting.Practical examples of the Code in action: from medication safety to cultural sensitivity and palliative care.Why accountability, competence, respect, trust, and leadership are at the heart of professional practice.How the updated Code addresses modern challenges like social media, human rights, AI and sustainability.The importance of making the Code a “living document” through conversations, training, and peer support.Why compliance with the Code protects both patients and the integrity of the nursing and midwifery profession.GUEST DETAILS Lorraine Clarke Bishop currently serves as the Interim Director of Education, Policy, and Standards. She is a registered general nurse, having trained at the Eastern Area College of Nursing (Southside) in Belfast. Lorraine has over 30 years of experience in nursing across various healthcare settings in Ireland, the United States of America and Saudi Arabia, both in the public and private sectors. Her career encompasses significant front-line and leadership roles. Prior to employment within NMBI, Lorraine held the role of Clinical Placement Co-ordinator and was a part-time lecturer/teacher, with over 19 years of experience in nurse education. She holds a Master's degree in Healthcare Ethics and Law and a professional certificate in Governance. Lorraine was an elected member of the NMBI Board in 2015, where she chaired both the Education, Training and Standards Committee and the Fitness to Practise Committee until taking up the role of Professional Officer in the Education, Policy and Standards Department in June 2021. Lorraine played a pivotal role in developing the first regulatory framework aimed at ensuring consistency in the implementation of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) across educational bodies providing graduate nursing programmes in Ireland. Most recently, she oversaw the revision of the Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics for Registered Nurses and Registered Midwives, incorporating the Scope of Practice and Professional Guidance (2024). As the Interim Director, Lorraine leads a dynamic and responsive team committed to the ongoing transformation of undergraduate nurse education, working closely with educational bodies and stakeholders across both clinical and academic settings. MORE INFORMATION NMBI is the statutory body which sets the standards for the education, registration and professional conduct of nurses and midwives. We advise on how nurses and midwives should provide care to patients, their families and society. Our mission is to protect the public and the integrity of the professions of nursing and midwifery through the promotion of high standards of education, training, and professional conduct. We achieve this by providing leadership to registered nurses and midwives to support them to deliver safe care through innovative and proactive professional regulation. Our functions in safeguarding the public involve establishing and maintaining the Register of Nurses and Midwives. We also establish procedures and criteria for the assessment and registration of nurses and midwives. Visit the Registration section of our website to learn more. Additionally, we set the standards and requirements for nursing and midwifery education programmes. We approve education programmes and further education programmes for the purposes for nurses and midwives. Visit NMBI.ie to learn more. QUOTES The Code isn’t just about on the days when everything goes right — it’s to be your moral compass when you are really challenged. – Lorraine Clarke BishopEverything we do in healthcare is about safety and putting the patient at the centre of it. – Lorraine Clarke BishopNot being familiar with the Code is not a defence — it’s our responsibility as professionals to know it. – Lorraine Clarke BishopThe Code shouldn’t restrict you; it should empower you. It’s an enabling framework. – Lorraine Clarke BishopRead the Code, have the conversations, and make it real in your daily practice. – Lorraine Clarke BishopKEYWORDS#NMBIVoice #Nursing #Midwifery #CodeOfConduct #PatientSafety #ProfessionalPractice #HealthcareEthics #Accountability #Trust #Leadership #NMBI
