Biography
Mairead is Assistant Professor at the Department of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Education and Health Sciences, University of Limerick. She is a graduate of the University of Limerick (MSc 2014; BSc 2005), University of Galway (PGDip Clinical Education 2011) and a Registered General Nurse (St Vincent's University Hospital Dublin 1999) with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).Mairead joined the University of Limerick in 2006 and has significant experience in nursing education, particularly in clinical skills pedagogies, simulation-based education, curriculum design, and is a founding member of Clinical Skills Network Ireland. Prior to UL, Mairead worked with the Health Service Executive as a Clinical Nurse Specialist, her background experience is in critical care, and specialist respiratory and cardiac nursing.
In 2023, Mairead received the UL Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching. She currently teaches across the undergraduate and postgraduate nursing and midwifery programmes. Mairead's research is grounded in nursing education and practice, as a multifaceted theme this includes nursing care, nursing education, simulation-based education and implementation science. She is very interested in the translation of research to practice and how this informs evidence-based care. Most recently her PhD work is focused on the implementation of reasonable adjustments in acute healthcare for people with intellectual disability.
Research Interests
Mairead's research is grounded in nursing education and practice, as a multifaceted theme this includes nursing care, nursing education, simulation-based education and implementation science. She is very interested in the translation of research to practice and how it informs evidence-based care. Most recently her work is focused on the implementation of reasonable adjustments in acute healthcare for people with intellectual disability.Professional Activities
Employment
- 2023 University of Limerick - Assistant Professor
- 2022 University of Limerick - Clinical Skills Coordinator
- 2020 University of Limerick - SiNM Project
- 2006 University of Limerick - Clinical Skills Coordinator
- 2005 Health Service Executive - Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Health Service Executive - Critical Care Staff Nurse - University Hospital Limerick
- Health Service Executive - Staff Nurse - St Johns Hospital, Limerick
- Health Service Executive - Staff Nurse - St Vincent's Hospital, Dublin
- Health Service Executive - Student Nurse
Award
- 2023 - UL Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching
- 2021 - Athena SWAN Bronze Award
Education
- 2014 University of Limerick - Master of Science (MSc)
- 2011 National University of Ireland, Galway - Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (Clinical Education)
- 2005 University of Limerick - Bachelor of Science (BSc)
- 1999 Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland, and St Vincent's University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin 4. - Registered General Nurse (RGN)
Committee
- 2017-2022 Athena Swan, DNM, UL,
- 2011-2023 Clinical Skills Network Ireland (National Group),
- 2016-2019 Undergraduate Course Board Midwifery, DNM, UL,
- 2010-2019 Teaching and Learning Committee, DNM, UL,
- 2010-2012 Undergraduate Marketing Committee, DNM, UL,
- 2006-2007 Clinical Skills Working Group, DNM, UL,
Association
- Member, Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI)
- Founding Member, Clinical Skills Network Ireland (National Group)
Other
- 2011-2020 OCASE Examiner for the Graduate Entry Medical School. Objective Clinical and Anatomy Skills Exams (OCASE).
- 2018 OCASE Examiner for the Certificate in Nurse/Midwife Prescribing.
Outreach
- 2011-2019 Coordinates/develops/designs the annual DNM summer camp aimed at secondary school students who have an interest in nursing and/or midwifery as a career choice. The camp is now in its 10th year.
- HSE Mid West Community Healthcare Infection Prevention and Control Teams - Provided online support and education sessions for community services in the Mid West during the Spring / Summer 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.